Printable View
Just wondering how people move these big old machines around. I was looking to purchase an old and very heavy machine...too heavy for my trailer and was wondering what the preferred methods of getting these from their old home to mine. It is currently in a town about 600km away. Appreciate any info on this.
Gaza
Hi Gaza,
If it was me I'd want to be in charge of the shift, so would it be possible to hire a trailer capable of carrying the weight? If so is your vehicle capable of towing the combined weight of trailer and machine? Another option would be to contact local transport businesses and see if they can back load it on a tilt tray or hiab truck. The problem that could arise here would be you're not in control of the shift, and run the risk of your machine arriving damaged or parts missing.
Cheers,
Geoff.
Thanks Geoff..... I have a Land Rover 4x4 that would tow a heavy trailer... not sure of the weight yet.....And thought I would investigate the options before I made a decision on the best way to move it. The current owner doesn't have lifting gear either which could make the trailer option a lot of stuffing around. I have often overlooked machines because of this very issue.... I am sure there are transport companies out there that take care...it's just a mater of finding them:D
Is it possible to partly break it into smaller parts
On a far smaller scale i broke down my planer/thicky due to weight issues i couldn’t handle on my own,ie over grass,down a slope and through narrow doors
depending on just how heavy the item is, an engine crane is pretty easy to transport there and back and will also help with getting the machine off the trailer your end.
I picked up a Wadkin disc and bobbin with a car trailer.
It weighed just on a ton.
They are not a top heavy machine like a bandsaw so we used a cumalong to winch it up ramps onto the flat deck of the trailer.
Used a chain block on a hardwood reinforced ‘U’ beam to get it off.
Then pipe rollers to move into position.
H.
I've twice had to use shipping firms to move machines (not specialist machine movers, but freight movers). Both times there was minor damage*. I've also used a local guy (an old friend of mine) who owns a one man trucking operation - he's been good, but is local only.
* a cast lug broken off one machine; a sheetmetal guard bent on another.
I still have one machine to shift ~700km (my Wadkin LP recessor). I was very reluctant to have it shipped. In addition to the cost (more than 1.5 x the purchase cost) it had cast-iron handwheels sticking out in a few places (fork-lift bait). I have made one run and removed most of the sticking-out parts - but I'm still reluctant to risk shipping the remaining hulk. At this stage, Plan 'A' is a return trip with a trailer late spring or early summer (don't want to hit black ice on the roads in the central North Island over winter :o).
So my recommendation: shift it yourself (with a helper or two) if you possibly can - even if that means hiring a trailer and a few days off work. There are plenty of threads on lifting and shifting and rollers etc.
Cheers, Vann.
Thanks Vann....... This one is about that far away as well.... It looks like the general feeling from the group is move it yourself if you want it arrive in one piece.:2tsup:
Maybe not in one piece, but at least disassembled, not smashed :DQuote:
Originally Posted by Gaza58
Cheers Vann.
I would use a car trailer and get a local truck with a HIAB or similar to lift it either end.
I shifted 500kg from melb to otaki in NZ. I made a crate that sits on top of a pallet. It was delivered door to door. The delivery truck had a tailgate lift. The guy used a pallet jack to move the crate around once the tailgate is on the ground. I would use pallets any time. There was no damage whatsoever not even to the crate.
Thanks.... I have used similar for smaller items up to 50kg... Industrial's are moving big items around all the time.. I guess if you do it right it should work without issues.