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Thread: Moving a Thicknesser/Planer
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1st January 2023, 03:49 PM #1Member
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Moving a Thicknesser/Planer
I have seen a trick for moving a heavy thicknesser where one or two (same height) lengths of timber are placed through the thicknesser, and that table raised to clamp the timber. These are then used as lifting aids. I have a PT-254S thicknesser planer coming from Machinery House, and want to be ready to lift it off the pallet and into my garage workshop. The machine weighs 180Kg — a little less after I remove the fence and tools etc. It's one of those combination machines where the planer/jointer tables hinge up out of the way when using the thicknesser, so I'd be reluctant to lift the machine by the upper tables which would stress the hinges, and maybe more significantly, the catches that hold the front of the tables. Does this sound like a plan? It's going to put the weight of the machine on the cutting head and feed rollers, but if I use pine it will spread that load.
My plan is to slide the machine off the pallet and onto two blocks that I have made which are pallet height. Then tilt the machine enough to slide the pallet out, and lower it onto shorter blocks etc. Or just lift it onto the ground. I'll get some lads from my Menz Shed to come help me.
I know I should be saying 'She'll be right', hang some Number 8 wire from sky hooks and stop stressing, but 400lbs sounds like enough to cause problems if it goes pear-shaped. We manhandled this lathe into our Menz Shed workshop with four people and it is the same weight, but I remember that being a bit sketchy. We had two lengths of 25mm cold rolled bar under the bed, and when one end got a bit higher than the other, it started sliding on the bars. Fortunately, it was not far from the ground and no one got hurt.
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1st January 2023, 04:20 PM #2SENIOR MEMBER
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Your trick can be used to add additional leverage to manoeuvre the machine off the pallet, i wouldn't use it to actually lift the machine.
Id also recommended shifting it directly onto a mobile base even if you never require it to be mobile. A mobile base will allow you to manouvre it into position easily.
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1st January 2023, 05:17 PM #3SENIOR MEMBER
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Do you have access to an engine hoist? neighbour? if not you can consider buying one... you will need it again in future.
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1st January 2023, 07:10 PM #4Senior Member
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I can second Albert's suggestion of an engine crane.
I used one to get my planer/thicky (hammer A3 300kg+) safely setup with it's wheel kit and off the double pallet that it arrived on by myself.
There were several warnings in the manual not to lift by the table.
I've since used it to other heavy things around, just recently to put the very heavy head on a full size drill press column.
The one I have is just a super cheap generic that was on special.
If on a single pallet you can also use rolling jacks (did that with my panel saw) or a pallet jack and makeshift ramp.
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1st January 2023, 08:47 PM #5Member
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I like the idea of an engine hoist, but have nowhere to store it. I am sure I could hire one though, and that might be the way to go. Machinery House have a mobile base for the larger 12" machine, but it doesn't fit the one I have ordered. Rather than cut and shut and end up I intend making my own. There are three sets of tapped mounting holes in the case that I hope to use. Ideally I'd use jacking casters if I could find them in an appropriate size. Workbench casters would do at a pinch, (they are rated at 660lb) but the front caster might stick out too far. I guess I could make a bracket to mount the front caster (or all three) at 90°, or I could do it properly and make an angle iron frame. In fact I would have to do that if using workbench casters as I'd need to use all four to be inside the load spec. That would also get all four casters at the ends out of the way.
Mounting Holes.jpg
300Kg is getting seriously heavy and I wouldn't even think about moving a machine that heavy without proper lifting equipment. I am thinking that my plan now is to assess it when it arrives, and have a trailer ready to hire an engine crane. Hey, I wonder if any of my Menz Shed buddies have a mobile crane. I just looked and you can by a 2000Kg folding crane for NZ$333. It so often happens that discussing a problem throws up ideas, and have some things to think about now, so thanks lads.
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2nd January 2023, 01:55 AM #6
The main tool I learned to use for shifting machinery was one of these.
Cyclone Fencing Bar Hexagonal 1650 x 25mm | Mitre 10
I did heat the end and put a bend in my ones though, just like the guy who showed me had in his . A straight one would work but the bent end is better for working in tighter spaces. And the bend gives it a heel to pivot on which is how you can shift things very easily. I have two bars with three bent ends of differing angles and one straight bar which is for fencing but also gets used shifting machines. The straight bar will work with the leverage it gives but it will have to rest on a block and be just about parallel with the floor
With one bar, shifting 1 ton machines is no problem. The other day I took a 1 ton machine off a pallet by walking it or levering it across onto two square lengths of timber that matched the pallet height . I then altered the first pallet to be lower which was the reason I was doing this. Making a lower pallet that the machine lives on that gets moved with my pallet jack. After the pallet was adjusted I shifted the machine back on .
The same can be done shifting it off onto two lengths of wood and then lowering it down to the ground in steps. A pair of wedges come in handy as well . Steel log splitting wedges are good or just timber wedges will do.
Using bars and one or two men helping I shifted 30 machines when I moved workshop. All out and onto a trailer and off at the other end using the bars winches block and tackle and only rarely lifting them off the ground with a gantry and block and tackle. I mainly do that when taking something off the back of the ute or the trailer . More often for the trailer I use pallet jack and ramps if I can .
I did start using an engine hoist when I first started buying larger heavier machinery and it works good sometimes but plenty of taller machines means it cant be used safely. The feet on them get in the way as well.
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2nd January 2023, 08:29 AM #7SENIOR MEMBER
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Most of these combo machines have designated lift points I wouldn't lift them from the tables.
As for mobile bases and some unloading tips, check out this video. The Woodpecker Ep 239 - Installation and first impressions on my new Minimax FS30 - YouTube
The wheels he uses are Zambus carrymaster AC300.
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