| Above All Co. L74995CN Forearm Forklift Lifting Straps | 
| Brand: Above All
Category: Home Improvement
List Price: $40.00
Buy New: $13.50
as of 11/8/2009 00:00 CST details
You Save: $26.50 (66%)
New (44) Used (1) from $14.99
Seller: violinsmart-musical-instrument
Rating:  170 reviews
Sales Rank: 32
Color: Safety Orange
Media: Tools & Hardware
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 4 x 2 x 4
MPN: FF000012
Model: L74995CN
UPC: 899792001001
EAN: 0811938001119
ASIN: B00005TPUZ
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Features:
| • | Forearm Forklift lifting straps; OSHA certified; reduces weight of objects carried 66 percent | | • | Allows you to carry large objects at a low center of gravity; adjustable; 600 pound capacity | | • | Heavy-duty nylon; bonded thread at each joint | | • | 2 straps included | | • | 112 inches long; 1 pound per pair |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
Above All Co. The Forearm Forklift moving straps were designed in 1997 by a professional mover who is still very active in the industry. After many years "on the truck" he felt compelled to invent a tool that actually eliminated the risk of floor damage. A claim that only the Forearm Forklift can make since the dolly and hand truck require the rolling of wheels on your sensitive floors. Coincidentally, he also designed them ergonomically to encourage proper lifting techniques and body mechanics. They are actually the first and only OSHA accepted moving tool ever to reduce potential injuries due to heavy and repetitive lifting.
Benefits:
- Reduces weight of item being carried by 66%
- Creates handles on any hard-to-handle pieces
- Great for going up and down most stairs or truck ramps
- Tight turning radius (excellent for 90 degree turns in hallways and switchbacks in staircases)
- Will never scratch wood floors, break tile, stain carpets or rip vinyl (linoleum)
The Forearm Forklift was awarded "Best New Product of the Year 1999" by the Industrial Equipment News whose constituents are solely top professionals in the business.
Specification:
- Adjustability: up to 48 inches
- Weight Capacity: 600 pounds per pair (tested at 2,720 pounds)
- Material: super strength webbing, bonded thread at each joint and padding in each insert
- Padding: felt for comfort in any adjusted length
- Color: improved/changed to safety orange
- Dimensions: 9 feet 4 inches long
- Weight: 1 pound per pair
- Package Dimensions: 8 inches wide by 9 inches tall by 2.5 inches deep
- Package Contents: 2 straps
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 170
Biggest problem may be convincing people to use them November 6, 2009
D. Brust (Minnesota USA)
I bought these straps for a recent move, and actually ended up using them to help some friends move, as well. I found them to be very beneficial.
There were some items which would have been impossible to move without these straps. Using the straps, we were able to move some very large, very heavy, entertainment centers and armoires. They also help very much with moving items around tight turns. Since you can lift an item straight up, without tipping it, the item takes up less "floor space," making it much easier to get through tight spaces, or up tight, twisting stairs.
Use of the straps is very easy. You simply slip the straps under each side of the item you are trying to lift. If the item has legs, you just slip the straps under and lift. If the item has no legs, you must cross the straps, creating an "X." This is to prevent the straps from slipping out from under the item. I found the straps to be very helpful in encouraging proper lifting. Since you don't have to bend down so far, to grab the item by the bottom, it makes it much easier to lift with your knees, rather than your back.
The straps have 3 different holes to slip your arms through. This allows you to easily adjust your lifting point. This is especially helpful when one lifter is taller than the other. The taller person can use the top set of holes, while the shorter person uses the bottom set. This makes it easier to lift the item in a level manner, without worrying about how much strap length is on each side of the item. The different holes also make it easier to lift short items, as your hands are now down next to the item, instead of up above the item somewhere. Using your hands to steady the item you're lifting is key, so using the right arm holes is important.
I should note that I am 6'4", so I'm a pretty big guy, as were the other people I was moving with. These straps, while very helpful, can only do so much. They will not make an item magically become lighter. You still need to be strong enough to lift an item. The straps may make an item "feel" lighter, as you're lifting it with your forearms, instead of your fingertips, but the item still weighs the same amount. The benefit of these straps is the way they make it much easier to hold on to awkward items, and move items around in a more steady manner. That said, my girlfriend and I have moved many items with these straps. Items which she otherwise would have never been able to even attempt to lift, and she is 5'4". She does complain about the pressure the straps put on your forearms, though. All the weight is being centered on your forearms, so strong arms are a real plus.
