Machines and garden paths

[GraemeVW]

I want a bigger lathe (currently have a 3.5" drummond), and a small mill.
Lathe, as much throw as poss without huge bed length. Wilson slant beds, round top Colchesters etc.
Mill, maybe something like a centec.

Anyhow, what has stopped me so far is access to my workshop.

Awkward curb, narrow sloping slabbed path, then a 1m wide gate. After that it should be reasonably easy, flat brush finished concrete.

If I get something delivered on a pallet I'll be stood there, with a 600-1500kg machine, sat on a pallet in the road.

What next?

I have always assumed I'm going to need to take it apart, preferably before it goes on the pallet in the first place.
But the whole situation is alien to me so I end up just forgetting the whole thing for a while again.
Most of my friends have bad backs and none of us have machine moving experience.
Got engine crane though and I have an electric winch I may be able to drag things up the slope with, as long as it's on wheels.

This pic is old, jetta got has gone
Path is a little wider now, maybe 50% wider.

What are my options?

 

[GraemeVW]

Other side of the gate, looking to workshop. I guess this part will be relatively easy

 

[Pete.]

Rip a sheet of 18mm ply in two, put your machine on a pallet truck and pull the pallet truck along the ply with a tirfor. Only lift the pallet high enough to allow it to move.

 

[DanZac]

You could probably get 2 sheets of thick plywood to users a temporary path and then use your winch and a couple of rollers (scaffold bar offcuts or something) and then just drag anything up through the gate.
Might need a couple of willing helpers, a bit of thinking and a crow bar for levering it about, but should be pretty simple.

Beaten to it by @Pete.

 

[Pete.]

Alternatively, get four 7-foot scaffold boards and pull it along those same way.

 

[GraemeVW]

Rip a sheet of 18mm ply in two, put your machine on a pallet truck and pull the pallet truck along the ply with a tirfor. Only lift the pallet high enough to allow it to move.

Sort of what I had in mind but I thi k steel was mentioned rather than wood.

Some wood wedges to put the ply on to get it over the curb?
There is a drop curb next to it but might be awkward with angles etc.

My main concern is the slope. No idea how much of a problem that will be.

 

[Pete.]

Kerbs you take care of with an engine hoist and rollers.

 

[GraemeVW]

It's the unknown that's a worry.
If I get stuck in left with a big lump on the pavement!

Maybe I should volunteer to help in someone else's equipment move first, get a feel for it with none of the responsibility!

 

[GraemeVW]

@Pete.
Saw your skid pic but replying here instead.
Now to my inexperienced eye, that looks terrifying.

Maybe I'm just assuming it's going to be harder than it is.

Hoiked a bloody big diesel engine out of my mates train a little while back and thought nothing of it (engine crane did mind!)

Maybe I'm over thinking it.

I guess I should gather some supplies (boards, poles etc), put an eye in the floor for the winch and get as prepared as possible.

I just need to make sure I can DEFFINATELY get it last the gate, even if I then have to give up untill another day.

 

[GraemeVW]

At what point to things get tricky?
Is A 600kg lathe going to be alot easier than a 1200kg lathe or is it a case of if you can't pick it up, it doesn't really matter (to a point).

I also guess a mill will be harder as more top heavy, although smaller footprint.

 

[RichardM]

I would be more concerned with a slope causing it to topple sideways,the up bit just means a bit more heaving required. Steel on steel slides well, or conduit cut up to roll it on.
You can always strip most of the bits off too make it easier (guards, handwheels etc)

 

[knighty]

no idea on cost, but if you had delivery via hiab they'd be able to drop it right at the gate for you.. maybe the other side of the gate can't quite tell how far it is from photo

 

[waddycall]

It’s always surprising what a few bits of timber, a few bars and a cool head can achieve. It’s the cool head that’s the tricky bit!

 

[GraemeVW]

no idea on cost, but if you had delivery via hiab they'd be able to drop it right at the gate for you.. maybe the other side of the gate can't quite tell how far it is from photo

Maybe 20' from the road.

 

[My Old Landy]

I would be more concerned with a slope causing it to topple sideways,the up bit just means a bit more heaving required. Steel on steel slides well, or conduit cut up to roll it on.
You can always strip most of the bits off too make it easier (guards, handwheels etc)

You mention a Centec, they are easy to move. My wife and I moved this one on our own with an engine crane and strapped to a home made dolly. Note the position of the purple lifting strap as that is recommended in the manual.

 

[GraemeVW]

I would be more concerned with a slope causing it to topple sideways,the up bit just means a bit more heaving required. Steel on steel slides well, or conduit cut up to roll it on.
You can always strip most of the bits off too make it easier (guards, handwheels etc)

That is my BIG concern!
The path to the door is now gone, as I widened the side path to make it easier getting motorbikes up.
At least if it falls (to the right) it will land on grass (well, mud and weeds)

 

[GraemeVW]

You mention a Centec, they are easy to move. My wife and I moved this one on our own with an engine crane and strapped to a home made dolly. Note the position of the purple lifting strap as that is recommended in the manual.
View attachment 318367View attachment 318366

Yeah, they don't seem too bad. I guess that's a big part of their popularity.
There bas been one for sale for ages but the seller never responds, and I missed another while waiting for that response. Not seen another one at a decent price yet.

 

[Pete.]

Handiest tool is a 6 foot pry bar. If you can find one with a heel it's nice otherwise just a plain bar with a flat one end and a point the other. It's a level, it's a jack, it's a roller all in one.

 

[WvW]

I had similar issues as you with respect to moving big machines about a garden path. I got a secondhand one of these off eBay. Biggest thing I have moved so far (albeit in pieces) was a Elliott milling machine. Did it on my own with an engine crane and this:

Heavy Duty Turntable Platform Truck | Racking.com

www.racking.com

 

[GraemeVW]

I had similar issues as you with respect to moving big machines about a garden path. I got a secondhand one of these off eBay. Biggest thing I have moved so far (albeit in pieces) was a Elliott milling machine. Did it on my own with an engine crane and this:

Heavy Duty Turntable Platform Truck | Racking.com

www.racking.com

£500+!
Seems expensive for what it is.
Looks handy though.

It had crossed my mind to make a trolley.