Primarily Petroliana Shop Talk Forums Shop Talk Petroliana Forums General Petroliana Discussion Pump Loading Dolly

Every pump guy I know has one of these but I thought I would share my latest design especially for people new to the pump hobby.

These make loading a pump in a pickup so much easier. My old one was getting ragged and I had been thinking on improving the design. The single best feature is the notch to catch the tail gate. If you ever tried loading a pump in the back of a pickup, as soon as you pick the pump up to tilt it in, the pump wants to chase your a$$ backwards. As you can see in the pictures it could not be any easier (unless you had your buddy do all the work...lol) There is no way I could stand there and hold the pump up with 2 fingers without the notches.

The next best addition was the wheels, after is tilted into the bed it just rolls right in. The grab handles are from a Bennett pump. All totaled, I have less than $20 into it. Bought treated lumber at Home Depot and the rest was stuff I had lying around.

I'm sure there is more refinements that could be made, share them if you got them.

Tom.

The rest of the pictures.

You are the best pump guy I know Tom and now I know my back is going to like you so much more! LOL

Thanks for posting!

I used to have something similar that was stolen out of truck at a swap meet, had a roller all the way across the front but no notch cut into the wood frame.

Retired guys have way too much time on their hands! Paul www.severngaspumps.com

A Mailmans best friend.
SharkTank on line 2..

Now there is a man clearly enjoying his retirement, having fun doing what he like to do and making many of us envy him even more. Certainly makes it less likely that the pump would ever fall on him doesn't it?

My answer for not killing my back loading pumps in my 4x4 F 250 diesel. Stock truck is higher than 1/2 ton because of 4 wheel drive. Will start on this tomorrow. Thanks Tom!!!

Aaahhhhh....the retired life! Now I have time to do these silly little things.
Tom.

How about a drawing with dimensions and location of the notch! I like this more than mine!

Kevin the notch will vary depending on height of tailgate.

Great IDEA !!!!!

Thank you



Sid

Great idea, and hope that tail gate is strong.

John is exactly right about the notch, it depend on the height of the tail gate. I wish I was smart enough to give a mathematical calculation...but.....I just eyeballed it. Before you cut the notch get someone to help lift and try varying the angle till you find the right pivot point.

This sure beats the peice of plywood I keep in the back of my truck. Thanks tom!

Maybe a couple different notches located a couple inches apart. Tallness and weight of the pump will vary, equals balance point varies. My Daddy always said: "Work smarter, not harder." Ed.

Good idea, I'd build one if I moved pumps around a lot. What about retractable wheels or wheels that can be added once on the ground so you could also use it as a dolly/truck cart, also.

Pretty neat Tom.

Tom, I woke up at 3 A.M. this morning and realized that the pump was not attached to the loading rack? Won't it bounce off during your travels? Maybe a strap or two would help? I'm retired too and this is what I think about when I should be asleep. LOL! Paul www.severngaspumps.com

Why a notch? I would think a 1x2, or maybe a couple of them , across the back side would be better. It would still catch the tailgate and you wouldn't have to worry about the notches lining up.

I would think 1x2s would drag on the tailgate and bed making it harder to load.JMO

Good idea!!

better build another one Tom... i know you're never loading just one!

[/quote] I would think 1x2s would drag on the tailgate and bed making it harder to load.JMO[/quote]

Agreed !

Now I woke up this morning worrying about my friend Paul not sleeping well, so I needed to make an addition.

The great thing about retirement is that I can implement design changes quickly, holddown straps it is.

Now that I got Paul sleeping better at night Craig has to bring up the tailgate thing, now I'm worrying....LOL.

This time I loaded a fully loaded pump and it still was not a strain but it did take two hands, not two fingers to pickup.

As always, there is more than one way to skin a cat, share if you got an idea.

Tom.

Now you have something to be proud of! LOL! The straps will let me rest peacefully tonight. Thank you Tom. Paul www.severngaspumps.com

Great job Tom, I like it. You need a patent on it. LOL. You asked about Ideas. A nice coat of paint and some stickers you might have laying around. In your case maybe some Sinclair & Mopar stickers.

I'm only 20 miles from you Tom visiting the wife's parents in Indy after returning from Florida. Not the best of weather to ask for a tour and a ride. But rest a sured I'll be back later this spring & summer. Again great design & job on the pump dolly. Doug

Tom:

On my old dolly, I oriented the crosspieces so that the long boards formed a small barrier on each side of the pump. That eliminated any side-to-side sliding and any need for straps (so far). I am definitely in debt to you, though, for the idea of the notch and the concept of the metal lip at the bottom. Looks like I have some work to do this weekend.

Great setup Tom! I just always used a 24" wide piece of 1/2" plywood with the lower lip and some carpet to protect patina on a nice pump. But I love the wheels on one end. My wife is getting to old to lift those pumps into the truck.
So as long as we are WAY over thinking this, how about an arm that swings out with a winch and cable?
Looks like you are getting serious about your retirement.....
As long as we are sharing:
Now how about a good dolly? This one will move a cast iron visible through grass, sand and gravel. Also easy to push up a ramp. On a flat surface you can move a visible with one hand.

So glad i collect cans.

Smart man!

I HEARD THEY ARE MAKING THEM IN INDIA NOW...

Great design. could the foot be extended out and work for visible pumps?

I have seen some that were built for visibles by making them a little narrower and deeper to cradle the pump. I used 2x4's, you could use 2x6's to make it deeper. It would be a good idea to use a larger piece of angle iron at the bottom, I just used what I had laying around.

Tom.

I'm going to give it a whirl latter. Thanks

Hi Tom, I love. It! So simple that I am wondering why I never made one lol. See you at IG !
Rob

Tom, you could sell these. Make multiple notches for different truck hights .

Rob,
That's all I need to do right now, I can't hardly keep up on all the orders for parts, I guess people figured out I retired. ...LOL.
Look forward to seeing you at IG.
Tom.