Lifting water heaters.

[Terry]

I think I need to pick up what Master Plumber Mark has been using to lift water heaters up on stands.
Normally I can use my belt wrapped around a water heater to lift it up onto the stand. Obviously stairs is a whole different matter. Maybe I'm getting a little older, but yesterday I was really thinking that Mark has a better way. Looking at the picture below you'll notice the pillar to the left. That may have prevented me getting into the angle I wanted, and as I was lifting it, I fell backwards holding the water heater to my chest as we both landed on the floor of the garage. It was kind of funny. I did better on the second attempt with a helping hand on the top of the heater as I lifted again.
Okay Mark, give us your advice on what we need to have on the trucks.

 

[Reach4]

Narrow pallet jack with custom wooden box as spacer?

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Cacher_Chick]

We don't see many water heater stands or earthquake straps here.

 

[hj]

The new heaters do not need the stand, unless it is in an open area of the garage where vehicles could hit it and there are no pipe bolsters to protect it.

 

[Master Plumber Mark]

Well, Terry I hope that you did not get hurt..... you can pull a groin muscle
and really have troubles if you are not careful.. Pam wont like it if you put yourself out of comission for a few months.. groin pulls do not heal fast... not to mention just messing up your back for a good long while....

I got the MULE.... sitting out in my truck.....
I found it on Craigs list for 500 bucks... It was basically new
I keep the battery unplugged on it and I will re-charge it every few weeks
wether I need to or not......

I used it to lift an 80 gal electric last week by myself....
and both me and my brother-in-law did a 75 gallon gas a while
back together that was very easy too...... maneuvering a 75 gallon
heater into place it is best to have help because it becomes top heavy
but we wrangled the thing into the hole and dropped it down on the stand
without even the slightest strain on either of us...... Dan was impressed cause he wanted us to somehow manhandle the thing....

you put the heater on the platform then wheel it into place
then raise it up to about an inch or two above the stand...
You lock in the wheels so it dont move on you.....then you basically slide
the heater off the Mule and onto the heater stand..... Sometimes it is best
to use a washing machine hose to wrap around the heater and use it to
control the process better.... and sometimes it is wise to have someone holding onto the handles so the thing dont move on you while you are moving the heater over.... My locking mechanism on the mule does not really work all that well....so I have had to ask the male customer to hold it
in place for me on occasion

I have had to take a grinding wheel before and remove those metal poles
just to get a better angle on the process for the legs on the mule to get in close
... if they gripe about removing it I just dont do the job....

I got a great deal on this and the price has gone up a lot since 2014 ... I think they are over 2300 now.... I also have the Escelara Stair cat in my truck and it has been a god send for all heaters in basements and up on the second floor of homes.....

The stair cat cost 2200 but it paid for itself in the first week and that was 3 years ago

 

[Master Plumber Mark]

We don't see many water heater stands or earthquake straps here.

What brand is this?? That looks like a cheap and simple way to solve the problem..

 

[Master Plumber Mark]

hey Terry that is a nice looking installation...but I dont see your sticker on it
did you forget to put your calling card on the heater??

 

[Terry]

hey Terry that is a nice looking installation...but I dont see your sticker on it
did you forget to put your calling card on the heater??

I need stickers. Everyone else has them.

I went to the Chiropractor Monday for my three month check, but no adjustment needed.
I did get one last March. http://www.nucca.org/ works for me. I discovered it in 1989.
Somehow falling backwards with a water heater landing on me didn't bother me either. Funny.
I need to add a lifting tool though. This is getting nuts.

 

[Reach4]

A motorcycle scissor jack could be worth looking at also. https://www.extrememax.com/product-p/5001.5059.htm

 

[Terry]

Just for fun, some stuff added. I'm not so sure about some of this.

What using a belt is like. Pretty awkward looking now that I see someone else doing it.

 

[Reach4]

The first two looked good, and should be even easier if the WH did not have legs.

 

[Master Plumber Mark]

The first one I almost bought for fun... He is on the plumbing zone and sells them
to anyone who wants one... its tolerable and under 200 bucks

 

[Cacher_Chick]

What brand is this?? That looks like a cheap and simple way to solve the problem..

It is a Wesco, made in USA. The problem is that it's heavier than any of the heaters, and takes up the back of a truck.

 

[Master Plumber Mark]

It is a Wesco, made in USA. The problem is that it's heavier than any of the heaters, and takes up the back of a truck.

I think then You need a bigger truck.... I got a box truck with both of these tools
loaded and strapped on the side walls..
My Stair cat weighs in at 115 lbs so it is a heavy unit
but you are not supposed to pick it up and move it ,
you are supposed to roll it at an angle so you dont feel the weight....

do you have any idea what that one costs??
. .

 

[FullySprinklered]

In the past I've been able to fasten the stand to the bottom of the heater using perforated strap and short sheet metal screws. Then just lift it upright. Lately I'm just throwing stands away.

 

[Cacher_Chick]

I think then You need a bigger truck.... I got a box truck with both of these tools
loaded and strapped on the side walls..
My Stair cat weighs in at 115 lbs so it is a heavy unit
but you are not supposed to pick it up and move it ,
you are supposed to roll it at an angle so you dont feel the weight....

do you have any idea what that one costs??
. .

The one we have is probably 15 years old and weighs 125 lbs. You feel the weight putting into the back of the van!
Searching the web now, they have all different sizes so the price starts at about $650 and goes up from there.

 

[Master Plumber Mark]

In the past I've been able to fasten the stand to the bottom of the heater using perforated strap and short sheet metal screws. Then just lift it upright. Lately I'm just throwing stands away.

In theory with the new fvir heaters they can now be on the floor,,, but if I were to lower one I
am 100% sure to get some nasty home inspector down the road wanting the unit raised up
to code height..... I dont need that argument or drama with someone half my age... .......

 

[Master Plumber Mark]

Terry Love's Seattle area shopping cart
To order services and products in the Seattle and Eastside area
Facebook Page
Tip Jar for Terry



Hey I like you idea of the "tip jar for Terry"

do you actually get anyone leaving you a tip on line ???

 

[Terry]

Terry Love's Seattle area shopping cart
To order services and products in the Seattle and Eastside area
Facebook Page
Tip Jar for Terry

Hey I like you idea of the "tip jar for Terry"

do you actually get anyone leaving you a tip on line ???

Every so often it happens, yes.
Mark, I think you should add one here too.

 

[Master Plumber Mark]

go ahead and add me a tip jar if you know how to... I dont expect
anyone is gonna donate a dime but its just for fun fun fun

here is another lift cart you might be interested in.. Another plumber just bought one and told me about it today.... looks good and is probably fairly cheap... This looks pretty good and if my mule were to break I probably would buy it....


correction its not cheap ... they want 1200 for it... like it is made of silver or platinum