Lifting heavy boxes/ what's your approach?

Bob Dodge · Jan 22, 2012

Guys, I have a little "weight problem"; specifically, a pair of U15p's, and two pairs of EF500pb's. Average weight is roughly 85-90 lbs. I simply don't have the budget or clientele, to switch to light-weight tops, and recently, I have developed a bit of a back problem, that has not responded well to therapy. Doc says it'll probably be permanent, and my age doesn't help either (64 in a few months).

Now, I imagine many of you have helpers, but where no helpers are available, how are you hoisting your heavier mains? I'm not talking about elevating them with crank-stands and such,,,, I'm more curious about how you're getting up on the crank-stands in the first place, from floor level.

Thanks,

Bob

Milt Hathaway · Jan 22, 2012

Re: Lifting heavy boxes/ what's your approach?

I remember that lighter equipment and/or helpers will ultimately be cheaper than the medical bills resulting from the urge to sacrifice my body for clients who really don't care.

Tim McCulloch · Jan 22, 2012

Re: Lifting heavy boxes/ what's your approach?

It depends on the crank up stand... if it uses the pole mount, you're gonna need a helper. I have no problem telling clients I need a helper at their gig. I try to make quick and effective use of them. If the client says "we can't provide such help" I add $100 to the price and hire a friend to help with the in and out. If the client complains I remind them that finding me a helper for 30 minutes, for the in and out, will make the $100 fee go away. I've also found, when working hotel ballrooms and similar facilities, that a $10 tip to a houseman will get me some low skill labor for the brief times I need help.

You need to build help into your fee structure or come with with lifts that the speakers hang under, rather that sit on top of. Then you'd need help with the lifts....

Also I saw your post about stairs and similar architectural obstacles. Nothing I take to gigs like yours are bigger or heavier than a person in a wheel chair, so I ask about handicap accessibility. If the only access is up or down stairs, I tell the client there is a "PITA" (pain in the access) fee to pay for help.

And about client-supplied help... easier to have on the load in, but they seem to disappear when you need them on the out, or they've had more to drink than you're comfortable with, etc. I usually get what we used to call a "loader deposit" that was $100 per helper, in CASH ONLY, at the time of arrival. If the agreed-upon helpers were there at the in, half the money immediately was refunded to the client. If the help was all there on the out, the remaining deposit was immediately refunded upon conclusion of the out. If help was missing, I got on the phone and called up a couple of buddies, who I paid with the client's cash. Will this be off-putting to some clients? Yes. And they are the kind of clients that don't care about your 64 year old back or anything else. These are the kind that you simply hire help and build the cost into your fee.

Injuring yourself or others because the client is a cheap-ass or books their events in inaccessible venues is a form of martyrdom... and the only successful martyrs are dead martyrs. Don't hurt yourself because simple-minded clients don't understand the personal injury risks, simply get assistance or decline their gig. None of this shit is worth hurting yourself over.

Have fun, good luck.

Tim Mc

Mike Pyle · Jan 22, 2012

Re: Lifting heavy boxes/ what's your approach?

Start with the cabinet upside down. Open the stand and stick it in the pole cup, then push it over on it's side with the base of the stand in the vicinity where you want it placed. Then grab the speaker and walk it up from the sideways position. Don't try to do this with cheap-ass stands or they will snap like a twig and break your foot. While this is equipment abuse, quality stands I use have withstood it for years.

Rob Timmerman · Jan 22, 2012

Re: Lifting heavy boxes/ what's your approach?

If it's heavier than ~75 lbs (or 50 lbs and is awkward), it's a two+ person lift. While there are crank-type fork lifts (the Genie has several, for example), that's just another expense, more weight, etc.

If you can't shift to lighter speakers, Tim has the right answer - pass the costs of additional labor on to the client.

Bob Dodge · Jan 22, 2012

Re: Lifting heavy boxes/ what's your approach?

I should have phrased my question differently,,, Is there a piece of gear I can use, to lift the speakers onto stands,,, by myself? On many occasions, at the end of the night, when everybody's gone, including those who've said they'd help (while still sober), I find myself alone to pack out.

Mike McNany · Jan 22, 2012