Lifting Technique?

I've heard some of the flatbedders talk about lifting technique for lifting tarps. I weigh about 130 soaking wet and I'm not the strongest guy in the world and I really wanna do flatbedding. So... What is the proper technique?

I've heard some of the flatbedders talk about lifting technique for lifting tarps. I weigh about 130 soaking wet and I'm not the strongest guy in the world and I really wanna do flatbedding. So... What is the proper technique?

I am no expert as I myself am new to flatbedding but I have found it helps if you can get the tarp up on your shoulder when carrying it it takes alot of the strain off of your back. Most times if it is a tall load the place you are loading will put your tarps on top of the load for you if you ask I am pretty shy so I didn't ask at first but quickly learned if you don't ask they don't usually offer.

Mike, that's a good question. I hope to answer it without sounding confusing. You might try doing a YouTube search and see what you come up with.

Your tarp will be rolled up in a cylindrical shape. The first thing you do is stand it up on it's end. Then you want to squat low enough to get one hand underneath it and hook your fingers into the outside folds. (I put my left hand at the bottom) Now, with your other hand you want to sort of bear hug the top of the tarp to your upper chest and shoulder area. Then while keeping your back straight you use your legs to stand up with the tarp hugged up against your body.

Okay, now you are standing up and the bottom of the tarp is a little below your waist. You now bring your upper hand down to the bottom of the tarp and by squatting just slightly and using both arms and hands you give the tarp a little bit of a bounce or two to help get it up onto your shoulder.

Mike, that's a good question. I hope to answer it without sounding confusing. You might try doing a YouTube search and see what you come up with.

Your tarp will be rolled up in a cylindrical shape. The first thing you do is stand it up on it's end. Then you want to squat low enough to get one hand underneath it and hook your fingers into the outside folds. (I put my left hand at the bottom) Now, with your other hand you want to sort of bear hug the top of the tarp to your upper chest and shoulder area. Then while keeping your back straight you use your legs to stand up with the tarp hugged up against your body.

Okay, now you are standing up and the bottom of the tarp is a little below your waist. You now bring your upper hand down to the bottom of the tarp and by squatting just slightly and using both arms and hands you give the tarp a little bit of a bounce or two to help get it up onto your shoulder.

That is exactly how you lift pine, cedar, and palm logs without killing your lower back!

Mike, that's a good question. I hope to answer it without sounding confusing. You might try doing a YouTube search and see what you come up with.

Your tarp will be rolled up in a cylindrical shape. The first thing you do is stand it up on it's end. Then you want to squat low enough to get one hand underneath it and hook your fingers into the outside folds. (I put my left hand at the bottom) Now, with your other hand you want to sort of bear hug the top of the tarp to your upper chest and shoulder area. Then while keeping your back straight you use your legs to stand up with the tarp hugged up against your body.

Okay, now you are standing up and the bottom of the tarp is a little below your waist. You now bring your upper hand down to the bottom of the tarp and by squatting just slightly and using both arms and hands you give the tarp a little bit of a bounce or two to help get it up onto your shoulder.

I recently took the flat bed certification training and physical for the OTL thing and that is exactly what I was told to do.