Moving gas pumps

[Nolatoolguy]

I know this isn't the gas pump forum but I figured someone might suggestions.

A antique store I visit is moving, down the road. She was looking for help moving and somehow I said yes in exchange for some tools and cash. The new owner had the store not even two years. When bought there were about 50 gas pumps. None of them worked and most were missing parts. Shes now down to 17 an wants to keep the ones she has. 6 of the 17 pumps are tall visible pumps. Shes got a whole bunch of guys to help but were sorta clueless.

I have saw pumps on a trailer at a antique market standing up. I have also saw pumps laying down. We really aren't sure whats best. I would think its easiest and definitely safest laying down. So when there laying down what parts are good to strap to? Is there areas that should be avoided?

The one guy has a open care hauler wele be using. Shele also be renting a box truck for a week to do all the other stuff.

So if anyone has any advice please feel free to chime in.

[Aunt Phil]

My boy, you do come up with some fun projects.
I can only presume WTH you're talking about, and my presumption is 1940s vintage pumps with a glass lighted globe on top. 
They ain't all that heavy, but the lower faces are only held on by a flimsey lock setup.
Remove top globe & move seperately in a padded container
Wrap remaining pump body in moving blanket & strap securely around bottom about 1/3 of height up from floor to secure faces.
Insert refrigerator cart or good 2 wheel cart & STRAP pump to cart.
If the pump assembly is present the unit will be bottom heavy.  Pump not present unit is top heavy.
Lay down on triler and secure properly.
DON'T even think about carrying them.  Bottom casting has sharp edges.

[stormking]

I have moved many gas pumps. With visible pumps the glass cylinder is fragile, with just the rods giving it strength. If you look at the glass cylinder top and bottom and don't see putty holding it in, its best to take the top including the glass off the pump and transport separately.   Don't lift and carry pump from the bonnet (top), lift from casting just below the cylinder. Safest to move standing up if you can, if you have to move lying down make sure not to stress the cylinder. If broken, the glass cylinders cost about $600 to replace depending on which model. As Aunt Phil said, when moving you can use a hand truck but beware they are very top heavy. Clock faces and electrics  (shorter) are much easier to move. Globes are the advertising part that go on top of the pump, always remove these if present before you move any pump (three screws at base). Probably more than you wanted to know. Good luck.

[Papaw]

The most valuable parts are the glass and top globes. Protect these more than anyone would think of protecting them!
Two or three man job to be safest.

[Chillylulu]

I bought a 1960's or 1970's gas pump at auction in December. About 2-1/2' to 3' diameter Stainless steel with a white plastic top that housed lighting.  All the pump and stuff was in there.  I had it on my truck vertically, but when I unloaded other stuff at my house we laid it down in the bed for the 8 miles to my father-in-laws. That was a bad decision.  I broke the plastic lighting top.  We unloaded it by driving my truck under a 4 post lift, strapping it to the frame, taking the lift up a few inches and driving out from under it.

Lessons learned:

1. Remove globe, all glass, and anything else breakable.
2. Keep them vertical if you can.
3. Make a structure or have a way to securely tie them off above the center of gravity.
4. Wear leather gloves, the edges are sharper than you would think.
5. Pre-plan the way you will unload.

The rest of the story:

The week before last on Friday I was picking up another auction buy.  The other two pumps (that I had been out bid on) were outside the back door of the auction house. They told me the other buyer broke the glass in one and couldn't load them up. A good customer, he walked away from them. They will be re-listing them for him in the next little while.  I asked if I won one if I could just take parts. Got a good laugh. I paid $28.75 for the one.  The plastic light cover will probably cost two or three times what I paid for the pump.

Chilly out.........

[Lostmind]

If you have to lay them down , hay or straw bales for support helps.

[skipskip]

Not an expert either, but I have moved quite a few.

standing up is better if you can secure them to something

TAKE YOUR TIME!!!

[Nolatoolguy]

I totally agree with Aunt Phil. Most 19 year old kids will be sleeping in after a long night of playing xbox at some party. I will just be moving rather large antiques first thing in the morning. Ile walk away with some cash an a wrench.

From what I am told two are Wayne model 615, if my memory serves me correct there just over ten feet tall. Then there are four that are similar in style. The other 11 she refers to as "clock face" pumps, Those are all different. The newest one is from the late fifties ime told. Honestly I don't know anything about gas pumps.

Some of the pumps already have the glass removed. Some still have the glass in place. We will remove all the glass we can before doing anything.

At the new store there is a large rear garage door. Its planned to back the trailer right up in an drop the big stuff off before she sets up all the small stuff.

Then there is glass display cases and furniture to be moved. Those should be straight forward, but I could be wrong. There is a few potbelly stoves and other stuff she sold cheaply so it wont have to be moved.

Thanks for all the advice, ile bring it forward. Everyone had great points.