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Farming- a bunch of catastrophies that result in a lifestyle

I was wondering, as I have a wagon wheel that might get to go to weigh off, might. I would shudder to leave it standing up as it is now growing for fear of it tipping over on the way....would it hurt to turn it and have it ride on blossom end (which is flat) to weigh off? I'm worried about it having grown all it's 'strength' one way, and if I put it 'down' where it hasn't ever had gravity pulling on it in that direction it will split??

8/2/2014 8:21:16 AM

Hamburg, NY

You may want to start with a proper lifting device -

http://www.pandpseed.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=pandpseed&Product_Code=01_GPT_4&Category_Code=supplies

OR

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

8/2/2014 8:54:06 AM

Eastern Pennsylvania

I have seen growers use some very creative supports to keep wheels upright during transport. I would not lay it down.

8/2/2014 10:45:29 AM

Rhode Island

you could wedge a couple bales of hay or straw in front and in back of the upright pumpkin.also laying on the blossom will work if its flat enough and the blossom will not be exposed to the floor of transport.

8/2/2014 2:21:01 PM

Farming- a bunch of catastrophies that result in a lifestyle

Okay, plenty of time to think on it, thanks guys.

8/2/2014 3:55:27 PM

Home of happy lil plants

hay bales and cushiony stuff and dont drive dukes of hazard to weighoff

im thinking you are going to get sketchy rotating it onto the blossum... if under 800lbs you can do it by hand but once it goes whatever is in its way its going to hit including side of truck.and other pumpkin damaging objects

8/2/2014 6:47:26 PM

Springfield, VT

I've transport a couple of wheels once they are strapped down not a problem. You will need a bit of foam or other blocking to keep them from rolling ie chock blocks. Several binders and you should be good to go.

8/2/2014 10:02:10 PM

Williamsburg,KY

REMEMBER..secure the pumpkin to the pallet and the pallet to the truck/trailer.

8/3/2014 7:50:21 AM

Central Illinois

several layers of thick insulating board may work, cut a small hole in bottom piece a larger hole on middle piece larger hole in top piece, you would make a oblong bowl shape

8/3/2014 10:18:21 AM

Farming- a bunch of catastrophies that result in a lifestyle

With all above taken into account what do you think of this idea, provided of course it doesn't blow up in the next ten days of rain:
Put blanket over pumpkin, lay a bale of straw on either side of wheel. Use a ratchet strap, (possibly more padding where bales don't cover pumpkin)and secure bales to pumpkin tightly. Cover pallet with plywood, cover plywood with 1" foam board. Put pumpkin on pallet. Secure pumpkin and its already attached bales to pallet with another ratchet strap, obviously padding top of pumpkin with several sheets of straw like a thick pad.

8/3/2014 4:53:27 PM