Back Saver

[City Graphics]

Transferring plywood from my pickup to the Bot or from storage to the Bot is really taking a toll on my bulging disks in my lower back. It is especially difficult for me to lift MDF by myself. There is probably a thread on this matter already that I could not find.
I would like to know what everyone else is doing to overcome this issue.

I had a couple of ideas:
First idea was to build a multi purpose tilt bed cart that can function as a horizontal cart for moving MDF from my truck bed directly to the Bot, it cal also double as an easel for lettering material and also be a temporary work bench.

Second idea (which I would love some engineering input on) was to make a hand truck on my Bot out of good plywood that would fulcrum and pivot on a radius to vertical. The idea was to build the body of the cart (when horizontal) to be close to the height of the Bot and the bed of my truck. This design would also allow me to grab a sheet of ply that is leaning up against the wall.

I have never posted a picture to this forum so I pray it worked.

http://www.talkshopbot.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=20522&stc=1&d=1396796612

http://www.talkshopbot.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=20523&stc=1&d=1396796665

[Roy Harding]

Have a look at this:

http://www.rockler.com/leg-up-table-saw-panel-lifter

this may well be all you need. I don't have one - but it LOOKS like a solution for a low price.

In addition, have a look a Gorrilla Gripper - I have one and can't BELIEVE how easy it is to swing sheets of ply and MDF around now.

http://www.gorillagripper.com/

I see Amazon has a combo deal for both:

http://www.amazon.com/LegUp-58008-Panel-Lift-Table-Accessory/dp/B001Q3L23Y

[myxpykalix]

There has been other threads with more discussion you may benefit from, do a search for plywood lift, panel lift, ect on this forum and you should find something.
The one flaw with your drawing is, i think, you need to have your post and your swivel point in the center other wise you are still fighting the weight of the panel in trying to get it to a horizontal position.
Also i would check out something like a drywall lift:
http://www.rakuten.com/prod/drywall-lift-and-panel-hoist-11-foot/212446111.html?listingId=52871648&scid=pla_google_BestChoiceProducts&adid=18172&gclid=CNG885_6zL0CFRFnOgod63oAYQ

The post is in the center, the platform pivots in the center and you can raise or lower it according to the varied heights of your truck or bot bed, ect.

[City Graphics]

Thank you both for you input

[paul_z]

Rodney,

I've gotten to where I won't even try to lift a sheet of 3/4" extera. I can handle the weight or I can handle the size but I can't do both.

I like both designs.

I have to disagree with Jack about the pivot location. If the pivot was in the middle, the plywood would likely rotate while moving the cart. I would guess that you have the pivot just about right. When you lift on the sheet, you'd only need a lifting force of about 1/3 of the weight of the sheet. You'd be standing when applying that force.

I also like the hand cart. You might want to put large wheels on the bottom end and keep the pickup tines about 3/4" long, or better yet, make the tine length adjustable. If plywood was stored sideways on a couple pieces of scrap and leaning on a wall , you could pluck up one or more with little effort.

Finally, you might think how you could get a sheet from the handcart to your tilting cart.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts,

Paul Z

[jerry_stanek]

I saw this a while back and thought it was a good idea

http://www.workbenchmagazine.com/main/wb280-caddy01.html

[scottp55]

Jerry, I like that one and may be able to use it with the wheelchair. Hate having to wait for help with 3/4 hardwood ply. Like I could use jig/circular saws to get a manageable piece onto table saw. Been using 4X4's and sitting on the ply:)