How to access stacked t/dryers

[Martin]

I don’t believe this subject has come up before and your comments would be appreciated. 😀

How exactly do you guys deal with dryers that are stacked on a washing machine, or indeed repair a washing machine but have to remove the dryer first?

Is it for many a case of requiring 2 engineers to attend for example, risk a hernia doing it yourself, or get the customer to lend a hand?

A 2 engineer call is costly, doing it yourself could easily create damage to you and the appliances (not to mention the kitchen floor and furniture) and asking the customer to help may cause certain liability issues if someone gets injured?

OK, just to get the ball rolling so to speak, I will start.

Being on my own I have always dealt with the problem myself and used a varying number of methods to achieve the aim. In almost all cases I use the ‘strap method’, that is a length of blue webbed strap and tension buckle (the sort of thing truckers use for securing their loads and stuff). Uncouple the dryer from its stacking kit, lift it one side to slide in the strap then tighten the buckle (at the back of course) with one hand behind the strap at the top. Then lift up, over and down on the deck.

In confined spaces (airing cupboards etc) the same applies but before fitting the strap I place a strip of old hot water tank jacket behind the strap before tightening lest I damage something by knocking against the wall or door etc.

The beauty of using the strap method is that you don’t need to wrap your arms around a 600 by 600 by 820 tin box, but just grab hold of the strap and the rest will follow. Lowering it on the floor is easy (if you remembered to clamp your hand under the strap at the stop of the machine that is?) as gravity will assist in gently lowering it without the need to bend your back and do yourself a mischief.

I would appreciate learning how you guys tackle a ‘stacker’ 😀

[electrofix]

Re: How to access stacked t/dryers

my normal way of dealing with it is to ask customer for help

i can get it down ok but refuse to put it back without help which is not unreasonable and all customers up to now will help when you explain that td is not heavy just awkward

Dave

[Penguin45]

Re: How to access stacked t/dryers

I can deal with the tumble dryer on top no problem – re-stacking is achieved by using a carpet off-cut to slide the dryer over the washer.

The ones that really do my head in are these blasted integrated dishwashers installed 3 feet off the ground. I can’t see into the top basket for a start, which is my problem and I don’t expect any sarcy vertical comments 😀 . Then you have to get the blasted thing out for the most trifling reasons. 3′ off the ground? 2’6″ fill hose – of course. And it’s heavy……

That’s one I’d like some comments on…..

Chris.

[alexa]

Large Condenser Dryers are rare and are therefore dealt with differently.
Samll hoover dryers?
I open the door and put my hand in including my elbow locking my hand up at the top off the drum.
This effectively gives a Bionic feel to your arm and just by moving your shoulder joint you can lift the whole machine and set it down on the floor.
For years I’ve been going to design a table the likes of which I think Martin posted a picture.
Its top would be Pneumatic or Ratched up to a suitable height. It’s material would be Aluminium.
It would do for Ovens primarily

[DAZ123]

Re: How to access stacked t/dryers

I can normally manage on my own to get the dryers down. but had a hotpoint wma once stacked on top of tumble dryer 👿 had to order some spares, I wouldn’t have wanted to be near that one if it spun out of balance.

[Phidom]

Re: How to access stacked t/dryers

Martin wrote:
OK, just to get the ball rolling so to speak, I will start.

Being on my own I have always dealt with the problem myself and used a varying number of methods to achieve the aim. In almost all cases I use the ‘strap method’, that is a length of blue webbed strap and tension buckle (the sort of thing truckers use for securing their loads and stuff). Uncouple the dryer from its stacking kit, lift it one side to slide in the strap then tighten the buckle (at the back of course) with one hand behind the strap at the top. Then lift up, over and down on the deck.

😀

I’ve been to plenty of stacked appliances but never actually seen a stacking kit in use. The dryer is usually just dumped on top. If I only need to change thermostats etc I often leave it there and just rotate it to get to the back.

[iadom]

alexa wrote:Large Condenser Dryers are rare and are therefore dealt with differently.
Samll hoover dryers?
I open the door and put my hand in including my elbow locking my hand up at the top off the drum.
This effectively gives a Bionic feel to your arm and just by moving your shoulder joint you can lift the whole machine and set it down on the floor.

Also my preferred method. Having worked for six years full time on various farms before working for Hotpoint, I did a large amount of heavy lifting on a daily basis. I am always careful of my back position in any lift and would always ask for assistance if the position of the appliances made this difficult.

[Author]

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