Back health

[callofcthulhu]

It people like this that keep medical people like me very busy. See you in 20 years..... and bring your cheque book.

Really? The people who realize they have a problem and look for the resources to solve it before it's too late are the people who need medical attention? Well then why am I even bothering...?

In all seriousness, to you guys recommending dollys and the like, the things are on casters, the problem isn't moving them, it's lifting them.

There really isn't just a nice step by step diagram or video you guys can link me to?

 

[millsbass5]

Good grief, whatever you do, cut it out with the macho "lifting it yourself" shtick!! I have never had a back problem/injury in my 47 years on this earth. Until now, that is. And, mine is just due to the weird, freak injuries that plague us here on this round blob that we call earth.
I recently had a growth, and some severe infection removed, that was intertwined, in and around my spine. That was OVER a month and a half ago. And, where am I? I'm STILL laying flat on my back, in the bed, with a PICC line in my arm, taking IV antibiotics 2x daily. Oh, not to mention the morphine, AND roxycodone pills they have me eating like M&M's, too. Believe me, I've tried taking less. The pain is just way too intense right now. Hell, it hurts just to breathe! And, my neurologist told me it could take up to a year to get myself right again.
My, oh my. The things we take for granted in this life. And, remember, my ordeal wasn't even caused by myself! If it were, I'd feel a whole lot worse about it. So, in short? Don't think of yourself as some kinda superman. Ask for help when it comes to lifting. You don't get paid by the amount of weight you lift. And, it doesn't make you any less of a man, man.

 

[David Jayne]

In all seriousness, to you guys recommending dollys and the like, the things are on casters, the problem isn't moving them, it's lifting them.

I think what's being suggested is, imagine a hand truck that's nearly as tall as the stack. Now, if you loaded both cabs onto it while it's lying down all you'd have to do is tip the whole thing vertical. You still have to lift, but mostly with your legs. It does away with the 'arch your back to get it up there' problem, which is what gets you hurt.

 

[fearceol]

the problem isn't moving them, it's lifting them.

Hopefully you have got the message at this stage. If you cant lift in a safe manner on your own....seek help.

Simple as that.

 

[guy n. cognito]

Really? The people who realize they have a problem and look for the resources to solve it before it's too late are the people who need medical attention? Well then why am I even bothering...?

In all seriousness, to you guys recommending dollys and the like, the things are on casters, the problem isn't moving them, it's lifting them.

There really isn't just a nice step by step diagram or video you guys can link me to?

No, there really isn't. Suggest you take the advice you've been given.

 

[lfmn16]

I can't believe no one has asked the OP WHY he feels the need to lift these cabinets by himself.

To the OP - you've gotten your advice - don't do it.

 

[guy n. cognito]

I can't believe no one has asked the OP WHY he feels the need to lift these cabinets by himself.

To the OP - you've gotten your advice - don't do it.

I think we know why.......

 

[RJC1811]

You get smarter as you get older, usually out of necessity.

I use a folding 2 wheel dolly to move my cab and it's a neo 410. I would suggest you use a dolly to move the equipment into place and then get help lifting cabs on top of each other or pa speakers onto stands.

Back health in general is a great idea. Its all about flexibility and strengthening your core. A couple sessions with a good physical therapist to learn proper techniques would be very valuable.

 

[INTP]

Do pilates 3+ times per week to strengthen your core.

Get lighter equipment.

Team Lift.


To quote the great philosopher Neil Ellwood Peart, "...we're only immortal for a limited time"

 

[Schmorgy]

I can't believe no one has asked the OP WHY he feels the need to lift these cabinets by himself.

Because the vocalist's not going to help...

You could always consider investing in some of these neodymium cabs/speakers that are coming out. The drivers in them are considerably lighter, and while they may not have "That sound" that you're used to, the point will be pretty moot if you can't get up and perform with whatever you have anyway.

 

[lfmn16]

Because the vocalist's not going to help...
.

"I'm the only one in the band strong enough to lift them on my own (obviously the others help, but they have to do it 2 to a cab)."

I don't think that is the issue.

 

[FretNoMore]

Use a dolly to move the cabs, unless they have their own wheels.
Get help from a band mate to lift the cabs into place.

Simple, don't see what else needs to be said.

