Moving my milling machine

[AlexBrown_1]

So I've got to move my garage to a new (double!!) garage.
The big ticket item is my mill which is I think around 8-900kg (very difficult to get a real number on)

Ideally I don't want to break it down, just out of my current garage and into the new one in one piece.

The current garage is in a car park with a restricted height access, I think a small truck would get under but not a large van if that makes sense?

The drive between houses is about one and a quarter hours so I feel like that's where most of my money would be going if I were to pay someone door to door. I have one quote at about 500quid without moving the machine inside the garages at all.

Are the general public allowed to hire small hiab cranes on a 7.5tonne perhaps? I can't see much apart from a number of places that say no. Maybe a 7.5tonne with a 1tonne taillift?

I know there's a lot of very experienced people on here with this sort of thing so help is much appreciated, or companies you would recommend etc. I'm in the Midlands going up to South of Manchester if that helps.

Thanks all!

 

[julianf]

800kg sounds a lot but a dumpy bag of sand is (approx) 825kg, so it's not that much of an unusual load.

I don't know how physically big it is, but could you get it on a pallet (pallet truck would then move it on the flat) and, worst case, pay a pallet firm to shift it?

 

[mr haynes]

Trailer and gantry/engine hoist an option?

 

[striker]

If you can borrow an engine crane to lift then stout wood across the legs to lower the mill onto. This is how I moved mine. I used a trailer, but it would have been a lot easier if I'd of hired a Luton van with tail Lift. About £50 for half a day around here.

 

[Martin-Sy]

I think most van tail lifts are 500kg.

 

[Arclikeharrypotter]

Have you tried LANDY lift? Always very helpful and reasonably priced.

 

[julianf]

The irritation with engine cranes is always the legs of the crane getting in the way.

A standard red crane (from China, same as mine) will not be able to lift a 1 tonne load at an extended boom. So it will lift it, but not with much reach.


Then the trailer will need to be reversed under the crane, without the crane legs conflicting with the trailer wheels. And then the load shuffled about on the trailer bed from where it was laid down, as, without the reach on the boom, it will not be in a suitable position for transport.

And then the whole lot again at the other end.

I've done it before, with slightly lesser loads. It's entirely possible, just takes thought and time (and, of course, a trailer, a crane, a pallet truck, etc...)

Edit - another consideration is the height and center of mass of a mill. Would you be able to lift it, safely, high enough to get a trailer under it?

 

[gaz1]

x2 of these

Mobile Lightweight Aluminium Gantries - Hire - HSS

Hire mobile lightweight aluminium gantries for portable site lifting solutions. Get expert support from HSS DIY today. Check availability today now

www.hss.com

and a trailer

 

[Guzrik]

So I've got to move my garage to a new (double!!) garage.
The big ticket item is my mill which is I think around 8-900kg (very difficult to get a real number on)

Ideally I don't want to break it down, just out of my current garage and into the new one in one piece.

The current garage is in a car park with a restricted height access, I think a small truck would get under but not a large van if that makes sense?

The drive between houses is about one and a quarter hours so I feel like that's where most of my money would be going if I were to pay someone door to door. I have one quote at about 500quid without moving the machine inside the garages at all.

Are the general public allowed to hire small hiab cranes on a 7.5tonne perhaps? I can't see much apart from a number of places that say no. Maybe a 7.5tonne with a 1tonne taillift?

I know there's a lot of very experienced people on here with this sort of thing so help is much appreciated, or companies you would recommend etc. I'm in the Midlands going up to South of Manchester if that helps.

Thanks all!

What is the roof of the garage made of?
Maybe hang a hoist from it supported by a few beams on both sides, to lift the mill and get a pallet under?
The gantry Gaz proposed is the best option I think, if that is available in your area. Once strapped on a suitable pallet the rest is straight forward.

 

[MetalMonkey]

I'd go with a trailer, I've moved most of my machinery with one – you just need to have a good plan at either end for loading and unloading.

 

[AlexBrown_1]

I'd go with a trailer, I've moved most of my machinery with one – you just need to have a good plan at either end for loading and unloading.

What vehicle did you tow it with? My father has a fiat doblo with a tow bar but its pretty gutless and I don't have a towbar on my car yet but its a 1.6 eco estate kia so not exactly roaring with power

 

[AlexBrown_1]

What is the roof of the garage made of?
Maybe hang a hoist from it supported by a few beams on both sides, to lift the mill and get a pallet under?
The gantry Gaz proposed is the best option I think, if that is available in your area. Once strapped on a suitable pallet the rest is straight forward.

Garage is your standard new build wooden framed thing - afraid I don't know too much more than that, I do have a winch/hoist which might be useful for moving it onto skates etc. Although now I think about it that's only 500kg so no good

 

[AlexBrown_1]

Have you tried LANDY lift? Always very helpful and reasonably priced.

I haven't asked but I don't think I've got the cash to pay a fair wage to someone to move it and drive it the 3 and a half hour round trip, ideally I'd do it myself with help from friends but if it's the only option I could look more into getting it down by a professional. The mill itself was only 700 quid!

 

[AlexBrown_1]

I'm guessing a trailer is a lot lower than a flatbed for lifting the mill into? Also thanks all for the replies its super useful. I'm the only one I know that has machining tools aside from you lot so I don't have a lot of guidance on this stuff!

 

[AlexBrown_1]

x2 of these

Mobile Lightweight Aluminium Gantries - Hire - HSS

Hire mobile lightweight aluminium gantries for portable site lifting solutions. Get expert support from HSS DIY today. Check availability today now

www.hss.com

and a trailer

Very interesting - hadn't even thought of this, thanks!

 

[gaz1]

just remember pack and lift dosnt matter if its a lathe or a milling machine

dont make the mistake as these guys

Milling machine falls on bloke-while lifting with a jack.

This happened at a Dyson factory while lifting the 1.5 tonne milling machine with a jack. They were in intending to remove the wheels and insert blocks. More details in the link. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-wiltshire-62411411

www.mig-welding.co.uk

even if it means making wood stabilizers to keep it upright you can always make a frame up to do this

 

[Guzrik]

Garage is your standard new build wooden framed thing - afraid I don't know too much more than that, I do have a winch/hoist which might be useful for moving it onto skates etc. Although now I think about it that's only 500kg so no good

Can you post pics of all things you mention (mill, garage, winch and skates)?
I have lifted and moved heavy things safely, with only wooden blocks, time and a crowbar but danger is in the details.
Any car with a towbar can do this job, unless maybe if it is uphill.

 

[Guzrik]

How did it get in this garage where it is now?

 

[AlexBrown_1]

How did it get in this garage where it is now?

It broke down into maybe 5 sections, which were moved in the back of an estate car one at a time and then reassembled by using a hoist suspended from a length of very chunky box section between the tops of the walls of the garage.

Moving it in the garages isn't too much of a concern I think it's more getting it up onto a suitable vehicle and then getting that to the new location.

 

[AlexBrown_1]

Can you post pics of all things you mention (mill, garage, winch and skates)?
I have lifted and moved heavy things safely, with only wooden blocks, time and a crowbar but danger is in the details.
Any car with a towbar can do this job, unless maybe if it is uphill.

I will try to get some pictures soon