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[Dave Guilford]

Any tricks you guys have for building tall stacks?   Let's say 2+ 2x18 subs stacked - gets in the 4-6ft height range.  How to get giant mains (100lbs or more) up that high safely?   I can't imagine OSHA is cool with standing on rack cases or the back of a truck. 

Thoughts?

[Tim Weaver]

Material handling lifts.

Forklifts

Chain Gang?

[Sammy Barr]

I've seen it done off the back of a ryder truck with a lift gate.  They were able to back up to the stack and place EAW 850s on top up the subs without breaking a sweat.  I have used two ladders but the tops weren't that heavy.
You could use scaffolds in front of the stacks and place boards at different levels to help with the lift.

[Stephen Kirby]

I know a couple brothers who stacked their dads 850s two high over two high SB1000s the old fashioned way, by climbing and lifting.  They were teenagers and that was just the family business.  Both are touring musicians now, probably a better life. 

[Tim McCulloch]

Since this is big boy forum, I'd say use the big boy ways:  lift truck of whatever configuration or type is suitable for the terrain or facility.

[Bob Leonard]

Since this is big boy forum, I'd say use the big boy ways:  lift truck of whatever configuration or type is suitable for the terrain or facility.

This right here, and done with safety first.

[Jay Barracato]

When I was out west, it was fairly common to see 3 tops over 3 subs for street fairs. Often the tops had a fly bar and Hoist to the stage truss that was left in place even though the weight of the tops was fully on the subs.

I never did figure out if that was just one providers technique that I would see in a number of towns,or a common technique. Honestly in those days I was semi retired from sound and was more interested in trout fishing

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[Jeff Lelko]

I've been occasionally pondering the same thing myself since it's likely my next speaker purchase will push me over the logistical edge to need some sort of lifting device if ground stacking.  Global Industrial seems to have some interesting solutions that might work depending on how high and heavy you need to lift.   

[Tim Hite]

. . . in the 4-6ft height range. . .

Easiest way I have found to do this:

1) Set up the top cabinet in front of the subs, correctly oriented
2) Have one guy on each side of the top box, facing the sub stack grab the upper side handle of the top cabinet with their closest hand
3) With other hand, grab lower handle OR place hand low on front of top cabinet
4) Lift and rotate the top cabinet so that the front of the cabinet is facing down
5) Set the bottom front edge of the top cabinet on top of the stack
6) Walk the top cabinet up into position
7) Using the reverse of this method to get speakers down at the end of the night may require someone standing on top of subs to help lower speaker to handlers

Also works for loading the truck when the lift gate breaks or when some idiot bends the ramp up jamming it in after the last stop.

[George Powell]

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[Peter Morris]

Any tricks you guys have for building tall stacks?   Let's say 2+ 2x18 subs stacked - gets in the 4-6ft height range.  How to get giant mains (100lbs or more) up that high safely?   I can't imagine OSHA is cool with standing on rack cases or the back of a truck. 

Thoughts?

For our small shows I built some winch stands that clip on the back of our double 21" subs.  The subs have a bass that is big enough to allow about 3.2m height and the stands are rated for 100Kg with a 10:1 safety factor; from there we use Penn Elcom stands - 4.0m, then VMB or Work line-array stands 6 m  ... when these are not available we stack on stage decks - the photo shows 6 x Flex Array with 3 subs - one on the deck and 2 under the deck.

We change our inventory some time ago so that anything we may have to lift weighs less than about 40kgs (2 people)   

[Mark Cadwallader]

Northern Tool and Equipment shows a 500# rated crank-up stacker that lifts to 71". Item no 32849-1756; my print catalog says there is a video available online.  It looks like you would need 4" of clearance under the subs to move the stacker into place.

[Chris Grimshaw]

Back when I was using Nexo Alpha regularly, we'd just throw the mid-high boxes up.
Stacking the 2x18" subs (orientated vertically) was a 3-man job. One underneath to walk it up once the guys at the sides had got it somewhere near.

Chris

[Stu McDoniel]

Any tricks you guys have for building tall stacks?   Let's say 2+ 2x18 subs stacked - gets in the 4-6ft height range.  How to get giant mains (100lbs or more) up that high safely?   I can't imagine OSHA is cool with standing on rack cases or the back of a truck. 

Thoughts?

Pickup truck works good.  Set the boxes in the back of the pickup with the gate down.  Back up to the subs and place the boxes on the subs.

[Dave Garoutte]

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Plus you can level out the room.

[Tim McCulloch]

Plus you can level out the room.

That requires a more manly EQ than that little New Holland.

The Caterpillar D9 "Room Equalizer".

[Chris Grimshaw]

That requires a more manly EQ than that little New Holland.

The Caterpillar D9 "Room Equalizer".

When I next work as a guest engineer in a venue, that's going on my rider!

Chris

[Tom Provenza]

For our small shows I built some winch stands that clip on the back of our double 21" subs.  The subs have a bass that is big enough to allow about 3.2m height and the stands are rated for 100Kg with a 10:1 safety facto

Peter,

Would love to see a couple more pics of this solution!

Tom

[Tim Hite]

. . .from there we use Penn Elcom stands - 4.0m, . . .

So, I just spoke with Penn-Elcom and those SAS stands are a great value, but they are designed for indoor use and there is no wind load rating on them. According to sales rep they would have to have eye-bolts added and guy wires run to be used outdoors.

http://www.penn-elcom.com/default.asp?PN=SAS

Really great concept, though. Wish I had more indoor gigs.

[George Powell]

When I next work as a guest engineer in a venue, that's going on my rider!

Chris

It's on my rider! John Deere last week.   


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[Peter Morris]

Peter,

Would love to see a couple more pics of this solution!

Tom

Here are a couple of pictures of the prototype testing. Several improvements have been made since. The top pin in the (bottom) picture is shown not all the way through, just had to increase the clearances a little to make it work correctly or in this case swap the poles / subs around.

Its important that you have a substantial base to make it stable. The double 21" are 710mm x 750mm and the pole is arrange so that the load hangs exactly in the centre.

I'm not happy with the quality of the winch and I am currently looking for a replacement. I had to modify the one shown in the picture to get the worm drive to engage correctly  and weld the assemble in position to ensure its ongoing safety.

You can also remove the handle and use a battery drill / socket to drive it up and down.

The line-array is a single 8" + horn.  It is possible to get 6 boxes on it but the bottom box is around head height.

[Peter Morris]

another picture

[Tom Provenza]

Thanks Peter.

[David Hoover]

Any tricks you guys have for building tall stacks?   Let's say 2+ 2x18 subs stacked - gets in the 4-6ft height range.  How to get giant mains (100lbs or more) up that high safely?   I can't imagine OSHA is cool with standing on rack cases or the back of a truck. 

Thoughts?

Hydraulic lift table carts might help you.  You could even leave speakers on the carts with tie downs if you wanted.  They are a good for getting speakers up in the air a little as well.  They go up about 5 or 6 feet usually and cost 500 to 600 dollars

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