 

[callofcthulhu]

I think what's being suggested is, imagine a hand truck that's nearly as tall as the stack. Now, if you loaded both cabs onto it while it's lying down all you'd have to do is tip the whole thing vertical. You still have to lift, but mostly with your legs. It does away with the 'arch your back to get it up there' problem, which is what gets you hurt.

Ohhh... See, now that I like. Thank you for explaining that more clearly.

And to the rest of you, thanks for all the "keep killing yourself, tough guy" comments, but as fun as they are, the reason I actually posted the thread was to get helpful and creative suggestions like David's, not to have my brain/ego ratio questioned. As I already stated, if that was the issue, I wouldn't be seeking advice in the first place.

Because the vocalist's not going to help...

In this case it's the drummer, actually. But I do find I strain myself harder in a team lift with the vocalist than I do just going solo, since I have to compensate for her size/strength.

Looking forward to any other creative solutions.

 

[guy n. cognito]

Teach your vocalist how to lift properly, or kick your drummer in the nads until he can spare 20 seconds to help you.

Creative enough?

You won't see many professional roadies trying to stack 412s by themselves. There's a reason for that.

 

[David Jayne]

Looking forward to any other creative solutions.

Well, as has already been said, it really is pretty absurd to accept the idea that you can't get help. It's like 10 seconds of someone's time. Good luck!

 

[Groove Doctor]

Link Removed

http://www.workplacesafetyadvice.co.uk/guide-manual-handling-lifting-techniques.html

Generally, anything over 50-60lbs should be a two person lift.

You have 25 posts saying don't do it solo/ get help, and 1 saying don't do it solo/ use a device instead.

 

[fearceol]

I actually posted the thread was to get helpful and creative suggestions like David's,

I would have thought that the advice to "seek help...dont do it alone"....is at least as helpful and constructive as David's.

I cant understand your defensive attitude, when people are just trying to help. If this involves a bit of banter about your ego, all the better, if it helps you to get the message. Besides, a big strong guy like yourself can take it.......right ??????

 

[Phil Smith]

Ohhh... See, now that I like. Thank you for explaining that more clearly.

And to the rest of you, thanks for all the "keep killing yourself, tough guy" comments, but as fun as they are, the reason I actually posted the thread was to get helpful and creative suggestions like David's, not to have my brain/ego ratio questioned. As I already stated, if that was the issue, I wouldn't be seeking advice in the first place.



In this case it's the drummer, actually. But I do find I strain myself harder in a team lift with the vocalist than I do just going solo, since I have to compensate for her size/strength.

Looking forward to any other creative solutions.

It wasn't David's creative suggestion, it was mine.

 

[callofcthulhu]

I would have thought that the advice to "seek help...dont do it alone"....is at least as helpful and constructive as David's.

I cant understand your defensive attitude, when people are just trying to help. If this involves a bit of banter about your ego, all the better, if it helps you to get the message. Besides, a big strong guy like yourself can take it.......right ??????

Sticks and stones may break my back, but words.... Words cut deep man...

Also:

And just to keep some variety in the answers, let's just assume that team lift is not an option.

It wasn't David's creative suggestion, it was mine.

Sorry, Phil my bad. Credit where credit's due; thanks for the suggestion.

 

[BlueTalon]

I'm going to attempt to answer the OP's original question, at the risk of drawing the ire of everyone else.

Your cab should have a handle on the top or two handles on the sides. If there are two on the sides, you might be able to do a proper squat lift from the ground. But let's assume you can't get a good enough position on it to do that. The next thing to try is to tilt the cab, slide something that's 6"-10" high underneath it, and then level it out on the higher surface. That should put you in a better position. Hug it close to your body, keep your back vertical, and lift with your legs.

If it has a strap handle on the top, what I do in situations like that is put one leg forward and use it as a fulcrum. Probably a good idea to start by elevating the cab a bit using the tilt method described earlier. Keep your back straight, lean back just a bit, and lift the cab using your arms. Once it's high enough to rest on your thigh, bend your knee a bit as if you were lunging. That will tilt the cab and elevate the bottom on the far side, and it should be enough for you to rest it on the cab you are stacking on. If not, you can lift it higher by extending your ankle with your calf muscles and rolling your hips forward. Once it's there, you can slide or shuffle it forward a bit if need be, and then just pivot it up the rest of the way onto the other cab, and shift it around to where it's going to be.