I'm new to giant pumpkin growing. The only thing I'm afraid of is success :) I don't know how to move a giant pumpkin if I manage to grow one.
What are some good systems for lifting and moving giant pumpkins?
Should I place something under the pumpkin before it gets large - so there is something to grab onto when lifting?
I see pictures of pumpkins sitting in the field and I can't quite figure how anyone manages to get these things onto trucks and trailers without damaging them.
Generally they use a purpose-built "pumpkin tarp" with many (10+) built-in handles to move these babies. Another method I've seen used is when the pumpkin is still small (<50 pounds), people place a pallet under it and let it grow on the pallet. Of course, if you're going to weigh it later, you've got to get it off of the pallet :-)
Paul, This is how we moved my 615 lber. last year:
After cutting the pumpkin from the vine, we rolled the pumpkin on its side, and tucked a tarp with handles under it. Then we rolled it the other way, and pulled the tarp under the other side. Then a number of us lifted it onto a pallet(covered with cardboard), using the tarp. Our neighbor, who is a farmer, then used his skid loader(with forks) to lift the pallet and pumpkin onto our pickup bed. All this requires attention to safety. Then off to the weighoff we went.
