Thanks Thermite.
It's interesting, I noticed the auction the day before, and started checking things out, online.
There was very little interest in the Supermax, so I threw a bid in there, thinking I couldn't go wrong. There was an authentic BP that went over $4,000 !
I didn't really know what I was getting into. Reading about it online, I could see it was "more machine" than a BP.
There was no rigger at the auction, so I figured I'd get the nearby Sunbelt to drop a fork lift off for me. No chance, nothing available anywhere.
The auctioneer said there was a scrap guy there with a 5,000 lb lift, so I thought fine.
Looking at the lift alongside the Supermax, I thought "I'm not sure about this". Maybe 5k at 24", but I really doubted it!
Another guy there with a big Takeuchi rubber track loader; this looked better. The guy said over 5k rating; OK let's go.
The Supermax is a very heavy machine, and the Tak really struggled to lift it 18" to get it on the trailer ! The strap broke, rated at 10k, because of a fairly sharp corner; luckily no-one hurt and no damage when it dropped about 4".
So on the trailer, up against one side because we couldn't move it to the middle. All good, well OK at least.
Got it home, and a buddy, Casey, with a big New Holland rubber track loader "was invited to try to unload it." He said no problem as his machine rated over 5k; I've heard this before!
Well, we pulled it to the end of the trailer and got his forks under the arm, on wooden blocks, of course. Well, at 6 feet high, he doesn't have over 5k of lift. The back of the machine was starting to come off the ground, and he was running out of hydraulic power. Not good, and not safe !
A neighbor, Wade, is an old time forestry guy with an old Ford tractor with a front end loader. We thought maybe the 2 machines could share the lift. Well Wade figured I can get this it we chain it to one of the cross-members on the loader to get it as close as possible. Then of course no traction on the 2WD tractor. So Casey said I'll put a bit more load on the concrete counterbalance with my machine; not a pretty sight.
Wade "did get it."
Rob pulled the trailer clear and Wade lowered it closer to the ground, and the dog started barking with excitement !
Wade turned to the left a little to move towards the barn. Well these old Ford tractors, like most tractors, have a pivoting front axle. So when he turned the weight shifted a little, due to the slight side slope, and the axle started to pivot, and Wade, being a little deaf, didn't hear Casey yelling as his forks slipped on the concrete ballast weight - not good. So luckily Wade saw the frantic signals from me and Rob, and put the load down. Tractor could easily have turned over with the load high.
Wade's response was it would be better if a couple guys sat on the concrete weight, "that'll keep the back down so I can get some traction". NO VOLUNTEERS !
Maybe it would have been a good idea to put some shims on the front axle to stop it pivoting. But a better idea was to stop this nonsense.
At least we got it off the trailer.
So once again, no equipment available to rent. Had to wait until yesterday to get a Genie Telehandler, with a 5,500 lb rating at 24", all I could find.
Picked it up easily as we could get it really close to the machine, and got it in the shop just fine. Only cost $325 for the day. A great deal !
This is all true ! No photos, but it really did happen, just like this.
I don't like moving tall machines, I'd rather skid and jack more stable machines like lathes. And machine ratings can be deceiving.
I was planning to put a gantry up outside my shop doors to be more convenient, and independent. The shop ceiling is only 10 ft, So I'll make the gantry 13 ft clearance. I found a 10k chain hoist which is about 3 ft "high" at full height. Should be installing next week.
Please don't give me too much grief, as we thought we were within the machine ratings.
Bob