Moving my milling machine

[fizzy]

We can move Bridgeports through our network IF palletised correctly.
1000kg limit on a tail lift.
Post some piccies of your milling machine. What make/model is it?
And of course it is much cheaper through a pallet network although there is always a risk - less if you palletise it properly.
We have done it loads of times.

 

[fizzy]

I notice you mentioned a car park with a low barrier. If it is tarmac or concrete and not too far away the driver can easily collect with his pallet truck. Most are electric now and make the job so much easier.

 

[slim_boy_fat]

@fizzy I seen the phrase "kerbside only" used - is that always the case or will drivers (subject to the above) agree to take a machine into a garage or unit?

 

[fizzy]

@fizzy I seen the phrase "kerbside only" used - is that always the case or will drivers (subject to the above) agree to take a machine into a garage or unit?

Depends on the driver on the day.
Technically it is kerbside only but the vast majority of drivers will move it into a garage or something if it isn't too much hassle. Far more likely in quieter areas than London of course

 

[Guzrik]

I notice you mentioned a car park with a low barrier. If it is tarmac or concrete and not too far away the driver can easily collect with his pallet truck. Most are electric now and make the job so much easier.

And this I think is a big added value in this case? No need for lifting yourself other than pallet height.

 

[gaz1]

as reference

Mobile Gantry Crane

Looking for a *nd opinion on whether this will be “sensible” design. Not much more thought has gone into it other then this is what’s laying around and saves buying more stock. Need a mobile gantry, 3m wide to fit over truck/trailer, 500-1000kg max it will ever lift. this is the rough sketch...

www.mig-welding.co.uk

 

[AlexBrown_1]

Here it is - you'll have to excuse the mess. The vertical head isn't on at the moment

 

[AlexBrown_1]

Some folks on the Web are saying around 1800-1900lb which would equate to around 900kg I think - anyone know any better?

 

[Guzrik]

If you can get it on skates with a crowbar and some wooden blocks, can you maybe ride it under a stronger beam somewhere to lift it free so you can get a pallet under?

 

[fizzy]

That doesn't look too bad - probably ok on a tail lift.

 

[mr_splatter]

Moved my Bridgeport on an engine crane. As mentioned previously the legs can be an issue. Lifted it clear of the legs and put some hefty timbers across legs and dropped the base onto this. Strapped the whole thing together to the crane and moved it in a 7.5 ton lorry with a 1000kg tail lift. Nodded the head right down to lower the centre of gravity. Had to get it across a gravel drive one end so used a load of old OSB sheets I had and rolled on old scaffold tubes. I made (welded!!) up a lever from an old scaffold tube with another piece at 90 degrees on the end and a thick ‘tongue’ to slot under the base. About 4ft long so plenty of leverage to get the rollers under. Got it done on the cheap as the house movers moved it for me. They told me they moved pianos all the time. Don’t think they’ll do a mill again Lowering it on the tailgate was a bit hairy as even with the head down it was quite top heavy. Idiot mover lad was standing by it as if he would stop it toppling. Told him to get out of the way and let it go if it toppled. Thankfully all went OK. Unfortunately it’s still sitting in my garage on the rollers, head down after 8 years! Too much stuff in there to get at it.

 

[Guzrik]

Make sure you have a good plan, plenty of good advise in this topic and sure there will be more if you give a bit more info/pics.
Drop it and you will never forget.

 

[DennisCA]

I dunno how it is in the UK but I've seen tail lifts rated up to 2000kg here, one of those lifted down my milling machine (1200kg) from the truck when I got it.

 

[6ply]

Last time I needed a gantry to lift a grinder of a trailer I made one from scaffold. Took maybe half an hour to erect. Would have been quicker with help. Chain hoist and pallet truck made the job easy.

 

[fizzy]

Does anyone know here how to move a milling machine from UK to the West Coast of US?

I run a logistics company and am a mad collector so should be able to help
What machine is it?
Are there forklifts at collection and delivery points?

 

[DAPPH]

Several years ago Iad a lovely packing case made in hard thick plywood with 4 inch thick bolted in spars to secure things for some heavy laboratory equipment stuff made in the USA that I imported , fantastic as no one could see or steal any bits without opening the forklift-able case .
Also had a pal who purchased a few dozen British red street telephone boxes and sold them to homeward bound US servicemen ..... complete in sturdy stout well braced packing boxes where nothing slopped about .

 

[Jelly_Sheffield]

In a similar situation I have tried:

- Dropside Van and Gantry
- Low Roof Panel Van and Engine Crane
- Plant Trailer and Winch.

Of the three, using a plant trailer and winch would always be my preference now.

I will try to find pictures, but effectively you get the machine on rollers or skates, rig it on the winch so that it can't tip over, and then very slowly pull it up the ramp, then jack it onto wooden bearers and strap down.

It would work equally well (perhaps better) with a tilt-bed trailer if you're hiring it in.

I use the winch on my pickup, but it would be just as easy with a Tirfor, or chain winch, anything that can both pull and pay out under load.

 

[Beanwood]

In a similar situation I have tried:

- Dropside Van and Gantry
- Low Roof Panel Van and Engine Crane
- Plant Trailer and Winch.

Of the three, using a plant trailer and winch would always be my preference now.

I will try to find pictures, but effectively you get the machine on rollers or skates, rig it on the winch so that it can't tip over, and then very slowly pull it up the ramp, then jack it onto wooden bearers and strap down.

It would work equally well (perhaps better) with a tilt-bed trailer if you're hiring it in.

I use the winch on my pickup, but it would be just as easy with a Tirfor, or chain winch, anything that can both pull and pay out under load.

How do you cope with the ocean crossing that would be required in this particular case

 

[Jelly_Sheffield]

This is me moving a Genset that weighs about 1200kg, as it's the only photos I could find.

Same principle applied to this mill, which is 2500kg...

Took about an hour to position the trailer, rig up the winch, and then carefully lower off.

Loading it took maybe half that time, as it's much easier to remain in control when going up.

I've also used the same trick with manual rigging gear to load heavy stuff in and out of the pickup.

That's about 400kg loaded in and out using the ramp and some basic ropework.

Way less work than using a Gantry:

which is itself quick and easy, but requires you to setup and tear down a gantry (which isn't quick or easy), twice.

 

[Jelly_Sheffield]

How do you cope with the ocean crossing that would be required in this particular case

Didn't notice that...

But it doesn't actually change my answer all that much.


• Drain all coolant and cover all the ways and precision surfaces with cosmoline or equivalent protective grease,
• Book shipping through a reputable agent,
• Move the machines like I normally do,
• Drop them all off with whichever LTL Freight Forwarder my shipping agent has arranged for them to crate and load into a shipping container,
• Wait until they arrived,
• Go collect them,
• Regret using cosmoline only slightly less than I would have regretted them rusting in transit.


As an individual dealing with international sea freight, it's absolutely not worth trying to do the booking/paperwork yourself.

From an insurance perspective it's much better to drop the goods off to be crated and loaded by someone who will take responsibility if they are damaged or shift and damage something else in transit.

If access isn't an issue, it would probably be possible to get the shipping agent to arrange Hiab collection too, which would massively reduce the hassle involved.