Move big shed

[camerart]

Hi,
I have to move a 10X8 ft solid built shed approx 30ft down a garden.
I intend to lay scaffold planks as tracks and drag it.
Any idea how much force is needed. Would a large van pull it, without burning out the clutch, or do I need a pulley system?
Cheers, C

 

[Notch7]

I think it would snag on the ground if its going over lawn

a scaffold plank is only 38mm thick, you would have to slide it on the side frames and I think the floor bearers would snag the ground

you stand a bit more chance with scaffold poles but you might bend them if the grounds not flat

I would dismantle it if it was me, probably wouldnt take much longer

 

[camerart]

I think it would snag on the ground if its going over lawn

a scaffold plank is only 38mm thick, you would have to slide it on the side frames and I think the floor bearers would snag the ground

you stand a bit more chance with scaffold poles but you might bend them if the grounds not flat

I would dismantle it if it was me, probably wouldnt take much longer

Hi N,
I'm a bit older than I was when I moved lathes etc, so a bit limited.

It's going over roughish ground, and I see what you mean about snagging, the floor bearers are linear so that's good, so they wouldn't stay on the 'rails'
Perhaps as they are linear, I could think of the undershed being the rails and lay lay crossways beams, down the grarden.

I guess it's about 1/2 a ton, so what do I need to pull it?
C

 

[Notch7]

Hi N,
I'm a bit older than I was when I moved lathes etc, so a bit limited.

It's going over roughish ground, and I see what you mean about snagging, the floor bearers are linear so that's good, so they wouldn't stay on the 'rails'
Perhaps as they are linear, I could think of the undershed being the rails and lay lay crossways beams, down the grarden.

I guess it's about 1/2 a ton, so what do I need to pull it?
C

could you raise it up on jacks then put scaffold planks either side say 3 boards on top of each other each side -like pair of skis, have the boards stick out the front by 400mm or so, screw a big bearer across the front connecting the 2 sets of scaffold boards.

make sure your scaffold boards are screwed to the shed along their length, then use the front bearer as a point to connect a rope to pull

that way you have created a skid for the shed to sit on -a van would pull that ok, Id think

you might need to chamfer the front of the boards so they dont bind in the soil

 

[bernardgreen]

invite a few friends to help

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Yes the friends thing is a thing, if you can find enough volunteers. There's a youtube video of a garden shed being moved this way, albeit smaller than yours.

 

[camerart]

Yes the friends thing is a thing, if you can find enough volunteers. There's a youtube video of a garden shed being moved this way, albeit smaller than yours.

Hi B and F,
No friends, I'm afraid!
C

 

[camerart]

could you raise it up on jacks then put scaffold planks either side say 3 boards on top of each other each side -like pair of skis, have the boards stick out the front by 400mm or so, screw a big bearer across the front connecting the 2 sets of scaffold boards.

make sure your scaffold boards are screwed to the shed along their length, then use the front bearer as a point to connect a rope to pull

that way you have created a skid for the shed to sit on -a van would pull that ok, Id think

you might need to chamfer the front of the boards so they dont bind in the soil

Hi N,
Yes, I'll do something like this.
Thanks all, I'll let you now how I get on. It will be quite a while though.
Cheers, C.

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

There are various other methods available on youtube though they're largely US videos where people seem to have ready access to those little motorized truck things.

 

[camerart]

There are various other methods available on youtube though they're largely US videos where people seem to have ready access to those little motorized truck things.

Hi F,
Yes, it would need to be a tractor/forklift type of thing, but I'll try towing it first.
C

 

[scbk]

Rollers are better than skids. The bigger the diameter the better, on grass. So if you had access to nice round logs, 8" - 10" diameter, they would be good.
If all you had was scaffold poles, they might work along a track of scaffold boards.
If you had access to a hand winch that would be better than the van

 

[camerart]

Rollers are better than skids. The bigger the diameter the better, on grass. So if you had access to nice round logs, 8" - 10" diameter, they would be good.
If all you had was scaffold poles, they might work along a track of scaffold boards.
If you had access to a hand winch that would be better than the van

Hi S,
I just had a thought (in the bath) If the tow rope does over something to try to lift the front of the shed to stop it digging in.

First I'm going to simply try dragging it, and see what snags, then have another think.
C

 

[Murdochcat]

Could you try one of these ?

Tirfor Winch | Tirfor Cable Puller | Buy Tirfor Winch Online - Lifting Gear Direct

Buy a Tirfor winch / cable puller from our great range of wire rope pullers and winches that can load from 800kg up to 3200kg. Tirfor's are simple devices and need minimal maintenance, keep them clean and lubricated and your device will last a long time.

www.liftinggeardirect.co.uk

But you need a big tree to secure it and how do you propose to attach the shed without it collapsing ?

 

[foxhole]

Moved. 3m x 3m office “cube” Made from timber clad with MDF inside and out then clad with laminated MDF to the inside and outer skin, so a lot heavier than a shed.
Used a dozen broom handles as rollers and pushed it about a foot at a time.
So scaffold boards together with rollers of some type should work, I would use at least 3 rows of boards staggered so as not to jam shed should one board move. You can use a long timber 3x2” to lever the shed forward about 6-12” at a time , slow movement also allows you to correct direction.

Wet scaffold boards also allow easier movement , moved a 6m steel thru a house with very little leeway but laying soaking wet scaffold boards and sliding steel along them.

 

[camerart]

Could you try one of these ?

Tirfor Winch | Tirfor Cable Puller | Buy Tirfor Winch Online - Lifting Gear Direct

Buy a Tirfor winch / cable puller from our great range of wire rope pullers and winches that can load from 800kg up to 3200kg. Tirfor's are simple devices and need minimal maintenance, keep them clean and lubricated and your device will last a long time.

www.liftinggeardirect.co.uk

But you need a big tree to secure it and how do you propose to attach the shed without it collapsing ?

Hi M,
Or a van
C