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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Apr 2017
    Location
    Geelong
    Posts
    27

    Default Lifting HM50 mill by the bed

    Im planning on brining home my new mill a hafco HM50 next week and trying to work out how to get it off the trailer.
    The crane I used for my lathe and previous mill won't lift high enough to sling the mill off the trailer, once its off the trailer I will have no issue moving it wiht other the crane or Pallet jack.
    I was thinking if I could make a lift plate and bolt it to the bed. (maybe take the head off the mill to make it less top heavy and lighter)
    However I can see that its a loading the the machine really isn't designed for. I was thinking of running second straps from the bed under the base of the machine in a futile attempt to distribute the load.
    I have seen heaps of mills lifted by the bed with fork lift, but I know its the wrong way to lift one.
    Recommendations? my last resort is to go down to the loan hire place and fork out for a small gantry for the day.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    Cockatoo Vic
    Posts
    84

    Default

    When moving my HM50, (away from Geelong in my case) I removed the whole top. Parting at the top of the column.

    Had no choice because unloading position had no head room for lifting off the trailer.

    Required separating some wiring. But not difficult at all

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Apr 2017
    Location
    Geelong
    Posts
    27

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Greolt View Post
    When moving my HM50, (away from Geelong in my case) I removed the whole top. Parting at the top of the column.

    Had no choice because unloading position had no head room for lifting off the trailer.

    Required separating some wiring. But not difficult at all
    With the whole top off how did you lift it? because obviously slinging it under the head/ram (not sure what its called) is the normal way to lift a knee mill

  4. #4
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    Cockatoo Vic
    Posts
    84

    Default

    While writing the above post I was trying to remember that. Afraid it is gone. The old brain leaks a bit.

    I do remember I also had to remove the bed as well, so as to get it all through a standard size door.

    That may have made a difference in how I lifted the base and column.

    EDIT:

    On thinking about it I most likely made some temporary lift point that bolted to the top of the column.

    Although I can't remember, that is the type of thing I would typically do.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jun 2004
    Location
    Kyabram. Vic
    Posts
    632

    Default

    With the HM50 is there not a round hole on either of the the column for a lifting bar to go through. The HM50 I had had this . The holes were covered by a very thin swivel plate.

    Be careful with too much weight on the ram as it is (or mine was) very soft cast and prone to cracking. This would include swiveling the head.

    Ken

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Apr 2017
    Location
    Geelong
    Posts
    27

    Default

    Hey Ken,
    Thanks for the input. When you say swiveling the head what exactly do you mean? what is the situation I should avoid?

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jun 2004
    Location
    Kyabram. Vic
    Posts
    632

    Default

    The head is clamped onto the end of the ram by several pinch bolts. There is a square (I think) stud on the side of the ram/or head that is a worm gear to swivel the head over to 90 degrees. My unit had a lot of play in this worm and gear which would allow the head to flop over when passed the point of balance. When lifting the head back to vertical you need to physically lift the heavy head whilst operating the the worm gear. Need 3 arms . It appears that the worm apparatus is too lightweight for the head. After use my mill displayed a crack in the casting in this area; out of warranty of course. Luckily I was able to plate the area as a fix.

    Ken

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    Australind , WA
    Age
    58
    Posts
    1,277

    Default

    Got access to a Forklift?
    I think that would make me more comfortable, moving a HM50.
    Got the access to get a forklift in?

    Steve

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Feb 2013
    Location
    Laidley, SE Qld
    Posts
    1,038

    Default

    Hafco will give you a price to deliver and unload your mill, weigh that against the costs and possible poor consequences of doing it yourself.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Apr 2017
    Location
    Geelong
    Posts
    27

    Default

    Thanks for the input everyone.
    The caution of various members has lead me to decide to rent a gantry for the day to unload.
    I will remove the ram and fit a lifting plate to the top of the coloum.
    once its on the ground we will shuffle it with a pallet jack.

    As an aside. Should i bring the table right up to the quill (with a wooden block in between) to support the head for the drive home? or any other recommendations for transporting a mill?

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    4,779

    Default

    Hi there,

    for transport, lowering the C of G as much as possible would be best. I would lower the table to it's lowest point. As others have said, you can also swivel the head so that it's upside down so that the motor is much lower.

    Also, you can adjust the ram by sliding it in or out so that it is reasonably balanced as well.

    When you look at how these things are made and the cutting forces they are designed to withstand, the occasional bump on the road while on a trailer with suspension will not hurt them. In any case, once you run some straps over it including the table, it will not jump or bounce anyway.

    Edit: I just re-read you post. You're removing the head so no need to tilt the head on the ram. You confused me when you asked if you should bring the table up to the quill. It won't have the quill fitted!

    I would still lower the knee (table) to it's lowest point. With the ram and head removed, you will have no issues with S of G. It will be very stable.

    Cheers,

    Simon
    Girl, I don't wanna know about your mild-mannered alter ego or anything like that." I mean, you tell me you're, uh, super-mega-ultra-lightning babe? That's all right with me. I'm good. I'm good.

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Apr 2017
    Location
    Geelong
    Posts
    27

    Default

    Sorry for the confusion.
    I was going to remove the ram when I got home, but transport it with it fitted.
    I will take tools with me too remove it if I need to when i see how it feels

  13. #13
    Join Date
    May 2012
    Location
    Oakleigh, Victoria
    Posts
    55

    Default

    I had a similar problem and took the wheels off my trailer to get it low enough to use an engine crane.

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Age
    56
    Posts
    1,416

    Default

    I moved the HM52 a few years back and had the same problem. I have a gantry but needed to unload in the shed with an engine crane.

    I removed the Allen head bolts for the swivel plate on top of the column and removed the complete ram and head with it.
    I took the switch off the head and wrote down the wiring connections wihen I disconnected the motor.

    I then wound the table back, used 2x long slings under the base in the forklift slots. There is no way they will slip out of there.
    I reversed the trailer in, lifted it 50mm and then removed the trailer.
    I have the thicker 2 ton version of engine crane.
    Using Tapatalk

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