Note to Potters - Make feet on big pots taller than fingers are thick

[BrianBay9]

I volunteer at a permanent collection that tends to inherit big trees as people get too old to manage them. I'm one of the few volunteers without back problems or hip problems etc who can still lift 100 lbs at one end of a huge pot. So me and one other guy tend to do the heavy lifting. I implore you, when you make big pots, build in someplace to put my fingers without getting them crushed! Seems to be a particular problem with large forest pots. I am so happy when the feet are tall enough to let me slip my fingers in without crushing digits when I put the pot back down.

Just one more, very practical thing to keep in mind when you design your pot. Thanks.

 

[pandacular]

A very good insight that can only be found with one too many pinched fingers. Ouch!

If I had to move pots like this with any regularity, I would probably first place them on a small riser to let my hands out, then remove the risers, either one side at a time, or all at once if you have a third set of hands.

 

[BrianBay9]

A very good insight that can only be found with one too many pinched fingers. Ouch!

If I had to move pots like this with any regularity, I would probably first place them on a small riser to let my hands out, then remove the risers, either one side at a time, or all at once if you have a third set of hands.

Good idea. Maybe I'll get something like this -

https://www.amazon.com/Furniture-Ap...991190&sprefix=furniture+mover,aps,731&sr=8-4

 

[Pitoon]

This might help you......

Air wedge bags

 

[RJG2]

A strap for each person would also work.

Red=straps.

 

[BrianBay9]

A strap for each person would also work.

Red=straps.

View attachment 520274

This could work on some trees. On others the lowest limbs would be at the lifters' heads.

We thought about using six foot long 2x4's slid into the gap, with a person on either end of the wood. It would help to get one's head and shoulders out from under the canopy to make the lift. First problem is that the weight of some of these is sufficient to make a very uncomfortable bow in the 2x4's.....made us nervous they might break. On others there wasn't sufficient room underneath the pot to slide the boards in.

We probably need a combination of these types of tools to use on a case by case basis. We probably also need more people that won't break something.

 

[pandacular]

I think you likely need a mix of all of these things, as well as pots with taller feet!

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Agreed! The Shuho pot my hawthorn is in is a finger pincher every time I move it; just enough room to get started, and always a crusher setting it down.

 

[Wires_Guy_wires]

Good idea. Maybe I'll get something like this -

https://www.amazon.com/Furniture-Appliance-Capacity-Adjustable-Refrigerators/dp/B0851BW9KG/ref=sr_1_4?crid=17O9G6HYQHX22&keywords=furniture+mover&qid=1701991190&sprefix=furniture+mover,aps,731&sr=8-4

I like the baggy ones

 

[Kievnstavick]

This could work on some trees. On others the lowest limbs would be at the lifters' heads.

We thought about using six foot long 2x4's slid into the gap, with a person on either end of the wood. It would help to get one's head and shoulders out from under the canopy to make the lift. First problem is that the weight of some of these is sufficient to make a very uncomfortable bow in the 2x4's.....made us nervous they might break. On others there wasn't sufficient room underneath the pot to slide the boards in.

We probably need a combination of these types of tools to use on a case by case basis. We probably also need more people that won't break something.

Another idea similar to using the 2x4s is to use metal instead of wood. The metal (im thinking good old carbon steel, 1x3/4 or something) would have a much higher elastic strength to enable picking up the heavy pots. Use some rubber with a high friction coefficient to prevent damage to the pot and to help prevent slippage.

You can also modify the ends of the beams to allow hands to grip the beams without awkward hand positioning.

To really shore it up, you can also make some removable crossbars.

All that metal will add some weight for the lift, but it shouldn't bend to the point of plastic deformation on you.

 

[River's Edge]

Harbor Freight, change wheels and voila! Two man trees become a thing of the past. Wheel it up, raise bed, slide pot, lower bed and wheel away.
Get the collection to provide one for the staff to use, or hit up a donor or small fundraiser activities.
This piece of equipment is essential as we age and or become more sensible about the risks we take.
Awesome back saver! Plenty of B Nuts use this tool on a daily basis.
Sub Alpine Fir with massive base and large pot.

 

[BrightsideB]

My friend built these jacks we used to slide under large driveway gates we built to set in place before we welded them to the post. They are trailer jacks that you crank and they work perfect for raising heavy stuff up off the ground and holding in place. They are super simple to make. 3 small pieces of steel and a design to meet the application. Slide under and crank that’s it. Two jacks on each side could balance 8ft gates upright in place. I think a 1/4 - 3/8 inch clearance is all you’d need.

 

[BrianBay9]

Harbor Freight, change wheels and voila! Two man trees become a thing of the past. Wheel it up, raise bed, slide pot, lower bed and wheel away.
Get the collection to provide one for the staff to use, or hit up a donor or small fundraiser activities.
This piece of equipment is essential as we age and or become more sensible about the risks we take.
Awesome back saver! Plenty of B Nuts use this tool on a daily basis.
Sub Alpine Fir with massive base and large pot.

We have two of these. Changing to balloon tires is not as easy as one might hope. They do help quite a bit but it's rare that they can be positioned to just slide on and off. The displays and benches were not designed with that in mind.

 

[River's Edge]

We have two of these. Changing to balloon tires is not as easy as one might hope. They do help quite a bit but it's rare that they can be positioned to just slide on and off. The displays and benches were not designed with that in mind.

Thats unfortunate, sure is a benefit for the back! Not sure I could keep any larger trees without one.

 

[Tieball]

I rather like the idea of potters making the legs a bit taller. I think it's something a potter should consider when thinking of the end user of pots created. I do realize it will probably not happen though. Just day-dreaming.

 

[Bonsai Nut]

I have some of these - which make carrying appliances/furniture much more manageable.

 

[BrianBay9]

I have some of these - which make carrying appliances/furniture much more manageable.

View attachment 520463

Yeah I need those two guys to follow me around and lift the heavy ones!

 

[Bonsai Nut]

Yeah I need those two guys to follow me around and lift the heavy ones!

I was pretty dismissive until a friend of mine's son (who was helping us move) refused to do anything without them. After we carried several dressers down a flight of stairs I was a believer

HOWEVER... I know bonsai are not dressers. It is just an option The other alternative I could see if to use the belts under the pot, and then loop the loops over 2x4's which could be lifted at shoulder height. Oh well - hopefully it generates some ideas!

 

[BrianBay9]

I was pretty dismissive until a friend of mine's son (who was helping us move) refused to do anything without them. After we carried several dressers down a flight of stairs I was a believer

HOWEVER... I know bonsai are not dressers. It is just an option The other alternative I could see if to use the belts under the pot, and then loop the loops over 2x4's which could be lifted at shoulder height. Oh well - hopefully it generates some ideas!

Honestly, love the ideas.

 

[Kievnstavick]

Nylon lifting straps in general could work as well with great work holding capacity. (The ones I use at work had a safe working capacity of 3000 lbs).

I didn't think of them before, but they would be a lot less work to set-up then a metal jig.

You should also get some burlap rolls if you go that route to protect the nylon straps from the metal wires and prevent any mid-lift breaks.