How easy are the older machines to move?

Howdy all,
I'm about to possibly purchase my first my first soda machine and have little information other than it's heavy (probably a selectavend S48).  Has anyone tried to move one of their machines without a lift gate?  I'm wondering if I posess enough physical strength to maneuver it up into the bed of my pickup or even up the flimsy aluminum ramp found at the business end of a U-Haul.  I don't really want to pay a moving company to transport it the 150 miles if I don't have to.  Anyone got advice?

[johnieG]

Yes, get a buddy & buy him a Big lunch/dinner! I've gotten quite a few machines home just on the bed of my Ford Ranger, with the help of my brother in law, if you think you're going to roll it up a ramp, good luck if it tips!  
I just dolly the machine so the back is facing the  bed & tip it back slooowly, now with a little help from my brother in law & hopefully the seller you lift & slide it onto the truck, its even a little easier if you have a flat bed trailer thats fairly low to the ground, how ever  if its a monster say like a Mills' 120 ( Yes I've moved one & they REALLY do weigh over 600 pounds!) your better off renting a lift gate cube truck & save you back!
the biggest I've gotten on my Ranger with just one other guy assisting was my Westinghouse MD102, about ~310 pounds
I unloaded it myself by putting down a folded up moving blanket down under the "landing-zone" & slide it off slooowly
& using my weight to control it as it slide down the tailgate.
NEVER try to pull it off from the ground level/rear by yourself!
unless you like having a broken and/or crushed foot.  :'>
us at least two people if at all possible & be carefull. & don't forget an good dolly & rachet type tie-down straps too.

[cvb141]

I moved a Vendo V 256  two weeks ago and the bruise on my knee is almost gone now. We were using an appliance cart with the pneumatic wheels on the back so we could lean it back where it would be balanced without tipping over. We got it balanced, then was doing something else while it sat there slowly compressing the wheels down till it started falling over. I thought I could stop it, it didn't look like it was that heavy,"WRONG." It drove me to the ground with my fingers between my knees and the box. Bruising my fingers and knees. If it's falling, let it go. Use all the help you can get.

[Creighton]

Just moved my RT V-56 around the corner to a different house. Took the compressor assembly out first. Made it a bunch easier. Will be top heavy at this point so be carefull. Lots of tie-down straps and spotters helps as well.

cvb141 is spot on. If it starts to fall, just let it go. Dents can be restored... but you need to be healthy to fix them :-).

Happy Holidays!!
Creighton

[MoonDawg]

If you are planning on restoring this machine, you might look into buying a two-wheeled dolly.  You will use it many times after you've driven out to pick it up. They're about $30.00 for the low end models.                                        The strap version is best but expensive.  I tie a rope through one handle of mine, then wrap it around the machine, and hold it tight with my other hand.
      I have been doing this ever since I tried tipping a V-110 myself, lost my grip on the machine and the dolly hoisted it forward, crashing to the floor onto it's face.(worse, I had just sold it!)
      Once a machine is balanced and rolling, sometimes a wheel can hit an object and stop throwing your load forward. The rope becomes a good safety device.
      Have we given you enought reasons to take a friend with you when you handle this machine for the first time?

Thank you all for your help!  It is great to find such a wealth of information at my fingertips.  I'll be sure to let you all know how it turns out.
A  J

Hello,  I have just read through all the messages here and have experienced just about everyone in moving my first machine.  I have a Ford Ranger and was moving the machine by myself.  First it helps to have a large piece of cardboard for the floor of the bed, it can slide with the machine in and out of the bed, saves on scratching.  I was using a pneumatic tired dolly, one tire was low, and the weight of the machine compressed it enough to break the bead and let it go flat. The machine tipped to one side, I was not able to catch it, but was able to slow its decent to the ground, kept my toes clear.  Fixed the tire, righted the machine with much effort and grunting, finished getting it into the house.  Thankfully, no damage.  Tieing the machine to the dolly is a good safety idea, the second or even a third person is priceless.  And check the tires.

Well, it was an eventful trip to say the least.  I drove the 2.5 hours to the home of the seller and found my new machine sitting next to the barn.  I paid the agreed sum and my friend and I loaded the machine (Dr Pepper Selectivend S96) into the bed of my friends Ford Ranger using my new $30 two wheeled dolly (thanks to everyone for your help and advice).  It wasn't nearly as heavy as I imagined, maybe only about 200-300 lbs.

The machine is a bit rough but very complete.  Sadly it has been in the weather a while so it had a small rusted out section in the top of the machine.  I have already cut it out and welded in new steel.  Amazingly, the coin rejector and vending mechanism works perfectly!  The compressor is shot though and is already at global compressor getting overhauled.  

Currently I'm in the process of stripping down the machine to bare metal and fixing the dents.  I bought the paint today and ordered a new sprayer so the machine should be like new in no time.  

I think the vending machine bug bit me harder than I realized...  On my way home I stopped into an antique mall and there to my surprise was a beautiful and complete Vendo V-83 in pristine original condition.  I bought it for what I think is a fair price ($425.) considering that it needs a freon charge and a new lock.  They are holding it there for me until I can get the time to pick it up.  I'm not looking forward to transporting that one home.  From what I gather, it weighs a good 500 pounds.

So there you have it.  I'll post pics of the machines as I can.  Thanks again for your help.

[Jim]

AJ,

Sounds like you had a very productive trip !

Now that you have the dolly, moving the V-83 won't be as difficult to move.

As Glen (MoonDawg) stated, I recommend getting a few old blankets to aid in sliding machines into/out of pick-up trucks.  Depending on the size/weight of the machine, if you have a hand truck/dolly and a set of blankets, there aren't too many machines you couldn't get by yourself...

Good Luck !  '>

here's the machine.  It's a bit rough looking but under the flaking paint it really isn't all that bad.  Hopefully the pic will show up!
A J

I thought I'd go ahead and make an update while I'm in here.  As of today, the machine is almost ready for paint.  The entire machine is down to bare metal and I have begun to repair the dents.  It's easy to see that this machine came from texas...  All across the bottom of the door there are marks from being kicked with cowboy boots.  

I have already gotten the paint matched up (there was an area of perfectly preserved paint under the tin sign) and am looking forward to applying it.  Anyone with experience in using automotive paints please email me at (lonestaraggie@hotmail.com)!  I'm a bit nervous about mixing the stuff with reducers and the like.  I'm used to spraying industrial paints and thinning the paint with paint thinners, but reducers are a whole new ball game.

I still have not come up with a lock for the machine, but I found out that the main door latches on the early selectivends were operated with an allen wrench.  The lock cylendar was used just as a plug to block access to the hole the allen wrench fits into... functional but odd.  If anyone has an extra lock "plug" please let me know, mine is missing.  The folks at the soda jerk works are in the process of coming up with a similar replica but I would prefer original if I can find one.

Before I realized that what I have is actually a S96, I was able to find a vintage S48 selectivend enameled "builders plate" for the door.  If anyone has a S96 builders plate and wants to trade, let me know.

Have a great day!
 
A J