How do you move a Bridgeport Mill?

[orangefj45]

i have a very similar bridgeport mill at home.........

when i had to move it from the small shop it was in, i rented a tandem axle lowboy utility trailer that was roughly 10 feet long ( cargo area ). i then used a bunch of 2" dom .250" wall tubing to roll the mill around and towards the trailer, tilted the bed of the trailer down, hooked onto the mill with the come-along and dragged it into the trailer. tied it down with a few ratchet straps and transported it to the house 100 miles away. unloading it was a little more difficult cause my driveway is pretty steep and the garage door isn't very tall. but i got it outta there and set up just fine.

they are very top-heavy, so be careful. i'd recommend renting a low deck trailer. you could use some 2x4s and create a "runway" for the mill and go for the egyptian technique. a couple of 2x4s and a prybar will allow you to get the rollers under the unit. then tow it out with a truck, winch, come-along, 12 donkeys,......

take some pics, just make sure you don't end up getting a darwin award for your efforts.

 

[fj40charles]

I bought a forklift to move mine. If you don't want to do that you can rent one for a day for around $200 or hire a professional mover to move it.

Don't be stupid and cheap when it comes to moving heavy equipment. One wrong move and you'll be dead or badly injured.

 

[e9999]

yup, as an aside, one easy way to move very heavy objects with flat bottoms is to use skinny solid steel rods. As in 1/2" or so. Not too hard to get under somehow, and cheap.

 

[nat]

Ok, I get to see the mill and its location tomorrow at 10am. Then I will head back there later, maybe Sunday, and pick it up.

The plan so far:

Rent a truck with a lift gate that will handle 2000lbs. That is $60 per day from Penske for a 20' truck.

It sounds like I can back the truck up to the entrance of the shed.

Use digging bars and fulcrums and get some sort of pipe underneath.

Roll it forward onto the lift gate, lift up into truck.

Roll it onto the bed and tie it off very good.

Drive the 12 miles back to my folks house and unload.

 

[fj40charles]

and cheap.

This must be the most important factor for you. Going cheap is never good when safety is involved.

 

[fj40charles]

Ok, I get to see the mill and its location tomorrow at 10am. Then I will head back there later, maybe Sunday, and pick it up.

The plan so far:

Rent a truck with a lift gate that will handle 2000lbs. That is $60 per day from Penske for a 20' truck.

It sounds like I can back the truck up to the entrance of the shed.

Use digging bars and fulcrums and get some sort of pipe underneath.

Roll it forward onto the lift gate, lift up into truck.

Roll it onto the bed and tie it off very good.

Drive the 12 miles back to my folks house and unload.

Bring some some friends and lots of heavy duty straps, 4"x4" wood, 2"x6", etc. You'll need them.

 

[agomez]

I may get a free Bridgeport mill and will need to move it. It is in a backyard with brick walkways.

How do you roll it around? How do you get it in a truck?

I am thinking I may remove the head and crossslides. I suppose the old "Egyptian Roll" could be used.

I am not sure if its mine yet, if this other guy does not want it, then I score It comes with a 3phase to single phase converter too.

how did the owner get it in the back yard?

 

[nat]

how did the owner get it in the back yard?

From what I hear, it was done in the 80's sometime. They used a chain hoist attached to a cherry tree

 

[nat]

Good news!

My parents neighbor has a friend who moves industrial refrigerators, he has some dollies and a real Johnson Bar. Looks like we can borrow them.

 

[LukeZero]

Good news!

My parents neighbor has a friend who moves industrial refrigerators, he has some dollies and a real Johnson Bar. Looks like we can borrow them.

Nat- if you don't have a real Johnson- you can always borrow one.


Be safe and good luck.

Luke

 

[Dirtsquirt]

Good to hear

That you wont have to transport it across the brick walkway.
you would never have rolled on pipes across that.

I have moved many bridgeports. I work in a machine shop.
A couple of 5/8 to 3/4 steel rods work well for rolling.
Pipe works but has a tendency to crush under the weight.

The most important thing I tell you other than be safe, is
The Table is not a handle (EVER) Gibs and straps are breakable
if you ruin a gib by tugging or pushing on the Table you will be sad
New gibs on a bridgeport have to hand shaved to fit by a professional. That is a lost art and you could end up paying someone to fly in to do it.

Any good luck and Remember the table isnt a handle

 

[e9999]

This must be the most important factor for you. Going cheap is never good when safety is involved.

WTH?
solid rods are safer compared to pipe and likely to many dollies too. If you can get a safer approach for a few bucks, that's bad?

 

[fj40charles]

WTH?
solid rods are safer compared to pipe and likely to many dollies too. If you can get a safer approach for a few bucks, that's bad?

This was directed at YOU. Your many posts have proven to me that being CHEAP is the only policy for some people. How much did it cost you to fix up that "free" weed eater and how much of D'animal's time did you waste trying to fix it?

 

[nat]

Success!

It got moved and is in place

 

[informationjunky]

Congrats....I didn't see this till now. Would have sugested fo find a good tow truck driver.

 

[titanpat57]

Nat- if you don't have a real Johnson- you can always borrow one.


Be safe and good luck.

Luke

I don't care who you are.....that's funny !............