imported_brian_m
Cast Iron
- Joined
- Jun 25, 2006
- Location
- Oregon
I work in my shop alone and I am going to be rearranging and replacing the machines in the shop. Since the machines will be moved as the need arises and since they are not really big machines (max 6,000lb lathe) bringing in a rigging crew for every move is not practical. I can get muscle for the pulling and pushing but the planning and setup for each move will be done by me.
I am thinking that I can use a Jet 8,000 pallet jack to move some of the equipment directly (the medium sized bed mills, around 3,500 lbs) and to act as a steerable machine skate under the spindle end of the lathes (machine max. weight 6,000 lbs). The floor of my shop is dead smooth and level concrete. I would rather not use skates with inexpert help to look out for trouble.
The plan for the mills would be to raise them on the pallet jack and gently rotate them to the required direction of travel. Then the mills would be moved forward with the height of the pallet jack carefully adjusted so that I can position a 10foot 4x4 under the outer edges of the base with about 1/4inch clearance as the machine is moved. It would not work very well to fasten the 4x4s onto the base because of turning restrictions. I am in absolutely no hurry and the moves will only be about 30 feet.
The lathes basically need to be rotated in position before being pushed backwards a short distance into their new position. I am thinking of putting the pallet jack under the spindle end and then putting the tailstock end on a firm series of blocks to match the spindle end height. The tailstock end would rest on two greased metal plates to make a rotary bearing. Then I simply?? pull the pallet jack to rotate the lathes around the tailstock. Once again, no rush.
Do you think this will work or should I just take a long cold shower?
Thanks, Brian
I am thinking that I can use a Jet 8,000 pallet jack to move some of the equipment directly (the medium sized bed mills, around 3,500 lbs) and to act as a steerable machine skate under the spindle end of the lathes (machine max. weight 6,000 lbs). The floor of my shop is dead smooth and level concrete. I would rather not use skates with inexpert help to look out for trouble.
The plan for the mills would be to raise them on the pallet jack and gently rotate them to the required direction of travel. Then the mills would be moved forward with the height of the pallet jack carefully adjusted so that I can position a 10foot 4x4 under the outer edges of the base with about 1/4inch clearance as the machine is moved. It would not work very well to fasten the 4x4s onto the base because of turning restrictions. I am in absolutely no hurry and the moves will only be about 30 feet.
The lathes basically need to be rotated in position before being pushed backwards a short distance into their new position. I am thinking of putting the pallet jack under the spindle end and then putting the tailstock end on a firm series of blocks to match the spindle end height. The tailstock end would rest on two greased metal plates to make a rotary bearing. Then I simply?? pull the pallet jack to rotate the lathes around the tailstock. Once again, no rush.
Do you think this will work or should I just take a long cold shower?
Thanks, Brian