How I move a pin (in a minivan)

Everybody has their own approach based on the vehicle and cart they have, but here is my method - maybe there's an idea you can take from it to make your own pin moving easier.

I use a hydraulic lift cart (Kragen $99) which I outfitted with plywood side rails and a 2x4 frame on top.  The frame has some large diameter wheels on the side in front and back (4 wheel total) which makes it a lot easier to load and unload from a car.

Here are the steps to load (with pictures wherever I have them..)

  1. Roll the cart and frame under the pin (unplugged with top down) and lift it up
  2. Remove the legs and load separately (don't lose those bolts!).  You may want to mark the leg positions so you are closer to level when you put them back at the destination.
  3. Place some plywood on the vehicle floor (if you need a little help rolling).  My van has carpet and seat attach points, so the plywood is a must. - I use a size that also make a ramp for a step or two which is sometimes handy
  4. Line up the cart with the back of the vehicle.
  5. Push it into place relying on the wheels for easy loading:
  6. The pin filly loaded in the middle of the van
  7. Securing the load - in my van, with the seats removed, the dangling seatbelts are perfect for securing the pin!  I wrap these around each side front and back - be careful not to put them on so far that you can't remove them when the seatbelt locks!  From the back (with cart and a spare playfield on each side):
  8. :
  9. From the front:

To unload, just follow the steps in reverse.  When you set down your pin, leave the cart there until you have it level - it's nice to raise it up, adjust the feet, and set it back down to get it just right.

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