Escalera Help

Singh_3

I recently bought one, 1200# capacity , with forks, and lift plate.Big wheels.
Its heavy just by itself.
I tried removing sections of a CI boiler out of the basement. In the end Most of them I carried up. I think the stairs were too steep , could not get the angle for the escalera to work well, so it was like me pulling a section plus the weight of the climber out.
Brought the new boiler down the old fashion way, there was no way I was going to trust 800# going down.

Big Ed

Tips on Using Machine

Ok I broke down and bought a stair climbing hand truck . I notice most who use a Escalera love them so I hunted down a 1200 # MS-1-66 on ebay.It came with the big foot and wheel option .I installed a larger 21 amp battery . Now I needs tips on using it. First try was bringing up a 4 section ETC Peerless .I found my self sweating bb's. Everyone shouting directions or advice did not help either.I found myself sitting on the stairs on the way up. Going down with a 63-03 using the Big Foot felt better..

The unit came with 3 strap set up with buckel and retractible belts which I love .

The angle ,weight ditrbution and foot location I need help with . I was leaving the foot near the bottom catching the tarps on the way out ...

On matinance.... How long does the belts last ? Looks kinda small ? Should I pick up a spare ? Any help or info from Escalera pros I would feel thankful ...

Empire_2

Hey Big Ed......

Go to stairclimber.com and they have a video on this GREAT piece of equipment. They will also send you info on all the models they carry. Just as a note, when going up the stairs with a big load, your tendency is to either place your arms to far forward or to far back. Let the machine do the lifting, and all you have to do is balance the load.

Mike T.

Dave Stroman

The more you use it the more you will like it. It just takes some getting used to. I could not be in business without it.

Dave in Denver

Al Corelli_2

We love ours.

we have the same model as you. try to keep the weight as close to the handtruck as possible, and keep it as high as possible to avoid being "catapulted" over the top. We do a lot of Burnham V8 series boilers, and for the 4 section and smaller boilers, we remove the burner door and bracket (have to anyway to install jacket) and grab the boiler from the front. For 5 section and larger (we've had a 9 section on it) we keep the TOP of the boiler against the rails with the front on the bottom toe plate.

The parts that take the most beating are:
The toe plate
The thin aluminum skid plate that covers the skinny belt.
The climbing feet.

We are VERY happy with our Escalera. Except for the tight stairs we sometimes get, we would have gotten the one with the raise-able forks. This way, when they deliver the boilers in regular vans, we could just scoop them out instead of sliding them down the short plank.

Practice (we practiced with beer kegs), Practice, Practice.



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Big Ed_3

I'am taking this all in ,Thanks All

Very interesting in the point of bring the weight high ,you would figure low would give more control with leverage ? Does this catapulting happen on the way up the stairs or down ? I do see the point of bring the weight as close to the rails as possible .


Checking the web site one of the models that was recommended and also from talking to a Escalera sales rep, was the one with a detachable folk lift attachment , I wonder if it can be added to yours ? It was not that much money extra either . I thought about it but I already own a high lift .

Big Ed_3

Reminds me ..

........ of the first time we used a electric hand truck . My first boss back in the mid 70's bought it for us from the goodness of his heart ,God rest his soul .It was a worm gear model . Very heavy and the batteries back then also sucked ( another story ........half way up with a May West ) . I never had the chance to try it since I was just the go-for . The Mac's cursed and wrestled with that iron beast .They raised the wheels too high or took too many steps. They hated it ,it sat around collecting duct until it disappeared ...

Dave Stroman

I have the one with removable forks. We seldom use the forks so I removed them. They easily reattach. I just could not be without mine. Bath tubs, boilers, radiators...I have moved some amazingly heavy things.

Dave in Denver

Al Corelli_2

Catapulting

Catapulting can happen going in either direction. Sometimes we tie a rope to the handle and have a third guy hold back with that.

Keeping the weight high keeps more weight up on the handles.

We have some REALLY tight stairwells, ans the forks would never fit.

It would be nice to have BOTH models on the truck, but it would also be pretty cool to win lotto.

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[Deleted User]

Almost killed my partner with one of those...

and had he showed up to the job on time, he would have been below me and the dollie and the 120 gallon stone lined tank that decided to shear off the stairs bull nosing 1/2 way up the stairs and QUICKLY slid back down the stairs with me being dragged along for the ride, and the carpet on the stairs following us.

When it (WE) hit the bottom, I ended up impaling myself from the momentum onto the tank and dollie. We ended up having to rig up unistrut across the top of the stairs to get the dollie and the tank out of the basement. It prompted us to initiate a new policy. On future stone lined tank replacements, removal was the owners responsibility, and we decided to NEVER EVER again attempt to use a power dollie with the knuckles that rest on the edge of the tread.

One of our suppliers has one of the trombone style of dollies, and that seems a WHOLE lot safer to use. It rests its weight FIRMLY on a well supported surface. I remember one of their drivers showing up to a job I was doing in the mountains, and I warned the driver to wait for me to help him unload the boiler because it was a rather steep approach to the home. I pulled up to the job site just in time to see him skidding down the hill behind the dollie and the boiler screaming to high heaven "WHOAA, WHOAA, YOU SONUFBEACH I SAID WHOAAA.." Just about then, he, the dollie and the boiler went over a slight embankment, and the dollie got hung up on a rock. The dollie catapulted this poor kid over the top of the dollie and boiler and he landed about 10 feet down the hill from the rig. I was laughing so hard I was crying. I looked back up the hill, and there were these two perfect skid marks all the way down the hill to the wreck at the bottom. I nick named the driver Skid Marks, and he hated it every time I reminded him...

Some peoples kids...

ME

Dave Stroman

I have heard this story before, Mark. But I have to tell you, I have had so much success with mine that I am a true beleiver. Being in the business of moving radiators, I simply could not be without it.

Dave in Denver

B. Tice

Power Trucks

Any Lectro Truck or Powermate users out there?

[Deleted User]

I hear ya Dave...

Just be cognizant and careful out there...

ME

brucewo1b

We use the Lectro Truck

and are very pleased, like all you just need to get used to the balacing point.