Although I did use these items to move some large items up and down steps, I wouldn't necessarily recommend it. These straps work very well for moving items on a single level, but stairs can be tricky. One of the main benefits of these straps is the ability to lift items without tipping them, but that can actually cause problems when going up and down stairs. Since you're not tipping the item, the height of the item is now increased by however high you're lifting it. If the ceiling clearance is low going up the stairs, then your item is much more likely to not make it up. There was at least one item where we had to back down the steps and tip the item over, then head back up, as we hadn't expected to hit the ceiling. The straps were still very helpful in moving the item in a horizontal position, though. There were some times when the stair work can get a little scary, as well. If you're lifting a tall item, and carrying it up some steps, the item will tip back quite a bit, making the person on the bottom of the steps move their hands up pretty high to support the item. The problem is that the person on the bottom of the steps needs to have more of the strap on their side, so the that item moves up the stairs level, but since you start out on the solid floor, that is hard to do. I'm guessing a set of the straps that you wear on your shoulders would be better for stair work.
The biggest obstacle with using these straps isn't so much the straps, but getting people to use the straps. I found that people were very resistant to using them. Of course, this isn't the fault of the straps, and shouldn't really be seen as a knock against them. For some reason, people don't seem to think they will help much. After a few heavy moves, they tend to come around. Some people complained that they took too long to setup, as well. It probably takes 1 - 2 minutes to get the straps setup under an item. To me, that's nothing, what with how helpful the straps are. I guess some people are just impatient.
Speaking of impatience, these straps are actually quick to use compared to the shoulder-based straps. I've seen the shoulder straps in use, and the need to put on the straps is a bit of a pain. If someone can't be bothered to just pick up a set of straps, like these forearm straps, convincing them to put on a full shoulder-strap system would be near impossible.
All in all, they're a great investment, and can be very helpful in many situations. I now make sure to take these along with me whenever I help someone move something, just in case they'll be helpful.
PROS
+ helps you lift with proper posture (lift with your knees, not your back)
+ helps move "awkward" items (items that lack any sort of hand-holds)
+ allows you to move an item without tipping it
+ items "feel" lighter, as they are anchored to a stronger part of your body
+ laying out the straps under the item is very easy
+ straps are easy to setup and use, since they are not attached to your body
+ 3 different arm holes make it easy for people of different heights to lift an item
+ small-size, when folded, allows for easy storage
+ seem to be made of a durable material
CONS
- moving large items up or down stairs doesn't always work
- straps put a lot of pressure on your forearms; some complain of bruising and soreness afterward
OTHER NOTES
o straps will not make the item lighter (though they "feel" lighter); you still need to have the necessary strength
o some people are reluctant or too impatient to use the straps (can't blame the straps for this)
 Useless October 16, 2009
H. Friedman (Burbank, CA USA)
Myself and the Movers tried using this to move the Washer & Dryer. Puts too much pressure on the forearms to the point of bruising. It's not long enough and in the end we just use our hands, which ended up being way easier. If I had to make a purchase again, I would opt for the Shoulder Strap version of this product which seems to have better ratings.
http://www.amazon.com/Shoulder-Dolly-LD1000-2-Person-Lifting/dp/B00022749Q/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=industrial&qid=1255651981&sr=8-2
 Works fine for what it was designed for September 3, 2009
Uncle Ed (Lower left corner of Missouri)
These straps are great for moving things that are moderate weight but are difficult to hold--mattresses, overstuffed chairs, and chests of drawers having nothing to grasp on the back. These items are frustrating because you can't get a good grip on them. While a dryer might be okay if both people are reasonably strong, I'd think anything heavier you'd want either a two-wheel hand truck or the Shoulder Dolly. (Using the Shoulder Dolly takes practice--don't expect to be good at it on the first try.)
I"d definitely buy these again and may buy a set as a gift. I even moved a queen-size mattress and box springs by myself (one at at time) by lifting the front end and sliding the other end on a plastic tarp.
Great little invention August 7, 2009
VB_Fan (Irvine, CA)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This worked as advertised. It's great for large bulky appliances and furniture, especially beds when you just can't get a good grip on the mattress. My wife would always end up with an strained back when helping me to move bulky items. This avoids the knee bending and lifting that can cause injuries and now she's able to help while minimizing injuries to her back. I've found that I'm also able to move big items on my own without assistance if I angle the straps just right.
Of less pratical use June 27, 2009
Yogi (LA, USA)
0 out of 10 found this review helpful
I bought it when I moving from one place to another. However we never felt it comfortable to use. we always had fear of heavy object(matress) on tople on our faces. I would not recommends it to anybody.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 170
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