He Can Move Shipping Containers By Hand

He moves a loaded shipping container by first putting it on improvised wooden “wheels” (poles), then pulling it with a chain hoist and later a tractor-and-winch system, repeatedly leapfrogging the poles to roll and steer it into position. [[youtube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFayoFBneW8)] # Video outline ## Concept and setup - Explains goal: move a very heavy shipping container by hand using common tools and basic mechanical advantage, applicable to many large objects. - Notes weight is very high, emphasizing difficulty of moving such mass without heavy machinery and setting up the “hand tools vs tractor” theme. ## Making wooden rollers (“wheels”) - Uses a chainsaw to fell a dying, bug-damaged tree (and a neighboring dying tree) to cut long, straight poles about 10 ft in length to serve as rollers under the container. - Mentions woodpecker holes and borers as evidence the trees are already dying and justifies using them while joking that he’s making “wheels” thanks to “Grog” inventing the wheel. ## Preparing the ground and base - Uses a tractor to move logs and adjusts the site by placing a 4x6 timber to fill a low spot so the container has a more even, solid surface to roll on. - Reminds viewers to lift the tractor’s back blade and inflate low tires, showing some light tractor prep before focusing on hand-tool movement. ## Initial container orientation and roller layout - Shows the original orientation of the container and describes needing to swing the front end so it can head in a new direction. - Arranges poles under the front like steering wheels (angled in the direction he wants the front to swing) and in the rear like independent wheels, with one side raised on a pole to match ground level and allow different radii of movement. ## Hand-pulling rig with chain hoist - Uses a standing tree as an anchor and attaches a strap around the tree, then strings together multiple chokers to reach from the tree to near the container. - Hooks a chain from the container to a ton-and-a-half chain hoist used as a come‑along, connecting through the string of chokers for adjustability. ## Rigging details and safety - Explains why he links several chokers instead of one long line: easier repositioning when the hoist’s chain runs out of travel. - Demonstrates correct way to hook chain (full link inside hook rather than just the tip) to avoid unsafe loading of the hook. ## Controlling downhill movement - Ties a chain from a rear corner of the container to another tree as a safety restraint because the path is downhill and he doesn’t want the container running away down the hill. - Emphasizes not wanting the container “down there,” implying retrieving it from a ravine or low area would be a separate, more difficult job. ## Adjusting rollers and jacking - As he cranks the hoist and the container rolls, he periodically removes and repositions logs, especially when a log is about to roll out from under a corner or when the container begins to dig into the ground. - Uses a jack (implied by “whenever you have something heavy like this jacked up”) to lift corners, swap logs, and warns strongly not to put body parts under a jacked heavy object that you’re not willing to lose. ## Completing the turn and going straight - After significant cranking, he finishes the hardest part: rotating the container so it points in the desired direction. - Once aligned, he straightens the front “wheels” (rollers) so they face forward, removes unnecessary supports used only for pivoting, and sets all rollers for straight‑line travel. ## Straight pull with dual chains - Connects chains from both front corners of the container to the pulling rig to ensure an even, straight pull without twisting the box. - Highlights how the multiple chained chokers again make it easy to adjust lengths as he resets the rig forward during the move. ## Why not just use the tractor? - Addresses the obvious question: he owns a capable tractor with a winch but is demonstrating hand‑tool methods for viewers who lack machinery and to illustrate basic mechanical advantage. - Admits fatigue from cranking and transitions to a second phase: moving a heavy object when you have a light tractor that cannot lift but can pull. ## Tractor and block-and-tackle setup - Hangs one pulley block on the container and another on a tree, routing the tractor’s winch cable through them to form a multi-part line. - Explains this block system roughly triples pulling force (three cable segments on the container) while reducing speed to one‑third, providing slow, controlled pulling that protects contents from jerking. ## Changing direction with block repositioning - As the container begins pulling toward the anchor tree, he needs a different direction, so he unhooks the block from that tree and reattaches it in a new location more aligned with the desired path. - Notes that he uses straps around trees to limit damage, and that in this case the trees used as anchors are destined to be removed anyway as part of thinning. ## Steering with rollers during tractor pull - Continues the “leap log” method: as rollers come out the back, he drags them to the front, constantly keeping two or more rollers under the container. - Gives the rollers minor angle adjustments to steer the container slightly left or right as it moves so it threads between obstacles. ## Threading between container and tree - Describes wanting to place this container between an existing container and a tree, realizing the gap is too narrow, requiring repositioning of the first container. - Cuts a tree that’s in the way only after finishing with it as a block anchor, freeing space to shift the first container sideways. ## Hand-moving the first container on timbers - Since the first container sits on a slope, he avoids round rollers (to prevent it from rolling uncontrollably downhill) and instead slides it on square timbers. - Works each side alternately, pulling one side, then the other, until he has enough lateral clearance for the second container. ## Final approach and securing on slope - For the second container’s final position on a slope, he removes it from round rollers and puts it onto square timbers to prevent accidental rolling. - After some careful pulling in different directions—“a little this way, that way, and the other way”—he finishes with the container where he wants it. ## Closing remarks and alternatives - Acknowledges “cheating” with the tractor but notes that all the rigging and mechanics would be identical if he had done it entirely by hand; only the source of pulling power would change. - Suggests alternative vehicles like pickups, Jeeps, or light 4‑wheel‑drive vehicles with long lines or heavy ropes and proper rigging can replicate the tractor’s role for many viewers. ![[2026-02-09 17_33_29-.png]] ![[2026-02-09 17_37_44-.png]] ![[2026-02-09 17_37_50-.png]] ![[2026-02-09 17_38_15-.png]] ![[2026-02-09 17_38_39-.png]] ![[2026-02-09 17_38_48-.png]] ![[2026-02-09 17_41_30-.png]] ![[2026-02-09 17_41_33-.png]] ![[2026-02-09 17_41_36-.png]] ![[2026-02-09 17_42_21-.png]] ![[2026-02-09 17_42_23-.png]] # Equipment used ## Cutting, lifting, and support - Chainsaw (for felling trees and cutting them into 10 ft “wheel” poles). - Jack (implied, to lift container corners for inserting/removing logs and timbers). - 4x6 timber and other square timbers/cribbing blocks for leveling low spots and sliding containers. ## Rollers and ground materials - Long wooden poles (cut from dying trees) used as rollers under the container. - Additional timbers used as sliding surfaces when round rollers would be unsafe on slopes. ## Rigging and pulling (hand tools) - Choker cables (multiple chokers linked together between anchor trees and the come‑along/hoist). - Chains (for attaching to container corners and linking rigging components). - Chain hoist rated at about 1.5 tons, used as a hand‑powered come‑along for pulling. - Tree straps (to wrap around trees as anchor points and reduce tree damage). ## Rigging and pulling (tractor phase) - Tractor with front or rear winch (light tractor, not strong enough to lift the container). - Pulley blocks (snatch blocks) attached to the container and to trees, forming a multi‑part line to multiply pulling force and reduce speed. - Winch cable routed through blocks to create three pulling segments on the container. ## Safety and control - Safety chain from a rear container corner to a tree to prevent uncontrolled downhill roll. - Air-filled tires and raised back blade on tractor for stable movement around the site. # Step-by-step directions (hand tools focus) ## 1. Plan the move and assess terrain - Identify starting and ending positions, including any turns, slopes, and obstacles like trees, other containers, or steep drops. - Decide where you can safely anchor to trees or posts, and determine if any slope requires extra restraints or square timbers instead of rollers. ## 2. Prepare rollers and timbers - Cut straight logs or poles of sufficient diameter and length (around 8–10 ft) to use as rollers under the heavy object, ensuring they are sound enough to support the load. - Cut a few square timbers or beams and leveling blocks to fill low spots in the ground and to use as non‑rolling supports on slopes. ## 3. Level and reinforce the path - Walk the intended path and fill low spots with timbers or blocks, especially