Lifting a mill off a pallet

[Dabbler]

That drum switch is for a 2 speed 3 phase motor and adds reversing. I figure them out by tracing each time I rewire one. here are several switching patterns.

 

[Winegrower]

My mill (Clone, but exacly a Bridgeport every place I've looked) manual shows lifting by the eye as the only method shown, and I've done that with a cherry picker but only for short distances on a smooth concrete floor. But I've also used a strap looped under the front and back of the ram and lifting in the center (plus or minus) of the strap. It[s a little easier to control the mill tilt by adjusting the lift point if the CG is not favorable.

 

[Larry$]

The manual that came with my Jet 949 says to lift it by the "Lifting Ring" on the top of the ram. Machine weighs about 2400#s

 

[matthewsx]

I used the lifting ring on my Gorton, and Samson. But, lifting slings as shown are probably preferred.

The ring had the advantage of clearance when working with a cherry picker that would only go so high. Straps mean you need to lift higher and that’s not always possible.

Of course, this was only to lift enough to get a palate underneath or out of the way. Best I think is with a forklift, forks blocked with wood underneath each side of the ram.

If you have a gantry crane I’d use the straps.

Reminds me, we have several nice gantries stored at work that were probably never using again. I can ask the boss if we can sell them if anyone is interested.

John

 

[BGHansen]

There are differing opinions, but here is a page from Bridgeport's manual (the full manual is attached). It shows using a sling or an eye bolt up top. I've moved mine by both methods. The photo below shows the initial removal from the trailer where I used a sling as shown in method 2. I used the sling because I didn't have a proper swiveling eye bolt at the time.

I moved the mill to its current location using method 1 with my HF gantry crane. HF recommends not picking up the load and rolling it using the crane's casters. I moved it by setting the mill down, then moved the gantry crane so the mill was up against one end of the crane. Then, lifted the mill, pushed it to the opposite side of the crane using the trolley, and lowered it. Rinse and repeat as I needed to move the mill about 40'.

 

[pontiac428]

Here's this picture again from attempting to move my mill. I prefer a toe jack and cribs, but I acknowledge it's not an easy job. Cutting away non load bearing parts of the pallet with a sawzall can help with access. Just be careful, I learned from mistakes twice and came out lucky. Make your moves slow and your actions reversible, it's better to stop and reassess than to commit to any given action that can't be halted once begun.