Pot moving tools

14 years ago

I'm looking for tools that to make moving lots of pots easier. Most of my moves are short: 3 steps to the cart.

I want to reduce the amount of bending and stooping.

I'm looking for:

1. Something to pick up 2 #1 cans at at time with 1 hand.

2. Something to pick up 1 #2 or #3 at a time.

A.M. Leonard has grips that do this, but:

they want 20 bucks for #1, 50 bucks for #2. Both aren't quite right, as in use, your wrist is cocked at about a 40 degree angle. I want to keep my wrist straight to avoid some new form of repetitive use injury. In addition they don't ship to Canada.

3. I'm also looking for a good way to handle 10 gallon pots and 10 gallon growbags. So far the best alternative is the PotHog, but it rots my socks to pay 800 bucks plus shipping, customs, GST, brokerage, and currency exchange for something that is less complex than a bicycle.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

edsacre
14 years ago
How about a hand truck. $40 or 50.
I probably don't understand the question though.
Sherwood Botsford (z3, Alberta)
Original Author
14 years ago
Or perhaps I didn't make myself clear. Thanks for input.

The Hand truck is a viable method for moving middle sized pots on hard smooth surfaces. And there are versions with large air filled tires that will work on bumpy turf. The better ones have the wheels far apart, and the the pot can fit between the tires, and have a platform that is deep enough so that the center of the pot is actually on the platform.

However in my experience with them, I have to stoop, lift up one edge of the pot, to slide the platform underneath. This gets really old by the end of a trailer load of pots.

I think I want a system that grabs the top edge of the pot instead. Think of a pair of bicycle brakes. Or a hook that goes over the lip, and a high friction pad on the vertical side of the pot.

The idea: Tape a yard stick to your head, shoulders and butt. Move the the pot without ripping the tape.

For the smaller pots the problem is mostly that fingers wear out. 30-40 #3 pots one in each hand is ok, but after 60 or so my fingers start to cramp.
Related Discussions
Have small Clematis in 4' pots, should I move up to larger pot?
Q
Comments (8)
I agree with Janet and as she well knows I have beating this drum for several years now. The old adage of heads in the sun and feet in the shade is an old wives tale. Moisture is what is required and that typically occurs when the roots are shaded since it slows down the evaporation of the water in the soil and the consistent moisture is the critical element, along with appropriate fertilization. For what it is worth, I have potted up countless numbers of clematis into one gallon sized pots and left them in the sun where they get morning sun thru midafternoon sun and they have been fine. One definite advantage of sinking the pots in the ground is that you won't have to water the pots as much since the soil will act as an insulator to the desication of moisture from the potting mix. Just make sure that the surrounding soil drains well or your pots could hold too much moisture and cause root rot.
...See More
Moving potted plants
Q
Comments (8)
All one-handed "dollies" and "hand trucks" are just passing fads and gimmicks for all except the lightest-duty applications. That's why the two-handed, wide-framed hand trucks have remained the standard for hundreds of years. There's nothing like being able to grasp your hand truck with two hands and maneuver it, push it, shove it, and make it do what you want it to do. You simply can't do the same work on a single post handle that you can with two handles spread wide. Also, not all pots are strong enough to be abused by a clamp or a wire or a bar that lifts the pot, or grasps at the lip. That amounts to either destructive abuse of a beautiful and expensive pot, or sometimes the complete annihilation of a cheaper pot. That's why our forefathers invented a flat platform for hand trucks hundreds of years ago. If you want to start with the correct tool from the beginning, and not throw away your time and money, then go with either of the following two hand trucks from Nursery Enterprises for large potted plants. There's nothing like these two potted plant hand trucks—they have no competition! I've used the bigger one for years. It's allowed me to do the work of a team of men--all without damaging my expensive pots. http://www.nurseryenterprises.com/15-gallon-tree-dolly.html http://www.nurseryenterprises.com/large-pot-dolly.html
...See More
Buy organization tools before or after moving?
Q
Comments (7)
And here are some extra-neat products. More involved, but the punch can be really strong: ShelvesThatSlide.com -- custom-sized pullouts that you install yourself. They'll help you maximize the space toward the back. I want to install 3 of them in one cabinet, maybe 4 (one for a tall space on the bottom shelf, and the others closely spaced above it to hold canned goods lying on their sides). I have this basket/shelf combo under my kitchen sink, and it's GREAT! I can put smaller stuff in the basket, and it lets me use the deep back of the cabinet. But I can set stuff on TOP of those small items, because of the shelf! It truly doubles the capacity down there. http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?SKU=12307632&RN=1011& I like tray dividers like these; my advice: space them closely, not wide--so that items don't lean, but instead stand up straight. (depends what you put in there, of course--if you were storing 3 cookies sheets, that space in the picture is too narrow.) http://www.organize.com/tray-dividers.html (not sure those are my favorites--I have ones w/ stronger clips. Rev-a-Shelf, i think.) Oooh, here are cool! Would let you closely space the shelves in the UPPER cabinets (which would be good for me, bcs I'm short enough that if I left them spaced widely, I wouldn't be able to reach the 2nd shelf) http://www.organize.com/linus-spice-organizers.html I have something like these that i like. I can pull the whole box of spices down if I need it without knocking them over etc.
...See More
Packing tools for moving ?
Q
Comments (0)
We'll be moving out of our current home about 6 weeks prior to being able to move in to our new home so everything will be stored w/ the moving company for that period. I'm not sure that cardboard boxes are the best option for tools, fasteners and other stuff that's heavy and awkward shaped. Or are they? Better to buy a bunch of plastic bins @ Target? Other ideas? I've a not in to the moving company as well to see what their thoughts are. Thanks,
...See More
PRO
Steven Laurin & Company
14 years ago
sherwood,
Did you realize the mfgr of PotHog apparently has tools for moving smaller pots around . . . PotHog Jr. and 'Oink'? Although I have to admit, $200. seems like a lot for a simple clutching device.

Here is a link that might be useful: PotHog Jr.
PRO
Steven Laurin & Company
14 years ago
Just discovered availability of the smaller clutch from A.M. Leonard - the supplier you mentioned in the OP - at 185./pair. If you're moving large quantities of pots daily, it may be worth the price.

Here is a link that might be useful: Oink Jr.
mikie_gw
14 years ago
Yard stick duct taped to my backside will break the stick before the tape lets go - and make for some embareassing hurts to have someone rip it off me.
cedgo
14 years ago
Farmtek might have what you are looking for, about $70. Pnuematic tires and a "bail" to hold the pots.

Pot moving tools

Comments (6)

edsacre

Sherwood Botsford (z3, Alberta)
Original Author

Related Discussions

Steven Laurin & Company

Steven Laurin & Company

mikie_gw

cedgo

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Pot moving tools

Comments (6)

edsacre

Sherwood Botsford (z3, Alberta)Original Author

Related Discussions

Steven Laurin & Company

Steven Laurin & Company

mikie_gw

cedgo

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Sherwood Botsford (z3, Alberta)
Original Author