where corners of the container would otherwise dig into the ground. - If there is a noticeable slope where you do not want uncontrolled motion, plan to use square timbers and additional restraints there instead of round rollers. ## 4. Lift the container onto rollers - Use a jack to lift one corner of the container just enough to slide a roller underneath, keeping your body completely clear from under the load. - Repeat at other corners, placing at least two rollers under the container so it can roll; fill any low ground sections with timbers as needed. ## 5. Orient rollers for turning - At the front, angle the rollers in the direction you want the front of the container to swing, like steering wheels, so rolling action aids in pivoting. - At the rear, set rollers more or less parallel but allow one side to sit slightly higher or have its own pole so each side can travel its own radius during the turn. ## 6. Set up the main anchor and rigging - Wrap a tree strap around a sturdy anchor tree located roughly in the direction you want to pull, making sure the tree can handle the load. - Connect several chokers end‑to‑end from the strap toward the container, creating a flexible chain of adjustable connection points. ## 7. Attach chain hoist (come‑along) and container chain - Hook the body of the chain hoist (come‑along) to the end of the chokers, ensuring the hook fully captures the chain link rather than just the tip. - Attach a chain from the container’s pulling point (corner casting or other strong point) to the hoist’s pulling chain. ## 8. Install downhill safety restraint - If the direction of pull is even slightly downhill, attach a separate chain from a rear container corner to another tree to prevent runaway movement. - Keep this chain slightly slack while pulling so it only engages if the container tries to accelerate downhill or roll away unexpectedly. ## 9. Begin cranking and monitor movement - Operate the chain hoist, pulling the container along the rollers; watch for corners lifting off rollers or logs beginning to roll out from under the load. - Stop periodically to reposition rollers or adjust the layout if the container drifts off the intended path or digs into the ground. ## 10. Leapfrog rollers - As a roller emerges from the rear, pull it around to the front of the container and place it ahead in the direction of travel, maintaining at least two rollers under the load. - Adjust roller angles slightly to fine‑tune steering, especially when completing a turn toward the final heading. ## 11. Reposition hoist and chokers as needed - When the chain hoist reaches the end of its travel, stop, release tension safely, and move the hoist forward by connecting it to a nearer choker link. - Re‑tighten and continue pulling, using the multiple chokers for convenient repositioning without re‑rigging the whole system. ## 12. Straighten alignment and switch to straight rollers - Once the container is facing the desired direction, re‑orient the front rollers straight ahead (no angle) to allow straight‑line motion. - Remove any rollers or supports that were only needed for pivoting, leaving forward‑facing rollers that distribute weight evenly. ## 13. Pull with dual front chains for straight travel - Attach chains from both front corners to the hoist (or vehicle rig) so pulling force is balanced and does not twist the container. - Continue pulling in stages, leapfrogging rollers and adjusting any small steering corrections by slightly offsetting roller positions. ## 14. Transition to sliding on timbers where necessary - On steeper sections where round rollers could cause a runaway, jack the container slightly and remove rollers, replacing them with square timbers as sliding rails. - Pull the container slowly along these timbers, alternating sides if necessary, to creep it sideways or forward without risk of rolling downhill. ## 15. Final positioning - As you approach the final spot, make small pulls in different directions—forward, sideways, or back a little—to nudge the container into its exact location. - Once in place, remove rollers, leave stable timbers or blocking as a permanent base, and ensure the container is level and secure. ## 16. Optional: Using a light tractor or vehicle instead of hand cranking - If available, set up a block-and-tackle between the container and an anchor (tree or tractor) using pulley blocks to increase pulling force and reduce speed. - Drive the tractor’s winch or pull gently with the vehicle while a helper manages roller placement and steering adjustments, always keeping escape routes clear. Would you like a printable, condensed one‑page checklist version of these steps that you can bring out to the site?