Residential refrigerator service

[azSkier]

My refrigerator is making a fan noise and will probably need some service. I will have to pull it out of the cabinet somehow. It sits on a pedestal about 8 inches high.

I need to build/buy a movable platform to roll the fridge onto and then move the whole setup into the living room.


The movable platform needs to be the exactly correct height and have a very hard surface

Suggestions?

Thanks.

[TXiceman]

I presume you are pulling the unit out onto a hard floor. It is pretty simple to use some 2 x 4's and plywood to make a platform or shelf the height of the cabinet. To move it on a hard surface floor, place an old towel on the floor with the platform on it. Work the fridge onto the platform and then you can slide it and the platform on the towel.

Ken

[dizcom]

Would something like this work?

[jacwjames]

When I installed my residential Samsung I took one of the 4 wheel moving dollies I had bought from Harbor Frieght and modified it. I measured how high I needed it, added some boards on two sides less 3/4" for a piece of plywood. Put two 2X4 on the other sides and then the plywood.

Worked great. While I was test fitting my fridge during the install I was able to easily pull it in and out myself.

[Sweetbriar]

I used a Harbor Freight transmission jack and a DIY platform. With the jack fully retracted the platform was supporting the fridge and very stable for any service work. Raise the jack slightly so the jack takes on the weight and easily moved the fridge around using the jack as the roller. My fridge was a 10 cu. ft. model.

Another option would be a used motorcycle/ATV lift. Much more stable when extended and high load limit than a budget transmission jack.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Big-Red-...594527#overlay

[wildmanbaker]

Sweetbriar has the easy answer. If you are going to just Shimm the platform up and try to slide it, use 2 sheets of 4 or 6 mil plastic, this will allow the ref to slide easier.

[153stars]

Just in case, is noise only from the outside or after fridge has been shut off for a long time ,as in has it fully defrosted. I have had frost build up and touch fan/s under freezer coil panel.
A defrost cycle even two won't necessarily clear large amounts ice or frost outside the actual evap coil/s . Over frosting happens if doors have been leaking or cracked open, Dutch door freezer likes to catch a errant bag sticking up.

[mlpeloquin]

I had a Samsung in my S&B. The fan made noise when it ran. The ice build up was inside the fridge. All that had to be done was remove the shelves, the center panel, and pour hot water over the ice. Then the drip hole down at the bottom, where the problem was, needed to be cleared. More hot water until the ice in the tube melted. Then the fridge had to be removed to gain access to the back. The drip tube ends in a tray. The end of the tube has one of the ends that are on Gas/Electric fridges. It gets clogged with dust? Cut a small "V" at the bottom of the tube. Problem solved. Many high efficient fridges are designed the same way.

[azSkier]

Thanks for the ideas. I'm concerned about rolling a 300# fridge onto wood. If I don't have everything just right, I'll never get it back in.

The defrost idea is interesting. We been in California for weeks and the humidity is high. Will check it out.

Thanks

[Ilvmygt]

When I installed and later did maintenance on my residential refrigerator I put 1/8 inch tempered hardboard from Lowe's on the floor. Cut it to fit. Put the smooth side up and the cart will move easily. I put enough down so I could roll the refrigerator to the middle of the room.

You can also use the 1/8 hardboard make shims to adjust the height of the cart to get the refrigerator out and in.

Also, I would check the specs for the refrigerator as 300 pounds seams high.

[gnvrvin]

Azskier
Any resolution on your fridge?
Seems fan would be accessible without removing fridge
I built a platform with 2x4 And mdf plywood worked great. Compressor went out we rolled fridge out on platform and techs were able to remove and replace compressor by removing outside access panel as this was a conversion from norcold to samsung rf18

Greg

[JFXG]

Originally Posted by azSkier

Thanks for the ideas. I'm concerned about rolling a 300# fridge onto wood. If I don't have everything just right, ………..

Don’t start over-engineering this. A fridge unit such as the Samsung RF18 only weighs in at about 200 Lb. [substantially less than a large absorption fridge like a Dometic 1292]. It’s not hard to make a platform that will hold it. It’s not hard to make it slide across a floor. Even a cheap, lightweight dolly like HF will do nicely.

[azSkier]

Update- somebody mentioned ice build up. I turned off the fridge for a night and the noise is gone. Thanks. I have saved this thread for future reference.

[gnvrvin]

Great to hear
You may Google your fridges model and see if there is a fix for the freezing issue.