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West [email protected]

Kinda tight on money right now so I cant afford a lifting ring but I have plenty of the big thick straps and I was wondering if a lifting ring is a must for a 1000 pound pumpkin if so I could beg a friend to make me one at his job but I don't want to ask if it's not needed but if I have to I will.

Any thoughts would help, thanks

8/30/2012 8:02:15 PM

Eastern Pennsylvania

Kinda depends on how important this pumpkin is to you! The tried and true lifting rings made by the PGPGA cost about $150 I think. And maybe there are some left from Tom's extreme pumpkin site not sure about the cost there. If your buddy has the means to make one be sure that you have even distribution of the weight or you might get burned. Also I have some strap lifters I bought a few years back from (I think) P&P seed company for like $80 and they always got the job done. Bottom line if you're serious about your pumpkin I would buy something proven. Don't quote me on any of these prices.

8/30/2012 8:42:22 PM

if you got straps you can do it no ring
but your first time be carefull

few years ago i had to fly to tv show and ring didnt look like it fit in overhead compartment on plane

pics in photo gallery under my name

8/30/2012 9:10:00 PM

West [email protected]

I just want to make sure I got this correct, the lifting ring is the metal ring above the pumpkin correct ?

And if that is correct than your saying that there is like a 0% chance of a successful lift of a 1000 pound pumpkin without a lifting ring. Will the straps squeeze the pumpin without one ?

8/30/2012 9:18:16 PM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

A ring is not needed to pick your pumpkin...if you have a tractor or skid steer it is nice.
The advantage of the ring is it take two people..Picking it with a tarp takes one for every 150lbs, then you are limited how high you can lift

8/30/2012 9:23:09 PM

Michigan,up North

I lifted a 800lber last year by myself ,tip it on its back dug under it ,put a pallet under it .back the trailer to it,took the trailer off the truck.took blocks to hold the trailer up ,to angle the trailer down ,use a comealong pulled the pallet up onto the trailer .

8/30/2012 9:26:28 PM

West [email protected]

Thanks Don, I'm gonna be super careful. I will start off with my smaller ones first and work my way up to the fat lady to see how it goes

8/30/2012 9:26:46 PM

West [email protected]

I'm scared for sure cause it's my first time so I'll go slow......lol

8/30/2012 9:30:57 PM

morristown, Tn email [email protected]

if you are making a lifting strap make sure each strap can lift 5000lb like mine can will post a picture of it

8/30/2012 9:35:28 PM

Anamosa, IA [email protected]

I use a large tracgtor clevis with 6 1" straps. I have lifted up to 919 with this and the tripod and one ton hoist. Never had a problem.

8/30/2012 9:39:39 PM

Hinckley MN

a metal ring is not 100% necessary. lifting straps are. I have a large clevis and a set of 2" straps. you can use a tripod or tractor to lift the pumpkin in the straps. I only did a couple 600 lbders and a 900 lbder last year, but it worked like a charm.

8/30/2012 10:24:44 PM

Muddy Waters

They built pyramids that were still scratching our heads with, how they did it.You could move a big kin with a sheet of plywood some 2X6s a match & a nickel.Just call MacGyver.LOL! The only problem is it most likely cost you some money.There should be someone on your side of the state who has a ring you can borrow.I could meet you in Lansing with a carrying tarp & a steel ring with straps,that my good friend Marvin Mitchel had built for me years ago.but the gas money would be 30$.Post something here on BP.Theres a few good growers in the Grand Rapids area that might help you.

8/31/2012 5:38:25 AM

Muddy Waters

On second thought.How far are you from Ludington?I have a good friend that drives there on a weekly basis Salmon fishing I think he has 1 trip left this season,he could bring my 1000 lb tarp over.I rarely use it.I may use it to drag Yukon out of the kin cave this weekend.Poor Yukon is sitting there looking smaller each day.The caulked splits are preventing it from rotting thus far.My buddy went fishing up north so Yukon is still with us.I cut my other tarp up & had a seamstress hem the edges for melon tarps.I sold my 3rd tarp to a guy who wanted to carry boulders with it.I won that one at Pt Elgin back in the late 90s.Im rambling on.Shoot me an E-mail if your interested please leave a subject.

8/31/2012 6:22:25 AM

Billerica,Massachusetts

had my ring made at the local technical high school, cost = free might want to inquire if one is nearby.

8/31/2012 8:05:05 AM

Merrimack NH

I've lifed 1,200+ poound pumpkins with no lifting ring. Put a rope tight around the bottom, hook a strap to the rope, up over the pumpkin to the other side. Use as many straps as necesary to spread the load evenly the same way a lifting ring does. Just hook the straps to a lifting hoist, make sure they all have even tension and your ready to go. It is excatly the same as having a lifing ring, it just takes more time and effort to hook it all up.

8/31/2012 8:07:13 AM

Hamburg, NY

Lifting straps, rings - whatever you need

http://www.pandpseed.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=pandpseed&Product_Code=01_PSL&Category_Code=supplies

8/31/2012 9:21:36 AM

morristown, Tn email [email protected]

my straps are 2 1/2 in each can lift 10.000 pounds

8/31/2012 1:59:18 PM

West [email protected]

Ludington is about 40min away (not that far)I really do appreciate the offer Handyhomegrown but I wouldn't want to inconvenience any one not to mention I would feel like crap if something happened to your tarp plus I'm not sure how to get a tarp under my pumpkin. I'm just going to be very careful and use plenty of straps and if something bad happens I'll come on this site and blame everyone for not trying to help me.......lol

8/31/2012 5:04:30 PM

Muddy Waters

Well your welcome to use it.I wouldnt offer it if it was not replaceable.It's like handing someone your car keys,dont do it if you cant handle the fact that it might not come back.

8/31/2012 8:30:04 PM

Pemberton, BC

The cheapest lifting ring around, well except for the tractor!!

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=76204

9/1/2012 11:42:55 AM

West [email protected]

very cleaver Chad.....how long you been doing it that way, any problems yet ?

9/1/2012 8:39:44 PM

Muddy Waters

Nice chad!Thats using your head.

9/2/2012 3:15:34 AM

Michigan,up North

I just remember brosco i dug a loadin ramp.have pics in my 2011 diary,but theres easy ways to do it.

9/2/2012 6:31:04 AM

Michigan,up North

Iam in the same baot as you ,my money tree died .had tobuy scool cloths. and a guy wants a cnote to liftem with hes tractor.I just cut down 3 stright pine trees goin to make a trypoid and use my engine hoyst.and try the rim with the straps .thats my back up plan.if i cant slidem on pellets.

9/2/2012 7:09:30 AM

Pemberton, BC

No problems with that ring yet. I did add 2 more straps to it to lift one over 1000 pounds and thats about it. Use a grinder to grind any sharp edges off where the straps are gonna come tight and away you go.

The straps at the pumpkin end were simply tied in figure 8 knots to create a loop. On big fruit the knot itself can damage the surface a little so if you can find some straps that have the loops sewn or get them sewn that might be a better way to go, other than being a little heavy it works well.

9/2/2012 10:52:21 AM