Generator too heavy for my dad.

[TimberXX]

My dad had an old 5500 watt manual start generator. He struggled start it and cant fill it with 5 gallon gas cans.

So we got a 9000 winco tri fuel.

We got it delivered yesterday. And with the wheel kit it is too heavy for him.

He needs to roll it 20 ft. I put it on a moving dolly, and he moved it easily. But I am concerned the generator would walk when running on casters from the moving dolly.

My ideas are to chock the casters with door stops, or use a jack to lift the generator an inch and put it on dunnage. But that does not sound easy. Any other ideas?

Thanks in advance guys.

 

[/pine]

My dad had an old 5500 watt manual start generator. He struggled start it and cant fill it with 5 gallon gas cans.

So we got a 9000 winco tri fuel.

We got it delivered yesterday. And with the wheel kit it is too heavy for him.

He needs to roll it 20 ft. I put it on a moving dolly, and he moved it easily. But I am concerned the generator would walk when running on casters from the moving dolly.

My ideas are to chock the casters with door stops, or use a jack to lift the generator an inch and put it on dunnage. But that does not sound easy. Any other ideas?

Thanks in advance guys.

How often does it get used?....what about just building a small roof over (dog house) for it and not have to roll it at all...?

 

[TimberXX]

three times per year, we are suburban so there isnt a good place to put it permanently outside

 

[GaryM]

How about replacing the dollys rollers with 4 that lock? You can buy them at Harbor Freight or Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07V9Q18V1/ref=cm_sw_r_em_apa_i_BtLNEbDFMPGMD

I'd recommend two that are fixed and two that Swivel.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

How about trying it first??

SR

 

[Redlands Okie]

Similar items to this would also work.

GRAINGER APPROVED General Purpose Floor Lock, Steel, 5-3'/'4" For Caster Mounting Height - 16V372'|'16V372 - Grainger!

Might be able to chain it with a easy to use latch, to a eye bolt in the concrete or post. Done right a little bit of security also.

 

[ultrarunner]

Maybe a chain tether that you could also padlock?

 

[zzvyb6]

I reccomend 4 new casters that swivel because us old peoples often have to push sideways and seem to always be trying to steer the wrong end. The Harbor Freight dollies are sized just right for a generator that size.

 

[TimberXX]

i bought the harbor freight locking casters before, but do you trust them for a shaking generator?

those floor locks look awesome.

unfortunately generator theft is a real issue, and i want it as close as possible to the gnatural gas source.

thanks all

 

[dragoneggs]

i bought the harbor freight locking casters before, but do you trust them for a shaking generator?

those floor locks look awesome.

unfortunately generator theft is a real issue, and i want it as close as possible to the gnatural gas source.

thanks all

I have many of the 3in locking HF casters under several 'fixed' base floor standing tools, full height metal and fully loaded storage cabinets, etc. No issues. $5.99ea.

3" Polyurethane Swivel Caster with Lock

I buy them for 30% off when the coupon for 10 items less than 10 buck comes around.

 

[BrokenTrack]

Maybe you could get one of those cheap scissor jacks and bolt to one end of it with a few u-bolts. That way after your dad rolls it to its spot, he can crank the jack up (which drives it into the ground, and lifts one end of the generator up), making the jack keep the generator from moving while it is running.

You can probably get them at a junk yard cheap as they come with every car made now.

 

[Reb954]

As was mentioned, try it first to see if moving is a problem.

I put my welder on HF dollies, it stays put.

 

[GeeVee]

I bought 8" solid rubber hand truck wheels and two pieces of ATR from HF. It doesn't swivel, but it rolls very easy on dirt and super easy on concrete. A pair of 2x4s with wedge angles on it keeps it from walking around.

I kind of like the extra height off the ground too, with the taller wheels underslung from the frame. I'm sure you can get a swivel wheel with locks, get a pair for the "light end" and a pair of fixed for the Genset end, solid rubber.

Its for your Dad, don't cheap out on him.....

 

[countrybumpkin]

Get a yard cart to mount it on.

 

[metalbender]

I can relate. Bought a 10k Champion for the acreage. Have a time moving it because the mfg, in all their wisdom, put the handle on the heavy end. Some day I'll get round to fixing the problem.

 

[fried1765]

Maybe a chain tether that you could also padlock?

In many areas of NJ that 9000W Winco would disappear in minutes...chain or no chain.

 

[LittleBill21]

https://amzn.to/2VouTlM

i have 4 of these (2 that don't swivel) on the 7k HF generator. even on pavement the generator doesn't move an inch. i also placed a piece of unistrut on one side and a eye bolt to pull it with my atv. works perfect, other then the tires going flat from time to time, if you have to wheel it over anything other then pavement, u will want the rubber tires

 

[davedj1]

How about a couple of sand bags around the wheels to keep it from rolling around when running?

 

[kuschneider]

I like the test it first approach to see if there is a problem, but the locking casters or sand bag approach would be first on my list solutions if a problem does in fact exist

 

[Ford850]

Will it sit on a paved surface when running, or in the lawn? My pressure washer walks terribly on pavement, with 2 wheels and 2 rubber feet. I have to park it in the grass when I use it. I think part of the issue is how sloppy the wheels are, allowing for a lot of loose vibration. Keep that in mind when you test the generator, in case a better fitting wheel solves the problem.