Moving the Mill, No Sweat!!!!
Posted by
Dave Seal
on 2000-09-04 17:31:53 UTC
I have been in the custom machinery business for 18 years. I have
designed, built and moved anything I could talk people into paying me
for. Some big, some small. Some local and some even to China.
I don't ever remember biting off more than I could chew, but I have
sure as hell tried to chew more than I could swallow. (More than
once I might add.)
Really, what you are talking abour is not a tough project. You just
need a good plan. I am assuming that the pick-up location has a
method for lifting the machine. You will need to inspect the machine
to design and construct a sturdy skid. Remember the thing came on a
skid when new, so this should not be a hard task. If you cannot
inspect the machine then plan for the worst. (Try to get a
dimensions for the leveling bolt holes. If this is not possible do
it on site.) Carry everything you might imagine you could possibly
need, then a little more.
Very first thing upon arrival,,, center the table on the saddle, run
the saddle to the rear (Y+) and lower the table (or head)to the
lowest possible position. Everyone seems to think that the machine
is in the 7K# range. Using this weight, I would construct the skid
from 3, 4 X 4 timbers. You can usually get a deal on these at a
local saw mill, rough does not matter. Design the skid so you can
run bolts from the bottom up though the leveling bolt holes and
double the flat washers under the nuts. Try to drill the holes as
close to the bolt size as possible. The hex head will draw into the
bottom of the slid. Using 3 main skids attach a double 2 X 6 on top
of the skids directly under the table (X axis). This should be about
1/3 the distance from the saddle to the end of the table. Put a
block of 2 X 6 under the table. Measure the distance between the
double 2 X 6 abd the 2 X 6 block under the table. Cut a 4 X 4, 1/32"
longer than the measurement to insure a tight fit. Do this on both
sides of the saddle and run a couple of screws in each end of the 4 X
4. Then install 2 ratchet straps on each side from the table (4
total) top to the main skid to keep the 4 X 4 in place when the skid
flexes.
Rent (or better, borrow) a tilt bed trailer of sufficent capacity and
load the machine over the axles. When you think you have enough
ratchet straps to make the trip add two more and go home.
When you get to the delivery point remove the straps. Attach 2 (TWO)
come-alongs to the front of the trailer and to the machine. Jack one
end of the machine up and place 1" diameter schedule 40 pipes under
the skid and tilt away. Two come-alongs are much safer as they allow
you the steer the machine from the grips of Mr. Gravity.
I have done this many times. I learned from watching others!
Once off the trailer you can easily maneuver the machine (still
rolling on the pipes) into place by using a couple of pry bars.
Just remember to use common sense, stay out of the way of the machine
and let one person call the shots.
One side effect can be a tightening of the butt. This will go away
in a few hours.
This is the way this sort of thing was done throughtout history, up
until about 75 years ago!!!!!!
Good Luck
Dave Seal
designed, built and moved anything I could talk people into paying me
for. Some big, some small. Some local and some even to China.
I don't ever remember biting off more than I could chew, but I have
sure as hell tried to chew more than I could swallow. (More than
once I might add.)
Really, what you are talking abour is not a tough project. You just
need a good plan. I am assuming that the pick-up location has a
method for lifting the machine. You will need to inspect the machine
to design and construct a sturdy skid. Remember the thing came on a
skid when new, so this should not be a hard task. If you cannot
inspect the machine then plan for the worst. (Try to get a
dimensions for the leveling bolt holes. If this is not possible do
it on site.) Carry everything you might imagine you could possibly
need, then a little more.
Very first thing upon arrival,,, center the table on the saddle, run
the saddle to the rear (Y+) and lower the table (or head)to the
lowest possible position. Everyone seems to think that the machine
is in the 7K# range. Using this weight, I would construct the skid
from 3, 4 X 4 timbers. You can usually get a deal on these at a
local saw mill, rough does not matter. Design the skid so you can
run bolts from the bottom up though the leveling bolt holes and
double the flat washers under the nuts. Try to drill the holes as
close to the bolt size as possible. The hex head will draw into the
bottom of the slid. Using 3 main skids attach a double 2 X 6 on top
of the skids directly under the table (X axis). This should be about
1/3 the distance from the saddle to the end of the table. Put a
block of 2 X 6 under the table. Measure the distance between the
double 2 X 6 abd the 2 X 6 block under the table. Cut a 4 X 4, 1/32"
longer than the measurement to insure a tight fit. Do this on both
sides of the saddle and run a couple of screws in each end of the 4 X
4. Then install 2 ratchet straps on each side from the table (4
total) top to the main skid to keep the 4 X 4 in place when the skid
flexes.
Rent (or better, borrow) a tilt bed trailer of sufficent capacity and
load the machine over the axles. When you think you have enough
ratchet straps to make the trip add two more and go home.
When you get to the delivery point remove the straps. Attach 2 (TWO)
come-alongs to the front of the trailer and to the machine. Jack one
end of the machine up and place 1" diameter schedule 40 pipes under
the skid and tilt away. Two come-alongs are much safer as they allow
you the steer the machine from the grips of Mr. Gravity.
I have done this many times. I learned from watching others!
Once off the trailer you can easily maneuver the machine (still
rolling on the pipes) into place by using a couple of pry bars.
Just remember to use common sense, stay out of the way of the machine
and let one person call the shots.
One side effect can be a tightening of the butt. This will go away
in a few hours.
This is the way this sort of thing was done throughtout history, up
until about 75 years ago!!!!!!
Good Luck
Dave Seal