Customer Reviews
Fantastic tool for moving 
2008-06-17
I felt it was important to add a positive review for this item. I recently moved from a 2nd floor walk-up and without this tool the move would have been impossible. Not only we were able to complete the move in a timely manner, we didn't need to enlist the aid of a bunch of friends. It was liberating to do this ourselves.
Works so far, but needs improvement and better instructions 
2008-06-16
We were able to use this product successfully to move a heavy TV set. When we first got the TV, we moved it "by hand" and one of us got a bad muscle strain when the TV started slipping out of our grasp. This time, with the Shoulder Dolly, we were able to move it across a room, out a door, down four steps, and set it on the ground, without much trouble.
Sounds great, right? The problem is, the main carrying strap -- the big 5" wide one that passes underneath the big object -- was too long. To perform our move, we had to fold that strap over and pass it through one of the two harnesses at double thickness. It worked, but it is NOT described in the manual.
Instead, the manual suggests that you contact the company to BUY MORE STRAPS of differing lengths if you face the situation we did. Gee, that's helpful advice to get when you open the package ready to perform a move. And where in this product listing does it mention the need for extra straps? Nowhere.
The strap included in this "Light Duty" kit is 12 feet long. If you follow the directions, you'll feed that strap once through each shoulder harness, and it will be gripped in place. And it does work like that.
But any excess will just hang down toward the ground. If you and your partner only need six feet of strap to pick up an object at an appropriate height, you will have three feet at each end dangling down. Who needs a big cloth strap around one's legs and feet, risking a trip?
By the way, I don't think you should worry about the size of this thing unless you're really small or really huge. Our lifting team is average in size, and the harnesses on us looked pretty much like they do in the photos here (and in the manual).
The manual spends a huge amount of time explaining how to put the harness on your body -- which is pretty much a no-brainer -- but not much time explaining how to position your feet, or how best to raise and lower an item vertically.
So the good news is that the "Shoulder Dolly" will indeed help to move a heavy object while not putting a lot of strain on wrists, elbows and arms. Also, IF you plan ahead with the precise length of the strap, and the height off the ground to which an object has to move (and where it starts), you can move it vertically without much trouble, too.
But it's not self-explanatory, and it takes a lot of thinking to get something that starts out 30" off the ground, carry it laterally, then deposit it directly on the ground. The instructions seem to think that all your moving will be picking objects up from the ground and putting them back down at the same height.
Also Note: the Product Description here says "Heavy lifting capacity: Up to 400 lbs." and "Helps you lift objects that you cannot lift comfortably on your own." Well, the "400 pounds" refers the weight rating of the fabric strapping! It does not give YOU a 400 pound "lifting capacity!"
Right in the manual it says that the product does NOT increase your own inherent lifting ability. So don't expect to lift 400 pound objects if you can't bear that much weight on your back, or by any other form of lifting.
The TV we carried weighed way less than that. So we knew we could lift it -- we just knew that it would be bulky and awkward because of its size and shape. That's what this thing is good for. If you keep that in mind, you can make a better decision about the purchase. It does not give you any more strength, and it does not provide any means for balancing the object being moved. You do have to use your hands for that.
PRO: I'm glad we got it, since we accomplished our immediate goal, and we might be able to use the Shoulder Dolly for other tasks in the future.
The product seems well made, it does have safety tags and warnings in the manual, so the manufacturer does seem safety-conscious.
CONS:
We had to ignore the instructions in order to use the product, which I hate doing, and I did not like the sneaky marketing of accessory products (like different length straps).
My lifting partner was bothered by the lack of padding in the harness straps. I didn't notice it in this one-time move, but in a bigger move with more trips, I might. They could include pads without having to bump the price, seems to me.
It Works! 2008-06-13
Absolutly worth the cost. It is easy safe and decreases fatigue. Looks a little dorkish and requires that you are willing to use your brain instead of your back.
A real back and arm saver 2008-06-10
This product was great for moving heavy equipment (200-300 pounds) up the stairs out of a basement. The weight is carried by your legs, saving your back and arms. Place the strap under the object, squat, cinch up the excess, place your hands against the object and stand straight up. It also worked well carrying heavy furniture down the stairs ... just take your time on each step because a fall would be serious since you're strapped to the object. It's also great for moving mattresses or other objects that are hard to hold. It did take a little bit of time for some of the moving party to get the hang of it, but many of us picked it up immediately.
Greatest thing every invented! 2008-06-10
Purchased the Shoulder Dolly to move a new washer and dryer set into place. Had to go around a corner and into a tight spot with them. Never could have used a dolly for this because had to go round a tight corner. WOW! This thing worked great. Just took a little while and didn't have to fight everything. My neighbor helped me and said "I have to have one of those"
Shoulder Dolly delivers 
2008-07-24
Great product. Bought a new fridge and the delivery guys were using one. They carried the new fridge out from the truck, up the stairs, through the house and into the kitchen all without stopping or hitting anything. Used it in our move, and it has been an excellent help. Good for any furniture, expecially large and heavy items (appliances, large chests, big screen TVs, etc). Worth the money.
Saved my fingertips! 2008-07-22
I have a TV that ways as much as I do. I have moved it before and the bottom of it feels like it is about to cut off my fingers and that I will drop it for sure. Not a good feeling. However I recently purchased this shoulder dolly before my last move and although the TV was still very heavy I was able to use the strength in my shoulders, back, and legs to support the weight and only had to use my hands and arms to steady it from the sides. It was SO much easier, and a lot cheaper than hiring movers!
shoulder dolley 2008-07-19
works great and saves your back. may take a little effort balancing the odd proportioned things, but overall relieves a lot of the necessary strength needed in your hands carrying things. made moving a lot easier, a must have. it is still tricky learning to go up or down stairs though, we carried some things up the stairs by hand, then used the dolly the rest of the way since it is so easy.
SHOULDER DOLLY DOES WHAT IT CLAIMS - WORKS! 2008-07-06
The shoulder dolly (SD) works just like it claims to! We just moved my mother-in-law from a house to a second floor apartment with just my husband and I using the SD. My husband is 55 and I'm 44 years old.
The SD worked great manuevering on the staircase that included a 180 degree turn in the middle of the stairs. I liked having the freedom to use my hands/arms to open doors and turn the objects we were carrying to manuever thru doors/stairs.
I fully expected to be sore the next day, but neither my husband or I felt even a twinge in our backs, legs, or arms. My neck was a little stiff was all. I do not recommend someone with bad knees hauling heavy items because it does put a lot of strain on your knees as most of the power of lifting an object is coming from your legs.
The one 'con' I have to list is that there is no padding on the shoulder straps. If you don't have your t-shirt pulled up next to the edge, I found they would rub on your neck. For heavy objects, I slid a couple 'knee pads' under the shoulder straps to give my a little cushion and keep the straps from rubbing my skin.
I am so impressed with this product, I have been telling everyone in I talk to about the SD. I even bought a second SD and gave to my brother-in-law who is getting ready to move. It is very durable, simple to use, and does what it claims. Two thumbs up!
AMAZING PRODUCT!!!!! 2008-06-24
The shoulder dolly did the job!!!! Just like the picture shows, I was able to carry a huge tv down two flights of stairs and up three with little to no effort. It was great for the sofa and dressers, bookcases and desks. We even used it for the heavy bed mattress. This product made moving enjoyable. The shoulder dolly was easy to adjust and use even with people of different sizes and strengths on each side.
