19 replies to this topic

[PhenomZ]

I'm brand new to the business. I did a lot of research before diving in and buying my first vending machine but I overlooked buying a dolly. I bought one from a local Harbor Freight recently - rated at 1,000 lbs - but it was too small to do the job. Unfortunately, that was the heaviest duty one they had so now I'm looking for suggestions from other people who are in the business. I only have a budget of about $500 for a dolly, what should I look into getting? Thanks in advance, lots of good information on this forum

[dloiselle]

I am in the same situation, except I haven't purchased any. From what I can find on the internet, they are going to average $500 and up, that is an appliance dolly with kick out rear wheels then add in shipping.

I have a few to move this coming week and opted to rent a set of Rol-a-lift, which I may build something very similar. I have great concerns that when I get the dolly to break that it will keep right on coming and squish that would be that plus my back is pretty much shot and will go out for no apparent reason. The rol-a-lift setup is really cool I think, there are alot of versions of it on the market, however, I believe it will be useless with any sort of stairs etc.

[bcron]

The kick-out wheels are a must. They make the job much easier. Also consider piano dollies... http://www.amazon.co.../dp/B000PDN3EW. They can make the job pretty easy also.

[H4UV]

I have a guy who does most of my moving for me, and what he doesn't do, I rent his dolly from him and do it myself. Vendors Exchange has the large 84" dollies, that have the kick-out wheels, straps, and everything else. They are the kind I have used, and hope to buy one day. They are $625+ shipping, but are new and worth it. Here is the link... http://veii.com/getP...&content_id=228

[Ross]

You guys wouldn't recommend the electric ones that are helpful for going up stairs, etc? laying the machine down flat to help in height restricted areas?

[validatorman]

I have used Ultra Lift dollies to move machines up and down stairs and also work as a lift on the back of a pickup. For a small vendor it would be a hefty price to pay for that type of move. In our area there are two companines that do most all of the machine moving for the small vendors. If you are in great shape and the competition is low, you can make some decent money moving machines for other small companies as a side business. Moving companies usually do not have the expertiese to put machines in a tight space.

[Steve Fischer]

I have a guy who does most of my moving for me, and what he doesn't do, I rent his dolly from him and do it myself. Vendors Exchange has the large 84" dollies, that have the kick-out wheels, straps, and everything else. They are the kind I have used, and hope to buy one day. They are $625+ shipping, but are new and worth it. Here is the link... http://veii.com/getP...&content_id=228

I wouldn't move a machine with anything less than the dolly shown in that link. The large kick out wheels are a must. The small caster-like kick out wheels will be a problem for you. I do all my easy moves with that dolly and a u-haul ramp trailer. For any difficult moves, I hire out a local vending sales /service guy. I once dropped a lance snack machine on myself and am not sure how I didn't end up in a hospital. It's not worth pushing your luck.

[RJT]

I wouldn't move a machine with anything less than the dolly shown in that link. The large kick out wheels are a must. The small caster-like kick out wheels will be a problem for you. I do all my easy moves with that dolly and a u-haul ramp trailer. For any difficult moves, I hire out a local vending sales /service guy. I once dropped a lance snack machine on myself and am not sure how I didn't end up in a hospital. It's not worth pushing your luck.

I agree 100% do NOT skimp on moving equipment. For moving machines with legs like snack, cold food etc it is hard to beat Nortech movers. Nortech is the name of the company that produces them.

[CoinTech]

It all depends on what you are moving. If you are moving snack machines on legs you need a pallet jack with forks 21" apart. If you are moving a drink machine you need a tall Stevens or Dutro dolly with the large kick back wheels or a Jansen organ and piano dolly, my favorite. Always use the best and correct equipment for moving machines. You can cause more damage to your equipment, your surroundings or yourself than you would think possible. Never move a drink machine loaded with drinks. I saw one slide off a truck into a plate glass window because it was so heavy once in started sliding it couldn't be stopped.

[dogcow]

It all depends on what you are moving. If you are moving snack machines on legs you need a pallet jack with forks 21" apart. If you are moving a drink machine you need a tall Stevens or Dutro dolly with the large kick back wheels or a Jansen organ and piano dolly, my favorite. Always use the best and correct equipment for moving machines. You can cause more damage to your equipment, your surroundings or yourself than you would think possible. Never move a drink machine loaded with drinks. I saw one slide off a truck into a plate glass window because it was so heavy once in started sliding it couldn't be stopped.

guy who moves my machines uses a dutro vending dolly, makes it look easy

[dloiselle]

Does he have one with the kick out wheels?

