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South East

Heres the deal, if your patch is located in your backyard, and theres no way a tractor or any other heavy machines can get in, how woud you move a big pumpkin, any ideas? besides manpower

1/17/2007 7:48:55 PM

Lexington, Ky

Depends on the weight. If you can get a pick up truck very close to it and it weighs 800 pounds or less, a hydraulic crane mounted in the bed of the truck can get it done. Yes, it's scary to proceed this way but it has and can be done.

A mobile industrial type crane will do the job if your pumpkin isn't too far away from solid ground. I hired a tree cutting company to lift an 887 pounder out of my truck last season....cost me $50. The crane was parked 150 feet away from where the pumpkin was placed. Not sure how long the boom was on that crane but it looked to me that it might have been able to go 200 feet. And talk about getting ALL of the attention in the neighborhood.....

Here's another thought, an idea that I haven't used but have given careful consideration too, a winch. It would require some initial muscle. If a heavy duty tarp could be placed under the pumpkin and if the path to the destination is free from obstruction, then perhaps a winch or come-a-long could be used to move it. Another variation would be to use industrial rollers...the kind that are used to unload product from a semi trailer to a loading dock. Once the pumpkin is on the rollers, it would be a breeze to push or pull it manually or mecanically. Maybe a combination of these crazy thoughts could be used in harmony?

And saving the best for last....a helicopter!!! If I ever won the lottery, I'd do it just for grins!

Jamie

1/17/2007 9:13:42 PM

South East

thanks, lol

1/18/2007 8:24:20 AM

Wilmington.Ma.

Lift it onto a sled than pull it. I use a 30 pack and 7 frends.The 30 pack after the LIFT !!!

1/18/2007 5:06:06 PM

Garden State Pumpkins

Cook believe me when ya get one...You can do it...Young strong crew with a good lifting tarp...as long as they're game they'll di it! Good Luck! GrowEmBig! Chuck

1/18/2007 9:00:32 PM

San Jose garysand@pacbell.net

Large tarp,plywood, pallet and a pallet jack, or even moving a dolly, I did this this past year,roll punkin onto tarp then drag it up some plywood up onto the pallet or dolly

1/18/2007 9:27:59 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Like Chuck I'd say a good lifting tarp & one strong back for every 35 kg if it has to be carried. But 2 strong grunts can push-pull-roll a 400 pounder on soft level ground with a stout piece of canvas.

1/18/2007 10:54:38 PM

Lexington, Ky

I wish this thread could be moved or reposted in General Discussion. Perhaps more ideas would be shared. I had to move several 500 pounders my first year with no assitance and often wonder if there are other ways and means of tackling this problem. I will go a step further and say that when loading any of my pumpkins, I'd rather not have any human help. It would be a different story if I had giant growers nearby that could assist who understand what it takes to complete the task without damage but, I have to utilize any help that I can get at this point. Why is it that anyone that tries to help goes right for the stem?!

1/18/2007 11:01:50 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

A wise grower once said "Grow it and they will come" April and I move pumpkins up to 650lbs by ourselves with a couple pieces of plywood and a furniture dolly.
1320 you must give instructions before you actually pick the pumpkin. Our 1st pumpkin picking party the guys actually rolled the pumpkin on its back when I told them we needed to inspect the bottom of it.

1/31/2007 10:22:30 AM

Billerica,Massachusetts

beer and pizza

1/31/2007 10:23:49 AM

President - GPC

There's a guy in Colorado that simply lets the air out of his, then reinflates it once its at the weigh off. Cant member his name right off though...... :)>

1/31/2007 1:54:52 PM