Need advice regarding moving of large format printer (Epson 9890)

<p>Hello all,<br /> I have a "heavy" problem - I need to move my photography studio (currently on the first floor) to the premises that are on a third floor of an old building, with fairly narrow stairs (around 1 meter width) and without any freight elevator. And I need to figure out how to move a large format Epson 9890 printer. It should not be heavily tilted, put on a side and so on - in fact, it should remain as even as possible during transport (actually - during moving, since all the action takes place in the same building). Another problem - once removed from its stand, it cannot be put down as the holders used to secure it on the stand would break. I have read all there was to read in the manual, but it says nothing about stairs. Moving the printer through a window from the outside (using a lift) is not an option, windows are too small.<br /> the dimensions of the beast are Width 26.26 inches (667 mm), Length 73.4 inches (1864 mm) and weight is 298 lb (135.1 kg) or ~116 kg without stand.<br /> while the staircase is theoretically ok for moving something of such dimensions, there will also be four strong men - and they need some space too. this is where I start seeing a problem that the staircase will be too narrow to accommodate the whole company. it would be ok if two men could carry it (dimensions-wise), but four...<br /> lifts for moving heavy things upstairs also don't seem suitable (they either require positioning the item in a way that is not good for this device (it's not a fridge, after all) or are just plain too large for the staircase (the ones with an even platform).<br /> I know it all sounds a bit desperate, but other premises for the studio are out of the question. Or, in the worst case scenario, I would have to rent yet another place just for the printer - but that would be totally inefficient from all perspectives.<br /> Perhaps someone has similar experience to share and how did you manage to move your equipment. Thanks in advance for your time.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>Suggestion: Build a wooden or even cardboard dummy of the footprint and do a dry run with it and another weak person first, to figure out how tiny your stairs are. If you are confident get your muscled men going with the footprint dummy too.<br>

Think three times how to make carrying the most comfortable. - Piano belts? - Maybe use a sack barrow with soft tires at the front to climb one step after the other without bending one's spine? Can you prepare something to keep the printer leveled while standing on the stairs if things go wrong and your men need a break?<br>

Are you really sure that the lifting can be done comfortably? - If not: Prepare rags, so holding sharp edges becomes bearable. - One of your guys will forget his gloves! <br>

How did your printer make it into it's current place on the 1st floor? - Are the other stairs different?</p>

<p>thanks for your input. I have thought about the cardboard dummy, just forgot to mention it in the post. So far I have examined the stairs with pocket tape measure, but the dummy is definitely better.<br /> I would expect the hired carrying guys to know their job (in terms of which method would be the most comfortable for them) - my duty is to prevent them from doing something that would damage the printer (like carrying it upwards/sideways, which might be more comfortable for them, but would most likely damage the unit, or putting it on one of its ends, etc). An idea about emergency support for leveling the printer if something goes wrong is good, thanks. <br /> I can't say how comfortable it is to carry this thing, but I am surprised Epson did not make any handles that would facilitate the job (as if ALL of the buyers were supposed to have premises where minimal effort to move the printer was required). What they did was put some anti-slip material underneath the printer body, for "better contact". When we moved the printer to its present location - the four guys simply picked it up and carried all the way from the entrance to the building to my studio. It was fairly heavy, but quite manageable, they said. And yes, that was a separate entrance from the street, with few stairs and lots of space for maneuvering. And now we need to move the printer using the internal staircase of the building, which is fairly narrow for this kind of undertaking.</p>

<p>Hire professionals! Piano movers are good. I had to move a very large, heavy antique safe, more than 1000 pounds, but two professionals just lifted and moved it. You can also build a sturdy "sled" slippery plastic on the bottom that holds the printer at a safe angle. Strong attachment for rope at the front, push bar at the back -- slide it up the steps. <br>

When younger, I moved and helped on house moves with help of members of a Judo Club, strong young men, but not the same as Pros -- things got broken, as can people!<br>

Best of luck with your move.</p>

<p>Sandy - definitely, only professionals will be hired. the damn thing is too expensive and it hasn't even paid off yet:)<br /> Piano movers is a brilliant idea, thank you.</p>

Hi, I wonder how delicate it really is, but if I thought keeping it level was really that critical, I'd be inclined to build a "carrying fixture" for it,

with perhaps a narrow "standing base" allowing it to be temporarily set down on the stairway. I suspect that the workmen carrying it would

think that's more trouble than it's worth, though, and would prefer to just grab the printer and go.

 

If you don't mind spending the money, there is a class of workmen known as "riggers" who are specialists in moving all sorts of large, heavy

things in near-impossible situations. Whereas you see the windows as too small, they consider removing the window and temporarily

enlarging the opening in the wall. In the large photo outfit where I spent a lot of years, professional rigging outfits have moved things such

as paper slitting equipment for us by disconnecting an elevator car and hoisting the equipment through the empty shaft (it's too large to fit in the "car"). Anyway, nothing

will be beyond the capabilities of professional riggers if you have the money.

