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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Aug 2016
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    Adelaide
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    Default Moving a 2000kg machine

    Anyone have any experience with moving a heavy milling machine, say around 2000kg? Or experience with companies that do that sort of thing in Adelaide?

    Probably be feasible to get it on a trailer at it's current location, but I don't know how I would get it off at my place safely. I guess even getting it on a trailer (over the axles) by lifting it on a pallet could be a challenge?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    May 2019
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    Picnic Point, Sydney
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    77
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    Look up crane truck hire on Gumtree. They can pick up & drop off if there's access but for that weight you'll need professionals to move it to your position once delivered. Mind you, I'd talk to them first because they would probably want to do the whole job themselves.

  3. #3
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    Aug 2008
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    Charlestown NSW
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    65
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    Default

    Depending on your $, a crane truck would be the easiest. However, if you are on a budget (like most of us) and decide to move it your self, then it might be safer to pull a few bits off to reduce the weight of what you are dealing with. Kennards Hire have gantries that pretty good. I used one a couple of years ago to move my mill (which is only 1000Kg) from the garage under the house to the shed up the back yard. I'd pulled the head and the table off it first which made it a lot easier to handle. Used the gantry to lift the main body high enough to back the trailer under, relocated the gantry up the back yard to outside the shed, then backed the trailer up the yard under the gantry. Lifted mill off onto a couple of flat top dollies and just pushed it though the door. My shed only has a hinged door about 1200 wide so the table had to come off the mill to get it through the door. Only took three of us a couple of hours. Nothing like what some of the Yanks do getting machinery into basements.
    peter

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Oct 2011
    Location
    Norwood-ish, Adelaide
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    59
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    6,541

    Default

    I put a stand that I could get a pallet jack under on my mill before it was moved (used the O/H crane at work to lift it) and then got a tail gate taxi truck with pallet jack to deliver and position for me.

    Michael

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Athelstone, SA 5076
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    4,255

    Default

    That chiller (or those if the old York is still there) in the plant room was/were placed there by Nicks Cranes. Used them many times.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Apr 2018
    Location
    Drouin Vic
    Posts
    633

    Default

    I had my mill lifted onto my tandem trailer with a forklift by the seller, having it on the trailer was useful for cleaning the decades of gunk; then I paid $330 for a crane truck operator (minimum charge) to come out to my place and lift it off, I just didn't have anything that would lift even the main assembly after removing the sub-assemblies. I realised afterwards that I could have built a good gantry for the $300 and I'd still have the gantry. If you're anywhere near a company that has a forklift you might be able to convince someone to drive their fork to you to unload for a slab or similar.
    Loading into the middle of your trailer with a forklift shouldn't be a problem, the pallet can be pushed with the forks.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    May 2019
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    Picnic Point, Sydney
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    77
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    Default

    This machine is around 2000kg so way too heavy for most trailers. Just the main body stripped of most parts is still too heavy for all but the strongest tandem trailer.

    That size machine is a job for a machinery removal company unless a truck with Hiab can pick up & drop it in position. Even then you need an operator who understands rigging.

    Watching a machine fall while being moved & men running for their lives is not something I want to see again. Spend some money & be safe.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Murray Bridge S Aust.
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    71
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    5,943

    Default

    Where abouts in Adelaide are you, and where does the machine need to be picked up from?
    This bloke is based in Murray Bridge and have used him for shifting several large pieces of machinery.
    Crane Hire Murray Bridge - Buddle Material Handling
    Kryn
    To grow old is mandatory, growing up is optional.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Apr 2015
    Location
    Tungkillo, South Australia
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    87
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    74

    Default

    I used an Adelaide bloke with a big crane on a big lorry to ship my ~ 2500Kg Surface Grinder up to my shed in Tungkillo (the other side of Birdwood an the road to Mannum). He did a good job but wanted $400 cash so be prepared.
    Of course, being over a year ago, I can't remember his details but he advertised on Gumtree.

    20180302_093049_12.jpg

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Feb 2013
    Location
    Laidley, SE Qld
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    1,038

    Default

    In Brisbane Hafpos use (or used to 10 years ago) these guys for machinery deliveries. Home - Websters Transport Brisbane
    There has to be an equivalent organisation down your way, play safe, pay the money.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Location
    Syd
    Posts
    492

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    Probably looking at close to 3t towing capacity of the tow vehicle with a trailer capable of taking the weight. I'd want to be sure the thing was within limits to avoid the usual grey nomad caravan style accident, where the insurer can decline coverage due to overload, also a good brake set-up on the trailer if attempting DIY.

    Depending on the style of mill, might want to look at blocking the table.

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Aug 2015
    Location
    QLD
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    735

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by monchochos View Post
    Anyone have any experience with moving a heavy milling machine, say around 2000kg? Or experience with companies that do that sort of thing in Adelaide?

    Probably be feasible to get it on a trailer at it's current location, but I don't know how I would get it off at my place safely. I guess even getting it on a trailer (over the axles) by lifting it on a pallet could be a challenge?
    Got some photos of the mill ?





    .

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Aug 2016
    Location
    Adelaide
    Posts
    80

    Default

    Thanks for the suggestions. I’m inclined to get a professional to do the move since I would need a fork or crane to unload it anyway. I haven’t bought the mill, just considering it and trying to get an idea of the full cost of ownership. The mill is in Melrose Park and I’m in flinders park so the move would be < 15km. Will contact some movers to find out cost. A smaller/ lighter mill would be better for my workshop anyway.

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Apr 2015
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    Tungkillo, South Australia
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    87
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    74

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by monchochos View Post
    T............... A smaller/ lighter mill would be better for my workshop anyway.
    I suspect that a smaller/lighter mill will disappoint at some stage and you will (might) regret not getting a bigger one!

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