I’m going to be helping my brother move various items like big screen TV, sofa, desks, treadmill, etc. and was thinking of purchasing either a Forearm Forklift or a Shoulder Dolly to help us move. Seeking advice from people who have used them… which should I get (or both?)
Edit: will likely be going up an down stairs at some point
I bought a Forearm Forklift when I helped my daughter move. It was great for large awkward stuff because my son-in-law and I didn’t have to worry about where to try to grip things. The leverage is good, too. I give it two thumbs up.
:double take: Whew! I initially thought “foreskin” was one of the words in the title. Can’t imagine either of those words being substitututed without major complications… 
I’ve seen the shoulder dolly being used and was quite impressed. To me, the forearm forklift looks like it would be hard on your arms.
A couple of points here.
When I bought my 25 cubic foot fridge, the delivery men unpacked it on the lawn and carried it in with straps very similar to the shoulder dolly. They made it look easy. Much easier than the job my friend and I had taking the old fridge over to my son’s apartment using an appliance dolly. YMMV.
The second point I would like to make is you can carry a hell of a lot of weight on your back, more than what you can pick up and carry with your arms.
I’ve used Forearm Forklifts. We moved my whole house and my brothers whole house using them, including up and down stairs. A minor strain on the arm, but highly worth it.
I recommend them. Just make sure to use the lowest hole possible to get maximum leverage. After a whole day moving, your arms will hurt a bit, but way less than if you moved without them.
Also, Remember to criss cross them.
Neat! I had never heard of these. Next time I move something, this will be the way.
Thanks
We used the forearm forklift when assembling the panels of our sauna. They weren’t extremely heavy, but they had to be handled from the bottom and carried through a doorway. The forearm forklift was great for carirying something 72" tall through an 80" doorway and not having to crawl.
How do these things do going up or down stairs?
Decent, with a chance of shin-bruising.
Never used the shoulder dolly, but the forearm forklift worked fine going up stairs. In fact, the person going up first could let out some extra slack, the other could shorten the straps, and you could carry something almost level, without banging it.
We didn’t move a lot of really heavy stuff (I don’t think anything was over 200 pounds or so, and most was under 100), so we didn’t have sore arm problems. It was GREAT for the awkward stuff, though. Things that might have other wise taken three or four people just to get a grip on were easy for two of us.
I’ve done a homemade version of this before, just nylon tie-down straps looped under the item and wrapped around our hands. It makes a huge difference even with that kludged-up method. Too many things just don’t have good grab points.
I didn’t know anybody made a commercial version of it.
I’m moving in two weeks and just ordered the shoulder version - looks very practical.
I’ve never used either of them, but the FF looks like it’s much more maneuverable, and would be easier to turn corners with. It also looks like it puts your body closer to the furniture, which could be an advantage in tight spaces. If I were only going to order one set, I’d get the FF, because my arm strength is sufficient to justify and garner more maneuverability.
About 10 years ago the company I worked for bought them (Forearm forklift) for all our home delivery teams (700 stores/teams) to deliver fridges, ranges, washing machines, etc.
After messing around with them in our warehouse the guys were sold. They could carry a range through someone’s house without it ever touching the floor. No dolly, no scratched hardwood floors, no torn vinyl floors, no ripped carpets.
Our claims went immediately down company wide.
I got an appliance handtruck and do all those jobs by myself, with the weight resting on the wheels. The object straps in tight and it goes downstairs with rubber guides near the bottom that protect the stair edges.
http://www.homedepot.com/catalog/productImage/a365734b-3c8e-4a13-8fbc-46da1ff7e6e5_300.jpg
I had bought a new fridge, and I had the delivery guys take the 1940’s fridge from the basement to the garage and the old kitchen fridge to the basement. They used the forearm forklift straps and, for the most part, made it look easy.
The problems that they did have was due to one of the guys being new to the job and hadn’t used them before, and the experienced guy was trying to coach the new guy and he just didn’t get it. Fortunately nothing was damaged. Practice before using them on your antique leaded glass cabinet…the stairs and corners may be tricky.
I have a set of the Forearm Forklift straps and have used them a few times. A little practice would be a good idea.
Until I saw the OP I’d forgotten that I had them. :smack: Could have used thenm two weeks ago to move a cabinet.