Preparing to Move a Lathe Safely

ACHiPo

ACHiPo

H-M Supporter - Gold Member
H-M Supporter Gold Member
I'm purchasing a Graziano 12S from a dealer several hundred miles away. I've arranged for a long-haul truck to bring it to a rigger, who will move it into my home shop. Once there I will likely need to move it a few times as I get the power, etc. situated. I'm thinking the safest way to do this would be to have 4x4 or 4x6 skids attached to the leveling legs lengthwise. This will provide enough room to get a floor jack under it and lift it onto pipes to move. I'd like to see pictures of how people have done this in the past, or get other suggestions of how to move it around. Below are a few details/constraints:

The lathe weighs 3000 - 3500 lbs according to the dealer (he weighed it and told me the weight, but I don't remember exactly how much but it's heavy)
It has a cast iron base, so it should be less tippy than most lathes, but still will have a reasonably high center of gravity.
It has 4 leveling feet. They do not appear to have any holes in them that I could use to attach skids.
I have a low-profile floor jack, but no pallet jack

Thanks in advance.

Here's a picture of the lathe:

3 (Large).jpg
 
I have zero moving advice but to say "Nice machine!!!"
 
Could you replace the leveling feet with leveling casters? Then you could roll it around rather easily I would think.
 
I did something similar with my lathe, which weighs in at about 5k. I used machinist skates (4) under the machine (similar to these: https://www.sunbeltrentals.com/equipment/detail/1217/0440060/8-ton-rigger/).

I was able to get a bottle jack under the bed to lift it onto them, though you don't seem to have that luxury. If I were to do it again, I'd use either these:

12 Ton 3 Point Rigger Set | Sunbelt Rentals

Rigger rollers are ideal for moving heavy objects with ease for variety of operations and applications. This option is great for installing and fabricating pipe in pipe racks or other tight and enclosed areas. This set has a 3-point system instead of a tradition 4-point system to provide better...
www.sunbeltrentals.com

Or, if you have a friend to help you out, these: https://www.sunbeltrentals.com/equipment/detail/1218/0440080/3-ton-roll-a-lift/

EDIT: The nice part about the last option is I think the required clearance is lower than some 'feet'. SO, lift it, remove the blocks and put feet on it, then move with these and put it down on the blocks.
 
Looking at several used machine dealer's websites the weight is listed as 1188 Kg. That translates to a little over 2,600 lbs.
 
When I worked for my dad we moved the entire machine shop out of the old building by putting beams under the machines and use d pipes to roll them out the doors so the crane could pick them. Worked well.
 
projectnut said:
Looking at several used machine dealer's websites the weight is listed as 1188 Kg. That translates to a little over 2,600 lbs.
Click to expand...
The spec sheet says 1000kg, or 2200 lbs. This has a hydraulic duplicator on it, but shouldn’t add 1000 lbs. The spec weight might be dry?
 
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