Forearm Forklift Lifting Straps

I had a few e-mails from people who asked what the orange straps were that we used to lift the mattress. It is a Forearm Forklift, which is sold in packs of two. We first spotted them on the U-Haul site, with a rental fee of $25.00. Instead, we bought our own set for less than twenty bucks. They were a godsend, and really do work. In essence, each person holds one end of a strap, looping it around the forearm. The straps crisscross beneath the item, so that each person holds a strap with the same forearm, i.e., if I'm holding one with my right arm, Ted has that same strap looped on his right arm.

Here's a photo from the box. Note, we did not look this cool carrying heavy stuff. What's with the shades? But you really can lift heavy, awkward items and save a lot of strain on your back. We moved mattresses, box springs, and large wood cabinets with a lot less effort than it would normally take.
According to the package--I didn't verify this myself--the forearm forklift is the first and only OSHA accepted moving tool ever to reduce potential injuries due to heavy and repetitive lifting. Here are the rest of the benefits and claims:

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

All in all, the Forearm Forklift is definitely a product I'd recommend. I only wish we discovered them when we began this moving process six months ago, when we rented a storage unit.

They even make awesome dog toys, for pups who like to steal things and play keep away!