Lifting a mill off a pallet

[marctoofan]

I am new to this forum. This questions has probably been answered many times. I got a mill, lathe, and a surface grinder from a friend that closed his shop. I need to lift the mill off the pallet. I have a gantry with a chain hoist. Can the mill be lifted just from the eye bolt? Should I lift it from the under the ways on the ram (taking care to protect the ways from damage)? Or from both of these locations? Pictures attached. Any advice is appreciated. Thank You.

 

[mmcmdl]

I always wrapped straps around both sides of the ram as you've shown as it keeps the machine somewhat balanced .

 

[rodm1]

Bridgeport used the eye bolts to move them I think. If I remember correctly they used cherry pickers to move them threw the factory.

 

[wnchstrtnfldvlle]

I used the eye bolt and a chain hoist with no issues. Although I did upgrade the eye bolt with one from McMaster Carr. If I remember correctly the manual said to use straps on the ram.

 

[sdelivery]

Do Not Use the EYEBOLT to lift this machine.
This is written in the Bridgeport manual.
follow Daves suggestion and lift with two lifting points, one on either end of the ram.

 

[Dabbler]

Do Not Use the EYEBOLT to lift this machine.
This is written in the Bridgeport manual.
follow Daves suggestion and lift with two lifting points, one on either end of the ram.

THIS!!

These threaded holes were intended for mounting/dismounting the Ram/Turret in manufacture, and useful on a rebuild.

I talked to the chief mechanic/rigger at H&W Machine repair (they rebuild dozens of BP mills every year). He worked at the BP factory, and they NEVER moved machines in the factory with the threaded hole in the ram. They used forklifts on pallets.

Lifting from the ram is safe. I lift from the bottom of the base, with a cinch at the turret to prevent tipping. I get good control that way, and a lot of redundancy.

 

[marctoofan]

Thank you for all of the responses on lifting the mill off the pallet. Greatly appreciated.

The mill came with a changeover switch. The wire had the plug removed when i got the machine.
The yellow wire with the green stripe is mounted to the back of the switch. This would seem to be the ground.
Anyone have any experience with these changeover switches? I cant find a diagram online.

 

[pontiac428]

You've three phases, so the motor will run in either forward or in reverse under power. If reversed, swap two line legs and it will run forward. That is depending on what you have in the cabinet, you can't run controls and contactors off of the generated leg if you are using a RPC. So for more specific advice, what is your input power?

I just saw the American Rotary box. Looks like a simple setup with no low voltage or controls, so it should be a straight hookup with the possibility of swapping legs to correct phase rotation.

 

[mmcmdl]

Although that eyebolt may handle the stress , I wouldn't trust it to move my new 2300lb machine . Straps are cheap . Replacing broken BP parts is not .

 

[mksj]

Below is the description from the Sharp/Arca mill that indicate either can be used. That being the case, I would only use the ring if just to unbolt say a pallet to slide it out and then lower, and I still use a combination of both to also prevent tilt. Most everything I see is to use straps under the ram, and use wood blocks or hard rubber between them and the ram to prevent the straps from tearing/getting damaged. I also had the rude awaking with my knee mill (after using it) that the lifting ring had a rated working weight of 1000 lbs, my mill with the base is around 2700 lbs. I replaced it with a 2T ring, but would only use it as a redundant safety.