Every time I post a picture of this plant I am told to repot it. However, I can't repot it. It doesn't matter how much old carpeting I have, it's just too much for my husband and I to handle. It was all we could do to transplant it into the current pot years ago. It's at least as big as a beach ball now. What harm can be done by keeping it in this pot?

Kelli, that is a gorgeous barrel!!! I collect those...especially the big giant specimens like yours. It's worth a lot of money here as they are uncommon in that size. It looks VERY healthy and wonderful, I think it's fine!

If the pot isn't precious to you, you could pick up the pot, place it in another bigger pot, then smash the clay pot with a hammer while it's in there, pick up the big chunks of pot and leave the smaller ones in there for drainage, then add soil and gravel at the top. That way you wouldn't have to handle the cactus itself. You can cover it with a blanket while you're working with it.

If picking up pot with the cactus in it is out of the question, then don't worry about it! That cactus looks so healthy, doesn't seem like there's any immediate issue anyway.

I've never had a problem just wrapping it in a couple of beach towels. Mine is as big as that, but I've planted it in the ground.

Sounds like you need and engine hoist used in garages. Can lift up to 8 tons and has a boom to extend to hard to reach places. Just rap around slings around the bottom half. Use welder's gloves. Heavy duty leather that spines can't penetrate. Ask around. Many people have them and could even help you with your job. I use mine to even pull trees and shrubs out.
Stush