Anyone using these and if so what are your thoughts/impressions. The video shows one person moving a copier and makes it look easy. We are a small outfit and don't always have two people handy to load machines.
http://escalera.com/

I don't know about the new model with the hand crank but I've been using their stair climber for years.

It's a great product, but it's no day in the park. The trick is to have the perfect balance of weight, if it gets top heavy you'll lose the machine and whoever is on the staircase.

Some complaints...

Wear gloves! The polished steel gets really slick when you sweat.

The up/downstairs toggle switch will cramp the hell out of your finger on a big staircase.

Gotta get it though, it's a necessary evil in this biz.

The place I work for now has that very model. I've used it a few times now, and it does have a substantial learning curve to operate it. Still requires muscle power, and learning how to get the correct tilt-angle so it's balanced is key. The torque of the climber feet does make the machine try to tilt away from that balance point, so you typically are fighting that as the copier climbs the steps.

Also the forks don't just fit under a floor-standing copier, requires a couple people to lift on/off. If the fork-lift is not attached it can be a one person job.

We have used ours for about 10 years. We are able to use it on models up through the TASKalfa color. Any console machines or wide format I still use an outside vendor. Other posts are correct, you have to fight the climber from wanting to tip you forward as you go up or down the stairs. On the way down you can sit on the steps and some find that easier.

I want one
but cost

My buddy delivered a Ri5530 to my customer and it was a snap, his was the electric version
I wanted one since

We carry everything anywhere by hand. Large format,etc. We rent an appliance dolly from time to time. But they won`t buy anything.After almost 20 years i have back trouble. I don`t move as much as i used to though. They let some of the younger guys move them.We have a ramp that flips down on the back of a Sprinter truck. You need two people, and you have to hit it hard and put your shoulder into it to make it into the truck.

They are $1,700 new, so it's not an unreasonable investment into your company,fpi_200

Thanks all, Got the forklift(hand crank) with the electric stair climber. Absolutely love it, you guys were spot on. Able to move copier boxes with only one person and stack them with relative ease. To Chris L, there is a plate that clips to the forks for moving copiers with the forks on else the company recommends taking the forks off and using the big toeplate for moving copiers. I'll take it either way.
Ben
Currently in Dallas, the only student in the only class...very lonely.

what class are you in ?
cant believe they have a class for one person

quote:

Originally posted by fpi_2000:
Thanks all, Got the forklift(hand crank) with the electric stair climber. Absolutely love it, you guys were spot on. Able to move copier boxes with only one person and stack them with relative ease. To Chris L, there is a plate that clips to the forks for moving copiers with the forks on else the company recommends taking the forks off and using the big toeplate for moving copiers. I'll take it either way.
Ben
Currently in Dallas, the only student in the only class...very lonely.

HyPass, and yes it does seem kind of silly but glad they ran it as this was a good time for me to get away.