I rented a set of rolalift today, great concept, but in my opinion no where even close to worth the money. The OEM straps are terrible, I moved a 5900 and they would not tighten up enough around it, they aren't ratchet straps but cam lock instead. The bottle jacks don;t have enough of a lift, fully extended they lifted the machine about 1.5 inches. It sure did make it a whole lot easier than trying to use a hand truck I think. Jack it up and roll it away. When I got to a threshold though, again the straps are terrible so one pulled over half way out from underneath the machine. Did this when I put it on and off the trailer also. The trailer I had drops right to the ground so very little lip there.

These things list for well over $1k. No way in my mind are they worth even close to that. I figure I can build a set at less than probably $350.00

[PhenomZ]

It all depends on what you are moving. If you are moving snack machines on legs you need a pallet jack with forks 21" apart. If you are moving a drink machine you need a tall Stevens or Dutro dolly with the large kick back wheels or a Jansen organ and piano dolly, my favorite. Always use the best and correct equipment for moving machines. You can cause more damage to your equipment, your surroundings or yourself than you would think possible. Never move a drink machine loaded with drinks. I saw one slide off a truck into a plate glass window because it was so heavy once in started sliding it couldn't be stopped.

Thanks a lot! The Dutro is exactly what I was looking for.

[vend1ng]

Thanks a lot! The Dutro is exactly what I was looking for.

Eat your hearts out guys! ..... 12 years ago I designed a dolly to move vending machines I have been using it for 10 years its a one of a kind and it truely obsoletes pallet jacks, piano dollies, roll dollies, 2 wheel big wheel dollies and anything else you can think of. It doesn't climb stairs is the only thing it won't do but in todays world it doesn't need to everything should be handicap accessible and it will put a vending machine anywhere a wheel chair will go. It is kept under lock and key and I am the only one that uses it. I know it sounds to good to be true but it is FACT guranteed. I have never tried to sell or market it but if anybody is interested or knows of anybody that would be interested I'm in the market to do something. For anybody who has ever tried to move a vending machine you would be amazed at how easy and simple it is. The dolly is appx 27# and is rated for 1200# capacity it can even move 25 cases of can pop with ease. The proof is my liability Insurance company (liability ins is based on employees) They told me they would not insure me to move vending machines becuse I work by myself and vending machine require 2 people. I designed and built this dolly to prove them wrong. I now have liability ins covering me to move machines. I have used this dolly for 10 years without a failure,accident or injury or any insurance claims.Just a thought.
vend1ng

[dogcow]

Eat your hearts out guys! ..... 12 years ago I designed a dolly to move vending machines I have been using it for 10 years its a one of a kind and it truely obsoletes pallet jacks, piano dollies, roll dollies, 2 wheel big wheel dollies and anything else you can think of. It doesn't climb stairs is the only thing it won't do but in todays world it doesn't need to everything should be handicap accessible and it will put a vending machine anywhere a wheel chair will go. It is kept under lock and key and I am the only one that uses it. I know it sounds to good to be true but it is FACT guranteed. I have never tried to sell or market it but if anybody is interested or knows of anybody that would be interested I'm in the market to do something. For anybody who has ever tried to move a vending machine you would be amazed at how easy and simple it is. The dolly is appx 27# and is rated for 1200# capacity it can even move 25 cases of can pop with ease. The proof is my liability Insurance company (liability ins is based on employees) They told me they would not insure me to move vending machines becuse I work by myself and vending machine require 2 people. I designed and built this dolly to prove them wrong. I now have liability ins covering me to move machines. I have used this dolly for 10 years without a failure,accident or injury or any insurance claims.Just a thought.
vend1ng

you should patent it

[Coy]

I have been doing this for about a year now. You need a Dutro Dolly For sure. I also just started a Vending machine moving Company as a side line, I have a stakebed truck with a liftgate and all the moving equipmant. just need the customers.

[MVSJOHN]

I have been doing this for about a year now. You need a Dutro Dolly For sure. I also just started a Vending machine moving Company as a side line, I have a stakebed truck with a liftgate and all the moving equipmant. just need the customers.

Where are you located?
John

[Coy]

Where are you located?
John

[Coy]

Where are you located?
John

I am located in San Bernardino Ca. and I have a huge area for deliveries. from San Bernardino to Bakersfied-Palm Springs-L.A-San Diego. Cat City- Santa Barbara. Low prices and great service. for years I Installed Vending Machines for Glacier Water and 7 up.

[MVSJOHN]

I am located in San Bernardino Ca. and I have a huge area for deliveries. from San Bernardino to Bakersfied-Palm Springs-L.A-San Diego. Cat City- Santa Barbara. Low prices and great service. for years I Installed Vending Machines for Glacier Water and 7 up.

Ok,I'm in Florida so its a bit far for a delivery
John

[Vending Chat]

Please look through the video of interesting device for vending machine moving by one man