 

I hope you don't mind me commenting on something you didn't ask, but depending on what you shoot, I wonder if it's a workable studio

location. Any products you might shoot have to go up and down the same stairway. My business has been largely in portrait work,

including families, so parents would be bringing children - infants, 4-year olds, etc., up the same stairway. And elderly grandparents,

perhaps in wheelchairs, would be out of the picture, so to speak. Even young, healthy models may use support staff who have trouble with such a stairway. Anyway, just my two cents on it; best of luck with your move.

I find the add on by Bill C. to be interesting as well. I wonder if there are any-any at all-alternatives to a walk up studio. Is it conceivable to share space. Not prying, but that does sound like a desparate alternative for locating a studio for almost anything except shooting maybe jewelry and vases..would help those contemplating a career in the business.

<p>At the risk of stating the obvious, this printer started life as a number of modules:<br>

ftp://download.epson-europe.com/pub/download/3272/epson327296eu.pdf<br>

(see pages 8 ff)<br>

and could I presume be dismantled down to this level, by Epson technicians if no-one else. This I would imagine would cut down the number of strong men required and greatly reduce the risk of damage. Just a thought!</p>

<p>Thank you all for your comments and ideas.<br /> Bill - it is a perfectly suitable location for a studio - very high ceiling, good location in the very heart of a city in 19th century building, low rent and so on. It is perfectly accessible for everyone walking his/her own feet, it is just not too user-friendly in terms of carrying something bulky and heavy. Actually, I have this space as an extension to my principal activity, which is theatre/event photography on location. So, most of my customers are artists (ballet and modern dancers, to be more precise) - they don't have a problem walking several stairs. I do not photograph family portraits with elderly people, infants, etc. Neither do I take pictures of products and other things that require additional setup/weight lifting every time. So, with or without printer I will move to these premises. The stairs are not too steep or narrow for normal day-to-day walking<br /> The printer is part of a side-business project, it is not strictly related to my studio work, except that the studio space is perfect for handling of large prints (drying, cutting, packaging for framing of prints up to 44 inch wide, etc. ). Also, having the printer in the same space cuts the rent cost (of having two separate premises for each activity).<br /> Gerry - thanks. the sole aspect that might be considered desperate is related to the moving of the printer:) I have no issues with either the location/premises of the studio, or my photographic career. And I do not photograph vases or jewelry:( It is just that there is this beast that needs to be somehow moved. If it turns out impossible or too risky - I will have to look for separate premises nearby to accommodate it. As that would be much easier than finding the premises for a studio (in fact, anything suitable for a photographic studio in the nearby location costs up to three times of what I'll be paying now).<br /> David - yes, I know how this printer is assembled/disassembled - bought it new. the best that can be achieved is shown in picture one (top part of the printer detached from the stand - alone it weighs around 250lb or 116 kg). this is the part that causes greatest concern<br /> Anyway, thank you all for your ideas. I just recalled that some time ago I photographed the opening eve of local Steinway office/shop, so I will give them a call, hopefully they will be able to recommend good piano movers.</p>

Hi, sounds like a great space for your purposes.

 

The "carrying fixture" I was suggesting could be made from standard 2x4 lumber, and be sort of a stand for the printer.

Except that the front legs would be shorter than the rear legs, such that the printer would be level when set on the

stairway, allowing rest periods. For example, if the front/rear were to hit 3 steps apart, then perhaps the front legs could

be about 40 inches tall, with the rear legs about 60 inches tall. Depending on the dimensions of your stairs, of course. You

could then arrange things to allow inserting a couple of 2x4s in each end to use as handles. I made a sketch, and I'll

attach a phone snapshot if I can. Best of luck.

 

Ps, sorry, no luck attaching the photo. If it's not clear what I'm trying to describe, just ask.

<p>This post reminds me of a Laurel and Hardy movie, "The Music Box", where they are hired to, in their case, move a piano up a long flight of stairs. It would be a good movie to watch, but only after you have successfully moved the printer:)</p>

<p>spoke today with the piano movers - they say it is manageable and that they will do the job (said they have moved similar machines in the past). walked the entire path with a ruler over the stairs and corridors, found out that it is no problem to move the printer to the second floor and then it will have to travel over a long corridor to another staircase to be moved to the third floor (the first staircase is too narrow between 2nd and 3rd floors)..<br /> i will surely take some pictures of the process, hopefully all will be well. thank you all for your suggestions and ideas</p>

<p>Glenn, I just watched the episode you mentioned.... you were right, I should not have done that <em>before</em> moving the printer:)</p>

<p>Piano movers, good thought. <br /> Have someone with a video recording cell phone to record the success or disaster to post on YouTube and share with us here on Photo.net. Be sure to dub in some Laurel and Hardy Music. </p>

<p>Best of luck.</p>

<p>Hi, It looks very genuine problem for you. I suggest you to hire professional to move your printer. If you do by yourself, it looks insecure and I see the possibility of damage there.<br>

Also you haven't attached any pics to analyze more about your problem...</p>

<p>Hello, just wanted to share the joy that all went well and the printer has safely arrived to its new home. Will share a pic or two after the studio is fully up and running. Thanks for your ideas everyone.</p>