Machinery Skates or Rollers

[bimmer1980]

I've been looking for a set of these machinery skates after having to move Roper Whitney Model 412 finger brake out of a building by sliding it on the floor--not fun....

I found this set of Machinery skates on craigslist for $10 each... The guy had 8 of them... Needless to say, I jumped all over that one....

I think they are rated for 5 tons each....

 

[dieselgarage]

That a deal even if they are wore out. We replace our roller/chain assemblies every few years. But we use them just about every day.

 

[rsanter]

holy cow...thats a you **** for sure
I would have bought them myself and I generally just use floor jacks to move equipment when I need to because I dont have to very often

bob

 

[A_Pmech]

You got hillman rollers for 10 each?

Oh, you defeintely ****. Be careful with them and remember: Three skates are safer than four!

 

[APEowner]

Very nice. I still prefer a fork lift but...

 

[My Junk is Stuff]

man! Huge score Great find. Those things are priceless.

 

[bimmer1980]

Yeah, I was quite surprised to find this deal..... I thought for sure they were gone when the guy took a day to respond.....

AP--Can you elaborate on why three skates are safer than four? Is it because you can steer with one skate and leave the other two straight? Versus trying to steer with two skates?

 

[A_Pmech]

Three points define a plane. Three points of contact fixed in space by a machine tool of semi-infinite rigidity will always conform to a plane of varying flatness within the limits of pitch and roll of the machine.

When you have more than three skates under a machine things get tricky if the floor isn't dead perfectly flat. As the floor surface changes, one or more skates can come loose and slip out from under the machine with obvious consequences.

The only thing you need to make now is a steering bar!

 

[lwlobo]

You got hillman rollers for 10 each?

Oh, you defeintely ****. Be careful with them and remember: Three skates are safer than four!

Very nice find. A bargain at 5X the cost.

Regarding the number of skates, it really depends on the size, shape, and stiffness of a machine. For smaller, stiffer equipment (e.g. machine tools), three is great, if there are three suitable places to put the skates. A lot of equipment will need more support than that, otherwise you risk bending, dragging, or tipping.

I love watching professional riggers work. Everything is done slowly, efficiently, and with a purpose. I remember one of the riggers telling an engineer who had just asked how high they could lift a big molding machine. "Well, we could put in on the roof if you want, but we'd have to go back to the shop to get some more wood blocks."