Would a guy need to be strong?

Perks · Aug 23, 2006

How difficult would you say it would be for a slight man to drag approximately 250lbs of, well, you know, on a plastic tarp, over a level, grassy lawn. I'm thinking maybe a total distance of 50 yards.

Help me out here guys. Male upper body strength is so different from female plant-your-feet-and-haul. I've moved very heavy pieces of furniture on blankets across hardwood, but I'm thinking it's not the same.

Tell me what you think, sos I can figure what to write.

alleycat · Aug 23, 2006

How slight?

I would say yes, given those parameters, even a small guy could drag 250 lbs. on a tarp on a level surface. He might need a breather or two for 50 yards. I don't think it depends so much on upper body strength but in how good a physical condition the guy is in. If it's a frail guy, it might take a while; if it's a young guy who's just small he could probably do it fairly easily. Picking up 250 lbs. is hard, dragging it is much less so.

Perks · Aug 23, 2006

I'm thinking about 5'10", slim, but doughy, you know?

alleycat · Aug 23, 2006

I don't think you'd have a problem making it believable. Just make him struggle a bit and be tired by the end.

MidnightMuse · Aug 23, 2006

I've always thought guys can pull pretty well, and us gals can push better. But I'd think if he just pants and has to stop now and again, it would work. After all, you said it's on a bag, and over grass, right? Even your average dough-boy should manage that, given enough time.

PennStater · Aug 23, 2006

Is this for a book or are you trying to get rid of your ex-boyfriend?

Perks · Aug 23, 2006

Shhhh. I'm trying to get rid of my current one.

alleycat · Aug 23, 2006

PennStater said:
Is this for a book or are you trying to get rid of your ex-boyfriend?

We don't ask questions like that here. Especially in the House of Hate thread. Be afraid, be very afraid.

trumancoyote · Aug 23, 2006

I've done it before. I'm little, as you know, and it was never too much trouble.

Since there's grass, though, it's bound to be humid -- and since he'll be exerting himself, make sure there's lots of sweat and pantage involved. Maybe even fogging of glasses. That was always a problem for me.

rtilryarms · Aug 23, 2006

Some slight little guys are extraordinarily strong. Is your character one of those? I know a lot of soft big guys who cannot do it and some skinny guys I bet could.

Perks · Aug 23, 2006

No, he's not strong. There's nothing physically wrong with him. He's just not a very imposing guy.

Soccer Mom · Aug 23, 2006

My husband isn't especially tall or big (OMG-don't tell him I said that) but he's very strong. He does a lot of very hard work around the farm and can lift and pull a lot of weight. Carrying it would be a stretch, but pulling it I can see.

And when the police ask if they can come in and ask questions tell them your attorney said NOT WITHOUT A WARRANT!:0

Jamesaritchie · Aug 23, 2006

Yes, most small guys could drag such weight, but as trumancoyote says, there will be panting and shortness of breath. I'd also have him stop and rest once or twice.

Personally, if I could get it over my shoulder, especially in a fireman's carry, I'd rather carry 250 pounds fifty yards because I'd get there a heck of a lot faster, and it's really a bit easier than dragging it. But a small, slim guy couldn't do this.

But, yes, he could drag it.

Perks · Aug 23, 2006

Oh god, James, I see what you're saying, but in this instance, you're just gonna have to trust me - lol! - dragging is the way to go. Hee hee.

Thanks for the input!

jst5150 · Aug 23, 2006

Muscle pain along the way from the quick build up of amino acids as he exerts himself. Also, if the plan is to talk about him in the days after, then muscle strain from overexertion. The plastic tarp would bunch and gather (if that's not redundant) from pieces and parts flopping freely along the way hanging up or getting caught under.

poetinahat · Aug 23, 2006

The harder he's working, the deeper he has to breathe. If this, er, matter has any stench at all, he's going to have trouble trying not to smell it.

The initial friction encountered when getting the weight moving is hard to overcome, so it's best if at all possible to keep moving. Otherwise, the repeated tugs will eventually add frustration to the exhaustion and other emotions.

Go Segway!

C.bronco · Aug 23, 2006

Make the grass dewey. You get less friction and more momentum. Sure, a slight guy could do it. My husband can bench that much.

HoosierCowgirl · Aug 23, 2006

From dragging stuff on tarps -- hands cramp up. And tarps are very noisy. It would probably leave a trail for awhile through the grass.

My DH would get the skid loader (a farm-oriented fork lift) and roll the body into the bucket, probably, and drive away with it.

I've often wondered if anyone has disposed of a body in one of those 500-pound capacity incinerators on large hog farms. There'd be a "dead cart" right there handy for expired sows ... h'mm.

Ann

Perks · Aug 23, 2006

You people. I never said it was a dead body. What a bunch of sinister-minded freaks you all are.

TheIT · Aug 24, 2006

Perks said:
You people. I never said it was a dead body. What a bunch of sinister-minded freaks you all are.

And your point is?

Ever read A Night in the Lonesome October by Roger Zelazny? If Snuff the watchdog could do it, your guy should be able to, too.

Bufty · Aug 24, 2006

He'd be better humping it into a wheelbarrow -no? And the tarp had better be thickish or it will tear. Damned hard to grip and pull. How dense is whatever he's dragging? If it was sand, for example, I doubt he'd shift it at all, but I've never tried it.

Test it out and see what happens is the best way - no?

Perks · Aug 24, 2006

God Bufty, that baby looks just like one of mine. I have dozens of little bald, fatcheeked pictures in just that pose. What a flashback.

Yeah, the tarp is a thick one. It'll be hard, but I think it'll be okay.

MidnightMuse · Aug 24, 2006

Perks said:
You people. I never said it was a dead body. What a bunch of sinister-minded freaks you all are.

So . . . you're sayin' it's just a bunch of body parts?

HoosierCowgirl · Aug 24, 2006

Sinister? Moi?

It'd have to be a pretty sturdy tarp. The blue ones unravel so easily we've seen oriole nests with blue tarp thread woven through them.

Ann

Soccer Mom · Aug 25, 2006

Oh, it's not a dead body?

Sure. Whatever you say, Perks. We believe you.

What I said about the cops still stands

And tell them you aren't making any statements until I get there.

Would a guy need to be strong?

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