Tool for moving heavy plant pots.

I need to get some sort of sack truck for moving large and heavy pots - more than 50L, terracotta, JI, and some of them with quite large plants.

Anyone had any good experiences, or bad experiences? Advice appreciated!

 

I've got a sack Barrow, could do with a bigger one some times.
Go for pneumatic tyres, they are worth any extra it might cost.

 

Thanks. Is a two wheel barrow better than a platform one with four wheels?

 

Well, I'd say yes.
A normal sack barrow you can get it under the pot without lifting it, then tip it back to move it, I even sometime use rope to attach the pot to the barrow.

Surely with four wheels you are going to have to lift the pot onto it?

 

Will you need to manoeuvre on steps or lawn? If not, a basic wooden/plywood platform on 4 castors is great. I move 100l terracotta pots around like that. There's a technique to getting them onto it, though. Place platform near pot and saucer, tip up pot, steady with one hand, insert edge of platform as far under pot as possible. Place foot on platform so it doesn't 'escape' or tip up, try not to fall over, pull pot fully onto platform..... and pull the lot around by the strong cord previously attached to a couple of screw-in hooks

 

Second the two-wheel sack truck. I've moved all sorts of stuff with mine - the most impressive was an entire double-width wardrobe! I've also shifted a large pear tree (at least 100l pot, roughly 10ft mature tree) which was a show plant in a garden centre that was closing down.

So long as the base of whatever you're moving is flat, sturdy, and less than 2-3" from the edge of what you're moving, you're good. Roof rack ratchet straps are definitely your friend to keep it all attached, but after that your only problem is leverage and steering.

You must get pneumatic tyres, and you must get a solid steel one. Collapsible ones have their place for shifting large light boxes, but they aren't designed for carrying anything serious.

 

Thanks for all these comments. I've run into a problem -- this

The top of the pot is about 60cm and the bottom less of course, but it's hard to measure -- maybe 45cm (24 inches x 18 inches.) All the ones I can see on ebay and amazon have a much smaller toe plate.

If anyone knows of a suitable one, please say!

 

I actually get pots far bigger than the bottom plate on mine.
Which is why I said I'd like a bigger one.
I get it under the pot then tie the pot, or if its a big plant, the plant, to the back, then foot on axle tip it backwards.
Can be a struggle if its a really heavy one but usually get away with it.
Got mine at Machine Mart a few years ago.
Machine Mart Power Tools and Machinery: Clarke, Dewalt, Makita, Ryobi, Bosch - Machine Mart

 

I think you'll probably be ok so long as the base and sides are strong enough. You'll just need those ratchet ties on the sides to pull the sack truck flush against the side. A small chock at the back of the sack truck plate might help the base sit better.