Heat pump dryer atop washine machine - tight space and heavy

[bmwmike]

Hello

I've a space i'd like to put a washer and dryer stack into - its 85cm wide and 90cm deep, brick alcove. Plumbing etc in situ already.

The issue is the dryer is a heat pump, and approx 60kg. Even with a couple of mates, its going to be very awkward to lift up and then back into the alcove and onto the stack kit, nevermind in the future when the pump fails and i need to take it back down.

So i found these 65cm 100kg draw runners: https://www.eurofitdirect.co.uk/products/heavy-dut...

Open length 1300mm, 19.2mm height. Closed length 650mm.

I'm thinking I could put these under the washing machine with it in front of the alcove, stack the dryer on top, and then slide the stacked washer/dryer back into the alcove. I would then rock the stack to the side to remove each of the runners.

Removal would be haynes style, rock the stack side to side to reinsert the runners, and then slid the stack out.

Probably need to find a way to secure/hook the back of the runner to the concrete floor at the rear of the fixed position, perhaps a bolt in the floor that the runner hooks around, as i'd need to remove the runner after the stack is in position. Or even a plank of wood that the runner could slot into. Otherwise it'll just tip forward and scratch the floor.

Does this sound plausible? Its only 30 quid or so for the runners, so i'm tempted to give it a go. I did also consider a hoist tied into the brick walls either side, but this seems safer than dangling a 60kg dryer in the air..

Any other ideas?

Thanks

Edited by bmwmike on Friday 13th December 13:08

[biggiles]

It feels like a complicated way to stack one machine on top of another?

I used a stacking kit years ago - just "made it work" with a little bit of effort / pushing. It will slide a bit on the stacking kit, perhaps try it and see?

[bmwmike]

Yeah i'll still be using a stacking kit. The issue is that the alcove is really tight, there is no space around the washing machine/dryer, and the dryer is VERY heavy so lifting it is a 2-3 person effort, but there is no room to get in to lift it onto the washing machine if that makes sense.

The room itself is tiny too, only 2m x 2m with a 65cm door entrance.

Alcove is 85cm wide

Dryer is 57kg
Washing machine is 60kg

Plan is to lift onto washing machine on the stacking kit, then push the combined washer and dryer into position. It'll weigh over 100kg at that point, hence the slider.

Edit, i suppose another way would be to take the dryer door off, and have one person either side and another in front of the dryer lift the dryer from inside the drum and push it back over onto the washing machine. I guess i could try that. It does all seem to require lifting a heavy weight whilst leaning forward, and i'm not keen on back injuries.

Edited by bmwmike on Friday 13th December 15:16

[bennno]

bmwmike said:

Any other ideas?

Thanks

Fit a shelf to the wall above the washing machine as it's a lot easier to put the tumble drier on that and slide it in than it is to fit in on to a stacking kit.

60kg / 2 is only 30kg or by 3 is only 20kg - not difficult to do - especially if its on to a bit of worktop you've fitted in to the recess.

From memory when we had a stack kit at our old property we had to join both machines and then rock / walk the combined pair back in to the recess.

[bmwmike]

bennno said:

Fit a shelf to the wall above the washing machine as it's a lot easier to put the tumble drier on that and slide it in than it is to fit in on to a stacking kit.

60kg / 2 is only 30kg or by 3 is only 20kg - not difficult to do - especially if its on to a bit of worktop you've fitted in to the recess.

From memory when we had a stack kit at our old property we had to join both machines and then rock / walk the combined pair back in to the recess.

Yeah, shelf is something i'd been considering i must admit. There is certainly the space, and would be easier to shove backwards onto a melamine worktop - assuming that would take the weight across an 85cm span? I could put 2x4 frame beneath anwyay.

[bennno]

bmwmike said:

bennno said:

Fit a shelf to the wall above the washing machine as it's a lot easier to put the tumble drier on that and slide it in than it is to fit in on to a stacking kit.

60kg / 2 is only 30kg or by 3 is only 20kg - not difficult to do - especially if its on to a bit of worktop you've fitted in to the recess.

From memory when we had a stack kit at our old property we had to join both machines and then rock / walk the combined pair back in to the recess.

Yeah, shelf is something i'd been considering i must admit. There is certainly the space, and would be easier to shove backwards onto a melamine worktop - assuming that would take the weight across an 85cm span? I could put 2x4 frame beneath anwyay.

Our recess is 110 wide, wall is battened on both sides and across the rear, its been 4 years and theres zero deflection - it is a thick 40mm worktop.

We sit both appliances to one side as opposed to bang in the middle to improve support and to make space usable on one side.

[bmwmike]

bennno said:

Our recess is 110 wide, wall is battened on both sides and across the rear, its been 4 years and theres zero deflection - it is a thick 40mm worktop.

We sit both appliances to one side as opposed to bang in the middle to improve support and to make space usable on one side.

Gotcha, thanks. I have some worktop here which could work. Will see what the missus thinks. I must admit she didn't seem to get the slider idea, but baulked at the engine crane mounted above idea so i think the slider was a step in the right direction. Shelf will probably be chicken dinner

[kambites]

Our heat pump drier is just perched on top of our washing machine with no "stacking kit" and hasn't budged in the several years it's been there. Ours weighs nowhere near 60kg though! Probably less than half that, I seem to remember that two of us had no problem lifting it up.

[StreetDragster]

Can you get it through the door aperture with the drier stacked on the washer?
Mine was too tall so had to be stacked in the cupboard. It was a PITA but hopefully not to be repeated often

Edit- IGNORE ME missed the bit about the alcove not a cupboard