Shoulder Dolly: Lifting System or Suicide Pact?
By Eric Dykstra
The Shoulder Dolly supposedly helps you move heavy objects by supporting them on your shoulders, taking the stress off your back. One possible downside: if your partners slips going down the stairs, you, him, and that refrigerator are all going down together.
Two versions of the Shoulder Dolly are available: one is a more heavy duty “pro” version with thicker nylon straps and metal lifting hardware, ringing up at around $300. The more reasonably priced “light-duty” version features a claimed capacity of 400 pounds and is constructed of nylon.
On either version, the straps loop over your shoulders and the lifting strap slips under the object you want to move. You get to stay upright, and the lifting is done by your legs and shoulders — as opposed to your lower back and arms.
The light duty version can be found for about $40.
Shoulder Dolly [Offical Site]
Street Price [Google Products]
Via Amazon
October 30th, 2007 at 9:47 am
Effin’ insane! I would never strap myself into one of those.
October 30th, 2007 at 9:49 am
I’ve seen them in use by professional movers, and if there’s no other way to move it, there’s no other way to move it. That said, I think if I have to move something that heavy somewhere that impossible to reach by other means, I’m going to hire it out.
October 30th, 2007 at 10:00 am
When my fridge, washer and dryer got delivered the delivery guys used a strap system somewhat similar to this except that when going up and down stairs whoever was on the down side would shorten their straps to keep the appliance upright; it seemed a lot safer than the photo above. It’s also MUCH faster than an appliance dolly.
October 30th, 2007 at 10:38 am
I bought a set of forearm forklifts for $20 or something. Same idea, but only loops over your forearm. Likely not nearly as much lifting ability, but only one idiot has to die.
http://www.forearmstraps.com/
October 30th, 2007 at 10:58 am
I have seen them in operation. WORKS GREAT!!! Like any tool, you have to use it safely.
October 30th, 2007 at 11:38 am
LOL. Perfect caption and picture…something out of Onion.com. Expeced to have little comment bubbles.
Looks like it would put a lot of pressure on your back. ??? Forearm forklift uses the biceps (providing you work out).
October 30th, 2007 at 11:55 am
@Steve:
I’ve used the Forearm Forklifts before. They are awesome. If used properly, there is no strain on the biceps. At least, I don’t remember mine being sore! I don’t work out, and don’t have much biceps to speak of.
Keep your arms in an L shape, hands braced against the peice you’re moving, and they use your back muscles just like the Shoulder Dolly.
My guess is, too many people use the Forearm Forklifts incorrectly, so the Shoulder Dolly was invented. Though, IMHO the Forearm Forklift sure looks safer. I definitely wouldn’t use the Shoulder Dolly on the stairs with a fridge!!!
October 30th, 2007 at 12:33 pm
I’m just thinking that I could use 2 ‘light duty’ versions for $80 instead of one heavy duty one at 300.
yeah yeah. It doesn’t work like that.
Ok, how about this. I order a large pizza and a case of beer and have the college guys down the street move the stuff?
October 30th, 2007 at 2:34 pm
omg, I’d never use that thing. That just looks spookier than $#!t.
October 30th, 2007 at 2:46 pm
Yikes! Of course, this is the reason mountain climbers are roped together. The rescuers find all the bodies in one pile.
October 30th, 2007 at 6:13 pm
I think its great I submitted it to toolmonger 6 months ago nice to see it up
October 30th, 2007 at 9:00 pm
don’t knock this till you have tried it. I’ve been using a homemade set for years. there is no better way to move appliances.
October 31st, 2007 at 8:34 pm
Looking at the pic posted I had negative thoughts at first. I followed the link Jonathan posted for the forearm version and after thinking about it it does make sense. I think the pic of the 2 yahoo’s with the fridge is a bad pic or something. If you think about it for a 2 man crew a fridge really isn’t that heavy. What makes it a B*tch is its massive size and the lack of a good way of handling it. These strap systems seem like they could be the answer but I also say this without ever trying one. Might be something that takes getting used too.
November 1st, 2007 at 7:01 pm
The newer refrigerator’s are not that heavy.
Mostly plastic.
February 18th, 2008 at 3:16 am
I rather see the fridge roll and smash into pieces, than a human get hurt. This strap is a bad idea. No time saving, no expensive fridge worth human safety.
March 6th, 2008 at 10:16 am
LOL My husband and I deliver the NEW REFRIGERATORS that you say aren’t heavy. When is the last time you lifted a LG top of the line fridge, that weighs between 300 and 400lbs? Or a GE PROFILE front loader washer that weighs 250lbs. Try a GE MONOGRAM REFRIGERATOR, they weigh anywhere from 400 to 800 lbs. Believe me the new appliances are not “not that heavy”.
We use these straps everyday….nothing beats them.
March 24th, 2008 at 11:24 pm
I use this 6 days a week only 2 holidays off in the year. windows doors pallets fridges. I only weigh 140 pounds and my helper and I lifted a pallet of lumber about 750 pounds just to see if we could do it. and it did not hurt my back but left bruises on my shoulders for a week. I find it hard when i have to sinch all the way down to the ground in a sqauting positoun and then stand up keeping your back straight. it is like doing squats push ups and military press all in one. great work out.
July 25th, 2008 at 6:15 pm
I bought a set of these to move a new front load washer & dryer with bases. Had to go from garage, make a sharp left turn then into utility room. These things work great!!!! Try and do that with a hand truck. No way, would have to slide it around etc. Had a new fridge delivered last summer and the delivery guys had someting similar. Have even tried going up stairs with a washer and dryer. Works great. Only down side is you should wear a jacket or something as it digs into your shoulders with heavy stuff.
Don’t knock them until you try them……