Lifting and transporting apparatus and method

An apparatus for lifting and transporting objects, the apparatus comprising:

• a vertical support beam, the vertical support beam comprising at least one first attachment means for removably attaching to a base object, the vertical support beam comprising at least one second attachment means for removably rotatably attaching to a lifting apparatus for lifting objects;
• and
• a plurality of outriggers pivotably attached to a lower end of the vertical support beam, each outrigger comprising an arm extending away from the vertical support beam in a substantially horizontal position in a deployed state and pivoting to a substantially vertical position in a stowed state, each outrigger arm comprising third attachment means at a first end thereof for pivotably attaching the respective outrigger arm to the vertical support beam such that the respective outrigger arm may be locked in the substantially horizontal position in the deployed state and the substantially vertical position in the stowed state, wherein the third attachment means comprises adjustment means for adjusting the substantially horizontal position of the respective outrigger arm in the deployed state, at least one outrigger arm comprising support means at a second end thereof for supporting the vertical support beam in a substantially vertical orientation while in the deployed state, wherein the support means comprises a caster assembly including a castor mount that is rotatable around a substantially vertical axis, wherein the castor mount comprises a swivel means for maintaining a substantially vertical axis of rotation of the caster mount when adjusting the substantially horizontal position of the at least one outrigger arm in the deployed state via the adjustment means.