Moving a lathe

[d65]

I’ve got a chance to pick up a 400 lathe. I am 65 and unable to move it due to age.  What do you all recommend I do ? Distance is about 50 miles.

Thxs

[EdK]

(03-15-2020, 08:09 PM)d65 Wrote: I’ve got a chance to pick up a 400 lathe. I am 65 and unable to move it due to age.  What do you all recommend I do ? Distance is about 50 miles.

Thxs

Please clarify what a "400 lathe" is.

Ed

[d65]

It’s a Sheldon late that a machine shop. is selling. It weighs about 400lbs.

[Dr Stan]

(03-15-2020, 10:10 PM)d65 Wrote: It’s a Sheldon late that a machine shop. is selling. It weighs about 400lbs.

rent or buy an engine hoist along with a load leveler for unloading  the shop should have a forklift to load it

Do you have a pick up or a friend with one?  Another option would be to rent a trailer.  Get an open sided one such as this:  https://www.uhaul.com/Trailers/4x7-Utili...Rental/FS/

If you use chains to lift the lathe make sure you pad them to avoid damaging the lathe, especially any machined surfaces.  Another option is to use nylon lifting straps.

Do you have any experience moving heavy objects?  If not, get help from someone who does.  Even 400 lbs will leave quite a mark on one's body if you make a serious mistake.

I'm 65 and just moved a 6000 lb milling machine which included a little oops.  Fortunately no one nor anything was damaged.  I have moved much heavier items successfully.

[Vinny]

Try to piece out the heavy bits.  When we moved my Logan 200, I took the tailstock off, motor, legs, pan, backsplash was already off.  In the end, the motor assy was the heaviest.  Fortunately my son showed up when it was time to unload that.  The entire move was uneventful.  Oh, and doing it that way I didn't need the truck or a trailer.  Moved it in my Durango!

[d65]

Social distancing and self quarantine have shut this deal down

[Vinny]

Bummer. Hopefully it'll still be available when this stuff is over.

[toglhot]

I've moved a number of lathes by myself, with psoriatic arthritis affecting my fingers, wrists, forearms, elbows, shoulders means I'm unable to lift much more than a few kgs. I take the things apart: Tailstock, carriage gearbox, headstock. Also gives you a chance to inspect and familiarise yourself with the workings. I even had to take a geared headstock apart as it was just too heavy. Beds are easy as they can be moved by using a trolley. Other heavy parts I wrap a rope around my neck and attach to the part to be moved.

[Mike E.]

A little late replying to this post, but here's how I moved my 600+ lb. Boxford lathe.
 
First, I removed the tailstock, carriage and chuck. Next I used a couple of 2" x 12" planks as a ramp, blocking it up for additional support where I felt it was needed; and had help to roll the lathe up the planks on pipe and into my van.

To remove it from the van I arranged for a forklift and then installed a couple of wood beams under the lathe bed so I could lift it out. It would have been much easier to have used a trailer than the van, but I didn't have the option at the time.
.

[Dr Stan]

(03-16-2020, 03:20 PM)d65 Wrote: Social distancing and self quarantine have shut this deal down

Have you checked to see if the deal can be restarted?