Millrite Moving Methods?

[Dave Bonzo]

The 52" pry bar and blocks will work in place of a toe jack. Floor jacks and bottle jacks help when there are lift points. The rest of the equipment you've rented will make life easy for you!

So, by happenstance there's a toe jack in stock at Harbor Freight, locally...

The pry bar is amazing; I can tilt and lift my 600+lb. drill press with one hand. I have a few 4x4 offcuts, a few pieces of 2x4, etc...but I really shouldn't have to block up anything very far; just enough to get the lifts underneath. They're kind of like big toe jacks, I guess. I think I'll pick up a length of 3/4"-thick something for a low-height block.

The only thing that I'm actually concerned about is the trailer itself; I'll probably have to disconnect it to lower it...and that means raising it back up to reconnect it...so, maybe a good set of wheel chocks and an extra 4x4 block.

 

[7milesup]

Quick update:

The trailer lights on the Toyota are working, the US-spec hitch is installed, and I have a 10' trailer reserved at the nearby Sunbelt; it's the drop-deck, so hopefully that'll make things easy. I also have a pair of Roll-A-Lifts reserved, and I got a heavy appliance hand truck for the smaller things. I have...oh, two dozen ratchet straps or so...for securing things, so I should be good there. I'll pick up some lumber for chocking and blocking, and I'll take the 5' heavy pry bar with me. Planning on leaving this afternoon.

Right now, I'm thinking that I'll load the lathe(s) just forward of the axle, then place the mill just behind/over the axle; that should bias the weight slightly towards the front, so hopefully it'll pull well. I think the lathe(s) won't be so bad to move, but the mill is unwieldy, so I'm thinking that I'll do the head-rotation thing to invert that portion and then put the table down as low as it'll go. That should make it a bit easier to move; I don't think there's any hoisting ability on-site to fully disassemble things.

I have about six hours to look through things and load stuff, so there's no rush...at least, I think there isn't. We'll see.

I would be remiss if I did not warn you about drop deck trailers. While they are absolutely awesome for moving machinery, they can hold a nasty surprise while towing. Since the axle(s) do not run under the trailer (actually, there are no axles), the alignment on the wheels can be off and maybe lack toe-in for tracking.
I rented one for moving my very large Sharp mill, and while it worked awesome, I was limited to no more than 55 MPH. If I went 57 mph, it would get squirrely. When I first hooked onto the trailer with my Ram 1/2 ton P.U. truck, I figured the "55 mph" placard on the fender was a "suggestion." Ummm-no. When I reached about 63 mph, the trailer came loose and attempted to pull my truck in a circle. The traction assist and ABS when into "holy crap" mode, and luckily I was able to get it back under control. I have pulled many trailers, and that one caught me by total surprise.
Good luck with the move. Looking forward to pictures because you know us guys... Pictures, or it didn't happen.

 

[7milesup]

The only thing that I'm actually concerned about is the trailer itself; I'll probably have to disconnect it to lower it.

What? Why? It should be hydraulic and controlled with a pump.

 

[Dave Bonzo]

What? Why? It should be hydraulic and controlled with a pump.

I hope it is, but I haven't picked it up yet. I've seen hydro models that lower without being disconnected, and I've seen others that are also hydraulic (or electric) that only lower at the back, and use a portion of the front trailer jack to lower that end. I'm really hoping it isn't the latter.

Also, thanks for the warning on the speed rating. I had wondered how well one would track with very little axle control between the wheels.

 

[Firstram]

I hope it is, but I haven't picked it up yet. I've seen hydro models that lower without being disconnected, and I've seen others that are also hydraulic (or electric) that only lower at the back, and use a portion of the front trailer jack to lower that end. I'm really hoping it isn't the latter.

Also, thanks for the warning on the speed rating. I had wondered how well one would track with very little axle control between the wheels.

On a trailer like that, it’s very important that the trailer rides level! If your hitch isn’t adjustable and you can’t make it happen, adjust the load to place 10-15% of the weight on the truck based on the dominant trailer axle!

If you do end up swaying, stop at Lowe’s and buy 5 or 6 bags of play sand for weight over your rear axle. You can adjust the weight to make it tow perfectly!

Weight distribution is no joke and things can go south quickly! Common sense is the 2nd most important thing, take it easy!

 

[Dave Bonzo]

No adjustment on Land Cruiser hitches; they're strong, but they're also up in the air. The play sand is a great idea; thank you. That's a very simple way to adjust things.

 

[Firstram]

No adjustment on Land Cruiser hitches; they're strong, but they're also up in the air. The play sand is a great idea; thank you. That's a very simple way to adjust things.

I am not throwing stones or trying to start arguments here, but, but if you look at the photograph 7mile posted you will see that the trailer is tounge low. The mill is loaded properly for a level trailer, but the way it’s sitting there isn’t enough weight on the rear axle of the truck which causes sway. A properly loaded trailer doesn’t have a speed limit! Going slower is just a bandaid, all it takes is a bad spot in the road to set it off.

I’ll PM you my phone number, if you have any questions, please feel free to call.

 

[Dave Bonzo]

I am not throwing stones or trying to start arguments here, but, but if you look at the photograph 7mile posted you will see that the trailer is tounge low. The mill is loaded properly for a level trailer, but the way it’s sitting there isn’t enough weight on the rear axle of the truck which causes sway. A properly loaded trailer doesn’t have a speed limit! Going slower is just a bandaid, all it takes is a bad spot in the road to set it off.

I’ll PM you my phone number, if you have any questions, please feel free to call.

Sounds good; thank you!

 

[matthewsx]

Safety toe shoes....

 

[Dave Bonzo]

Trailer did well on the first part of the drive, unloaded...and the Toyota pulled it surprisingly well. Yet again, I long for a turbocharger at any degree of altitude...but aside from that, no issues so far. Hopefully today continues in that vein.