[Alewyfe]

Any clever ideas of ways to minimize lifting stuff when brewing? I have a pump and use that for liquid transfer, but there are still kettles, fermenters, full cornies, buckets of water and other stuff that is repeatedly shlepped about. I've recently damaged my shoulder, and I refuse to give up brewing while stuff mends.
My water is about 75' from where I brew. My chest freezers are in two different buildings, but both accessible without having to go up and down stairs.  If everything were inside in one place, a hoist would be the obvious choice, but of course that's not, nor ever going to be the case.

All brilliant and/or hair brained ideas will be considered. 

[tschmidlin]

Can you hire a helper?  Pay them in beer?  Teach them to brew?

How long until your shoulder heals?

[denny]

Fork lift.....

[gymrat]

It's kind of expensive but I love mine.

[kgs]

Alewyfe, what's your brewing process?  Also, are you seeking a temporary remediation of a problem or are you seeking to make your brewing more accessible in general for the long haul?

My own solution, which isn't for everyone, is to brew small. I also have a pump, which is great but as you point out only goes so far. My Radio Flyer is also handy. I just bought a small fridge and eliminated a big PITA for me which was lugging fermenters down stairs and then down a ramp and into a garage (and then up again). My dream is an all-electric mobile brewstand that is energy- and water-conscious and eliminates all heavy lifting. But I don't keg, which is one more thing to fit into the accessibility scenario. Use smaller kegs and more of them?

(And I drool over gymrat's hoist... just wouldn't work for my scenario. Though I keep trying to justify it... I guess I could buy a slipcover for it ;-) )

[Slowbrew]

The only thing I have added to help a bit is a furniture dolly.  http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_18569_18569

It eliminates carrying boiling liquids from outside on my burner to the counter by the sink where I chill.

Paul

[Jimmy K]

If you're using carboys, BrewHaulers are great. The make a carboy much easier to carry alone and also let you share the load with someone else. 
 
I have a hoist and plumbing so that I don't have to lift liquid until the fermenter is full.
https://plus.google.com/photos/104891953223854271066/albums?banner=pwa&gpsrc=pwrd1#photos/104891953223854271066/albums/5675788879184625729

[Joe Sr.]

If you're using carboys, BrewHaulers are great. The make a carboy much easier to carry alone and also let you share the load with someone else. 
 
I have a hoist and plumbing so that I don't have to lift liquid until the fermenter is full.
https://plus.google.com/photos/104891953223854271066/albums?banner=pwa&gpsrc=pwrd1#photos/104891953223854271066/albums/5675788879184625729

Looks sweet.  At first glance, I thought you were hoisting with a bungee cord, which could be interesting...

[AmandaK]

The fiance' tends to volunteer for this work - lucky me!! 

[tom]

brew buddy

[hubie]

The fiance' tends to volunteer for this work - lucky me!! 

My wife would probably get pretty mad if I got me one of those...