HOW TO MOVE A WOODEN SWING SET

If you purchased the set from a dealer sometimes discounts or incentives apply if you use them for relocation.  Check that out first.  If that doesn’t work and you don’t want to use a household mover, then follow these tips to help take down and move the swing set.  Generally the same rules apply for most swing sets, the following directions apply for a cedar set with a fort, attached ladder and slide, and crossbeam connecting to an A-frame.

Things you’ll need:

• Yourself and 1 helper to help disassemble
• Yourself and 3 helpers to move
• Spray corrosion solvent
• Spray lubricant
• Socket (deep sockets with drill preferably)
• Wrenches
• Pliers or vise grips
• Screwdrivers
• Hammer
• Plastic bags or small box for parts
• Large box or bin
• Markers or stickers to inventory pieces
• Camera, video camera

1. Mark all connecting joints that will be taken apart with a marker or inventory tags.  This will make reassembly much easier.  A video record or series of pictures is also helpful.
2. Spray any bolts with spray corrosion solvent and let sit for about an hour.
3. Take off any swings, gliders, etc that hang from the large crossbeam.  Use of a large box or bin to carry these items is a good idea.
4. Remove the bolts connecting the crossbeam from the fort.  Have one person help you support.  Pull back, and lower crossbeam to the ground making a tripod.  Then remove the bolts and disconnect crossbeam from a-frame.  Put the bolts back in the wood they came out of or place in a bag and mark to keep things more organized for reassembly.  (If need be clean up bolts’ thread with a wire brush).
5. Remove any ladders, fake rock walls and slides attached to the fort.  Replace bolts back in the fort or place in a bag and mark.  Sometimes the “roof” to the fort can also be removed to reduce weight a little and make the fort a little easier to handle.
6. Then lay a sheet of plywood in front of the fort and lay the fort over on its side. From this point forward you’ll need 4 men to carry.  Clean off the base of dirt, mud if necessary.
7. Carry the fort on its side with one man on each corner out to transporting vehicle.  A rental straight truck or pull behind flat trailer both work fine.
8. Reverse the steps of dis-assembly to reassemble.

If the base is attached in concrete you’ll either have to dig posts out or loosen the concrete from the wooden posts with a jackhammer or sledgehammer.  This can be quite a project so if you are planning to move a swing set don’t anchor posts with concrete.

Also remember if moving in winter the swing set may be frozen to the ground.

These tips can help disassemble and move a swing set.  As with any other project preparation and planning are important in insuring successful relocation of the swing set.

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