How to Move a 250lb Air Compressor with a BX FEL?

[Bassicfun]

Alright, found a killer deal on an air compressor (60 gallon vertical tank for size reference), it is being sent by freight to me. 240-250lbs total.

Question is, how do you propose I get this thing off the semi trailer? There is a $125 lift-gate fee, so I plan to find a way to do it myself with the tractor.

BX2660, and I'll likely put on my 50" rototiller on the rear for counter measure, and the 240lb driver should help as well.

Questions in my mind are how high I can have the bucket functionally to lift/hold this beast, and then how to tie it to it, or chain it to the FEL to lower it safely. I am imagining ONCE LOWERED I'll be in decent shape to move it into the garage, but the initial way to pick it up, without tipping tractor or having the compressor move/shift/swing/fall would be appreciated, ESP if anyone has used one like this before and has pictures please share.

Thanks in advance for any extra insight.

[picture of air compressor for reference]

 

[brin]

Alright, found a killer deal on an air compressor (60 gallon vertical tank for size reference), it is being sent by freight to me. 240-250lbs total.

Question is, how do you propose I get this thing off the semi trailer? There is a $125 lift-gate fee, so I plan to find a way to do it myself with the tractor.

BX2660, and I'll likely put on my 50" rototiller on the rear for counter measure, and the 240lb driver should help as well.

Questions in my mind are how high I can have the bucket functionally to lift/hold this beast, and then how to tie it to it, or chain it to the FEL to lower it safely. I am imagining ONCE LOWERED I'll be in decent shape to move it into the garage, but the initial way to pick it up, without tipping tractor or having the compressor move/shift/swing/fall would be appreciated, ESP if anyone has used one like this before and has pictures please share.

Thanks in advance for any extra insight.

[picture of air compressor for reference]

250 pounds is not very much weight at all and you will have the counter balance on the back with the tiller you mentioned. Most likely the compressor will be delivered in a crate and you should be able to lay it in your bucket on it's side - not standing straight up. Even if it is not in a crate, which I can't imagine , then lay some blankets down in your loader bucket and still load it on it's side and as you pull away from the lift gate immediately begin lowering your bucket to about 3 inches off the ground and you should be just fine...remember always with the FEL - low and slow are the two operative cautionary words to never forget. Center the compressor in your bucket..You'll be fine.

 

[bpattie]

not sure how tall that would be in the shipping box, but could it be laid down in your bucket?? another thought would be if you can stand it in your bucket and tie or chain it into bucket. if you have or can get a set of pallet forks for you bucket you could also use those to unload it either laying a piece of plywood across the forks or if shipped on a pallet just lift the pallet. I don't think you have to worry too much about tipping over as long as the unloading area is pretty level and you are slow and careful with it until you clear it off the trailer.

 

[Randyj]

Quick attach forks would be nice for this.

But you may be able to scoop the pallet bottom
to the floor of your bucket, then, secure it with ratcheting
Ty-Downs.

 

[Bassicfun]

Thanks, I definitely understand keeping COG as low as possible. I am 99% sure it is not in a crate, minus just a maybe 2'x2' pallet it is bolted to on the bottom.

If I pad and lay it on it's side, I guess my concerns were:
1. I understand a compressor shouldn't be set on it's side due to oil possibly entering the air chambers.
2. with the sides of the bucket as high as they are, I thought it would have a tendency to spill out/over.

I recently bought a snow plow (6'6") made for a truck, and it was easily over 300+ lbs.. but the FEL didn't like that so much.. I picked it up, but definitely felt one rear tire picking up, but perhaps it was just a matter of it being 'too far' out infront of the FEL pins. I'll get some more smaller ratchet straps (the ones I have I shortened for use on the car hauler) and go that route I guess.

 

[pitt_md]

Thanks, I definitely understand keeping COG as low as possible. I am 99% sure it is not in a crate, minus just a maybe 2'x2' pallet it is bolted to on the bottom.

If I pad and lay it on it's side, I guess my concerns were:
1. I understand a compressor shouldn't be set on it's side due to oil possibly entering the air chambers.
2. with the sides of the bucket as high as they are, I thought it would have a tendency to spill out/over.

I recently bought a snow plow (6'6") made for a truck, and it was easily over 300+ lbs.. but the FEL didn't like that so much.. I picked it up, but definitely felt one rear tire picking up, but perhaps it was just a matter of it being 'too far' out infront of the FEL pins. I'll get some more smaller ratchet straps (the ones I have I shortened for use on the car hauler) and go that route I guess.

I got a compressor just like this last year and it came straped down on a pallet in a box. You do not want to tip this on its side due to the oil as you mentioned. I am not sure how high your FEL will get and it might be a problem.
I really think the best solution is to get a friend and do it by hand. 250 lbs. would not be a problem for two healty guys.

 

[Bassicfun]

Well I am going to pick up some more ratchet straps, and wondering again about strapping it down, VERTICAL with the small pallet in the bucket... so that I can tip it a minor amount, keep 90% of the weight over the bucket itself... if that is the case, then the FEL bucket just needs to meet the floor of the frieght trailer.

 

[jnjpream]

Is it brand new? I haven't seen a new compressor with oil in the crank case, usually they are shipped dry. If there is oil in it, see if the driver will allow you to drain it quickly (bring a crescent wrench and a bucket), then tip it on its side to unload it.

If you're worried about the oil on top of the cylinders, just set it upright for a night.

They really aren't that bad to unload by hand. I hauled one from MN to CO (on it's side). When in CO my wife helped to unload it. I grabbed the heavier compressor side and she held onto the feet of it.

 

[Bassicfun]

It is a reconditioned.. so I would imagine w/ oil. (but for $159 vs $849.. It's AOK with me!)

I think I'll try to keep it mostly vertical, either see if the driver can lend a hand off-loading it, and if not, use the kubota for help.

 

[brandoro]

I have one almost exactly like that, 60 gallon vertical tank, different brand and unloaded it off a pickup with the FEL. It was lagged to a small pallet but no crate and it was filled with oil. I walked the pallet into the bucket, put a ratchet strap around the tank to the top of the bucket and very carefully lifted it clear of the truck and backed away then lowered it gradually keeping the compressor near vertical but leaned slightly away from the tractor so it was against the strap and couldn't tip back onto the tractor. Slow and steady is the answer here, not the time to show off how fast you can be.
I have clamp on pallet forks now and have used them unloading other things from trucks or trailers, much better but didn't have them yet when the compressor arrived.