Way for Two People to Tote a Battery Up and Down a Hill?

[VaBeekeeper]

Hi folks,

I have a jon boat I keep down at a landing situated at the end of an old logging trail, using my tractor carry-all to take the 50 pound marine battery to and from the landing. Thing is, the last fifty yards going down to the water are on a hill with a lot of trees, which means I can't get the tractor close to the dock. Lugging that battery solo on an incline is a real chore, one that could do a number on my back if I happened to bend the wrong way, and I'd like to lighten the load by having a second person assist me. However, the strap on the battery is only wide enough to make it practical for one person to tote it. Does anyone know whether there's a product out there to allow two people to transport a battery, for example a battery case with two sturdy handles? I'm almost embarrassed to ask this question, as I'm sure I could make up something (it's obviously not rocket science), but I'm just wondering if there might already be a product out there that fits the bill.

 

[bcp]

Can you walk side-by-side?




Or run a cable from a bottom tree to a top tree. Hang a pulley on it to support the battery. Run a line from the pulley to the tractor. Drive the tractor back and forth to lift and lower the battery.

Similar to this logging rigging.



Bruce

 

[4570Man]

Is using 2 smaller batteries an option? Another potential option would be to put the battery on a wagon and pull the wagon up and down with the tractor.

 

[RNeumann]

Is using 2 smaller batteries an option? Another potential option would be to put the battery on a wagon and pull the wagon up and down with the tractor.

Yep exactly what I was thinking. Optima makes some 3 cell 6 volt batts that could be wired in series. The nice thing about those is they won’t spill or leak acid- no ruined clothes etc!!

The 6 volt batts can go in a backpack or similar.

 

[square1]

Or run a cable from a bottom tree to a top tree. Hang a pulley on it to support the battery. Run a line from the pulley to the tractor. Drive the tractor back and forth to lift and lower the battery.

Similar to this logging rigging.

View attachment 530451

Bruce

...or winch (electric or manual) in place of the tractor.

How often, and I'll admit I'm curious as to why, do you do this?

 

[woody]

maybe a set of hand trucks or wagon I would think two people walking down a hill would be an accident waiting to happen. slips and falls and a battery in the water sort of thing.

 

[smstonypoint]

maybe a set of hand trucks or wagon I would think two people walking down a hill would be an accident waiting to happen. slips and falls and a battery in the water sort of thing.

I like the idea of a hand truck with big wheels.

Steve

 

[fried1765]

Hi folks,

I have a jon boat I keep down at a landing situated at the end of an old logging trail, using my tractor carry-all to take the 50 pound marine battery to and from the landing. Thing is, the last fifty yards going down to the water are on a hill with a lot of trees, which means I can't get the tractor close to the dock. Lugging that battery solo on an incline is a real chore, one that could do a number on my back if I happened to bend the wrong way, and I'd like to lighten the load by having a second person assist me. However, the strap on the battery is only wide enough to make it practical for one person to tote it. Does anyone know whether there's a product out there to allow two people to transport a battery, for example a battery case with two sturdy handles? I'm almost embarrassed to ask this question, as I'm sure I could make up something (it's obviously not rocket science), but I'm just wondering if there might already be a product out there that fits the bill.

Check out the HF "bigfoot" hand truck - with the wide soft tires.
I think it is on sale right now for ..... $39.99 ??? (or $39.99 with a 20% coupon?)
I have 3 of them.
Might be a good idea to have the tires foam filled too.

 

[VaBeekeeper]

Is using 2 smaller batteries an option? Another potential option would be to put the battery on a wagon and pull the wagon up and down with the tractor.

I'm not averse to using two smaller batteries, as long as they would be appropriate for the purpose, which is to run a trolling motor. The owner's manual says that a deep-cycle marine battery with at least 105 ampere-hours should be used. As for using a wagon, I'm not sure whether it would be practical, as there are many trees in the way and the ground is extremely soft and loamy. Here's a picture of the general vicinity:

 

[George2615]

I agree the bigfoot hand truck would easily handle that terrain.

 

[airbiscuit]

You could put a pole between one of these battery carriers for a two person lift. Alternatively, could you leave the battery there and hook it up to a solar charger?

 

[EddieWalker]

My first thought would be a hand truck. Some have bigger tires then others and would travel over rough terrain a lot better. I'm not a fan of Harbor Freight, but for something like this, it might be OK. Northern Tool is a step up in quality for just a little more money.

 

[stingray1]

Check out the HF "bigfoot" hand truck - with the wide soft tires.
I think it is on sale right now for ..... $39.99 ??? (or $39.99 with a 20% coupon?)
I have 3 of them.
Might be a good idea to have the tires foam filled too.

The Bigfoot I bought a few years ago,popped out the wheel bearings the first time I used it. I owned it about 6 months before I used it,so they wouldn't take it back.

 

[bcp]

I have a HF Bigfoot hand truck, about 20 years old. I seldom use it. The axle being higher, the load must be bigger to balance over the axle, or it takes lots of force to hold down the handle. I thought I could move smaller boulders with it but it is harder to use than their conventional sized one. Still in good shape except for some light rust.

Bruce

 

[mapper]

Sounds like trail building time.

 

[fried1765]

I have a HF Bigfoot hand truck, about 20 years old. I seldom use it. The axle being higher, the load must be bigger to balance over the axle, or it takes lots of force to hold down the handle. I thought I could move smaller boulders with it but it is harder to use than their conventional sized one. Still in good shape except for some light rust.

Bruce

I would say that a "small" boulder would likely weigh at LOT more than most batteries.
I moved a 500+ pound pool heater with one of my Bigfoot hand trucks.
Like most everything else at HF, the Bigfoot is not superb quality, but it works, and the price is right.
For moving a battery over uneven terrain/hillside, it should be quite satisfactory.

 

[zzvyb6]

Why do you need to move the battery ? If it's just to charge it, get a solar charger and hope for sun. Or run a power line down to a battery charger. What about getting another battery and swapping them out at a more convenient location? I always keep another deep cycle battery around just for emergency starts, etc. Solar charger works in a day. (a SUNNY DAY). I've been powering a wireless router from one of my windmill towers to broadcast a video feed from there using a car battery. No issues with solar's ability to keep the voltage up.

 

[MossRoad]

I'd recommend the Harbor Freight bigfoot hand truck as well for this task. I think I got ours for about $30 on sale with a super coupon. I bought it to remove large maple rounds from inside a fenced in yard where a tree fell and no access for tractor. Worked fine.

As someone mentioned, its axle is up a bit higher, so it can take some leverage and work to tip a load back and keep the handle from popping back to vertical. An easy way around that is to put a couple/three thicknesses of 2X6 on the platform first, then put your battery on top of that. It will raise the center of gravity enough to make tipping back the handle much easier, yet not enough to make it unstable. Find the thickness of 2X lumber that works best for you, then nail them together. Some rubber tie down straps to secure everything and off you go. :thumbsup:

700 lb. Capacity Bigfoot Hand Truck

 

[MossRoad]

I also use that bigfoot hand truck with a 20# propane cylinder and weed burner torch to move easily around my yard burning weeds along the fence.

 

[CincyFlyer]

I'd get a solar battery charger and leave the thing in the boat.