Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Re: Bridgeport Questions **JOHN.... PLEASE READ**

Hi Allan:
I am truly glad to see your comments regarding machine rigging safety.
They are very welcome on the list, at least from me!!
I know all to well from personal experience, the cost of inadequate rigging.
I had an 1800 lb surface grinder tip over and fall on top of me years ago.
I can still work up a sweat just thinking about it!!
I was bloody lucky to have sustained only minor injuries in the accident,
and under $2000.00 damage to the machine.
In my case it was a set of rollers that got away from me and allowed the
machine to tip over on top of me.
I second all of what you have criticized about tailgate lifting of
machinery: I would most emphatically say DON'T DO IT!!
These things are designed to move boxes and other comparatively low center
of gravity type of loads.
Do yourself a favour and have the goods delivered by a HIAB truck (boomcrane
truck for those of you across the pond) and rent a good sturdy pallet jack
to maneuver the equipment into your shop.
If that is unworkable, consider getting professional riggers in to do the
move for you.
At the very least, plan the move carefully, with safety uppermost in mind: a
bargain will do you no good at all if you are dead!!

Marcus
-----Original Message-----
From: alan_hantke@... <alan_hantke@...>
To: CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com <CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com>
Date: Monday, August 20, 2001 11:11 AM
Subject: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Re: Bridgeport Questions **JOHN.... PLEASE READ**

>Hi John:
>I felt that I had to make a comment about using a liftgate to move a mill.
>I have the greatest respect for Jon Elson, but in this case I wanted to add
>to his suggestion. In a word, be *very* careful! These are considerations
>you should review:
>
>1. Make absolutely certain that the liftgate is capable of handling the
>weight you are talking about
>
>2. Don't even think of using a small liftgate.... you need room to maneuver
>
>3. AND THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT!!!! Remember to *NEVER* stand where the
>machine can fall (and don't try to catch it should it come unglued). The
>result could very well be fatal. Nobody likes to lose a machine, but just
>ask your parents about which is cheaper.... medical bills (or funeral as
>the case may be) or a machine. I'm sure they will agree
>
>4. HAVE ENOUGH help! But..... too much is just as bad as not enough!
>
>Here are some other things to think about. I've moved things with a
>liftgate before and I don't think I'd ever do it again. Most liftgates are
>small and have an uncomfortable tilt BACKWARDS. In addition, as you move
>stuff onto them they tend to drop a little. It can be very un-nerving!
>Perhaps the biggest concern, however, is that you can rarely adjust the
>drop rate of a liftgate. Usually they are controlled by a simple switch...
>UP or DOWN. Now, that may seem OK on the face of it, but when you have
>2000 to 4000 pounds on the gate, they tend to come down VERY quickly. The
>net result is you try to stop the descent which causes the gate to suddenly
>bounce. Now think about this for a minute.....
>
>SMALL liftgate
>heavy machine
>TOP heavy machine (BPorts certainly are.... make certain you take off the
>head.... but BE CAREFUL!!! They aren't light either)
>backward tilting gate
>bouncing....
>
>Hmmm.... now if you are thinking that the machine is about to drop off the
>back of the gate, you are just about on target! This would be the time
>that you RUN, *not* try and play superman and listen to your pumping
>adrenalin!
>
>If you could crack the valve on a hydraulic liftgate and slowly lower it
>then much of this problem would be alleviated. I don't know if such a gate
>exists, but I'd highly recommend that you at least look for one.
>Alternatively I'd rent a forklift. They are GREAT and are *much* safer.
>Generally you are way out of harms way and you have EXCELLENT control over
>the RAISE and LOWER speed.
>
>I can't stress how much you need to be careful. I almost lost a Deckel FP1
>mill this way. It scared the s*&t out of me... so much so that I actually
>went out and purchased an older (but very serviceable) used order picker
>(small forklift). I am no longer worried when moving stuff. In most areas
>of the country you can very reasonably rent (including delivery and pickup)
>a forklift. Think long and hard about moving the machine that way.
>
>Welcome to the hobby.... At 16 I'm glad to see new blood that will be
>around. Please make certain that the blood stays in the veins, not on the
>ground. With care you will come to love your machine (I hope) and let your
>imagination go free. Electronics, mechanical, inventing.... it is all
>wrapped up in this stuff.
>
>Good Luck,
>--Alan
>
>
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