Picking up my lift

[Al B]

Hi all,
Does anyone remember a post that described picking up a lift from the terminal? I remember that they used a rented trailer, but not much more. I got a phone call that my lift will be delievered to the depo on tuesday, I need to figure out how to get it home. Other than a rented trailer, anyother ideas?
Thanks

 

[I can fix anything]

I sent a tow truck after mine.

 

[rwhite692]

What is the aversion / obstacle that is preventing you from simply renting a car trailer for the day? Probably 60-70 bucks will get it done...

The freight terminal (using forklift) will be able to place the bundled lift on the trailer for you. Your challenge is getting everything off of the trailer, once you get home.

Car trailers work well for this job, since the load will be low enough for you to unload all of the pieces with an engine hoist or similar, once you get home. Call up some friends to help, and have the beer ready! (I unloaded mine working alone...not fun!)

If you were to borrow or rent, say, a flatbed truck, then, once you get home you are looking at unloading all of those parts from a height of around 3 feet, at least...not ideal.

 

[I can fix anything]

Flatbed tow truck dropped right into my bay for $50. the only effort I had to put out was a phone call.

 

[rwhite692]

Flatbed tow truck dropped right into my bay for $50. the only effort I had to put out was a phone call.

Can't beat that!

 

[Dolfan]

Here is the link to the entire thread on the mid-rise lift transport/install/use that I did a few months back.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=67229

 

[I can fix anything]

Here is the link to the entire thread on the mid-rise lift transport/install/use that I did a few months back.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=67229

Two guys can pick that up right. I talking for a full size bendpac, what kind of lift are you getting?

 

[ket-tek]

I just went to the terminal to check the invoices and boxes for damage, and signed off on it with the warehouse manager and told him to expect a tow truck to come get them.

They put it on the flatbed with a forklift and when the tow truck arrived he backed halfway into the garage and slid it off right into the bay. I put metal car dollies under each end of the lift as he slid it off, so that after he left I could easily roll the package around in the garage to orient it for unpacking where I needed the it.

I was gonna rent a trailer, but the tow was cheaper and obviously way easier.

(the first small time tow place I called said they couldn't do it because it wasn't a car and they weren't insured for it, the next tow place I called was to a big company and they said they have moved lifts, generators, and various large equipment/machinery alot no problem.)

 

[Grigg]

The freight terminal (using forklift) will be able to place the bundled lift on the trailer for you...

I know this is already done, but for those who plan to pick something up at a freight terminal call ahead to be sure they can load it on your trailer, they may not be able to.

A few years ago we went with a normal car trailer to pick up a big wood working machine at a freight terminal, it weighed a few thousand pounds.
Come to find out they had no way of getting a forklift on the ground (parking lot level) to load the trailer from the side. All they could do was load a trailer from the end if you backed up to the door at a 40 some inch loading dock. Only way to get a forklift on the ground would have been to rent a roll-back truck.
In the end they used a pipe they had slipped over the fork for moving rolls of carpet and we slung the machine from it and cautiously stuck it out the door and on the trailer.

Call and run your plan by the shipping terminal folks before you get there, better safe than frustrated.

Grigg

 

[saabman]

Here is a link to the thread where I describe picking up mine. In Short used my car trailer with some pipes to faciltate getting it off the trailer when I got it home.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=45437

 

[tdkkart]

I know this is already done, but for those who plan to pick something up at a freight terminal call ahead to be sure they can load it on your trailer, they may not be able to.

A few years ago we went with a normal car trailer to pick up a big wood working machine at a freight terminal, it weighed a few thousand pounds.
Come to find out they had no way of getting a forklift on the ground (parking lot level) to load the trailer from the side. All they could do was load a trailer from the end if you backed up to the door at a 40 some inch loading dock. Only way to get a forklift on the ground would have been to rent a roll-back truck.

This is the way at least one of my local terminals is, they have a forklift, but
can't get it on the ground to load a low trailer, only dock height trucks or trailers.

 

[e-tek]

Flatdeck tow truck sounds easy enough - I'd do that if I had to.
I have a BP HD9-XTW. I told the shipper I was a business (E-tek Restorations! )) and they delivered it to my shop address. Called a few freinds over, jumped up on the truck, unbolted the package and had the boys unload it.

 

[JOHNMAN]

I don't envy you.

I still remember moving here.

I brought my lift with me. Damn those things are heavy. Mine, an asymmetrical 2-post 7000# Rotary Lift, was a bear to lift and load into my enclosed trailer. I got it done one post at a time. Lots of cribbing, pry bars, and a 4-wheel cart let me roll the parts on and off the trailer. My engine crane helped me take the posts down and stand them back up. (I took it down moved it and re-installed it alone.)

My advice is to get help. Lots of help.

Good advice about talking to the freight terminal in advance. If they know what you are bringing and when you will arrive, it may save time as they may be able to be ready for you.

 

[Dolfan]

Two guys can pick that up right. I talking for a full size bendpac, what kind of lift are you getting?

Two guys pick it up The shipping weight was about 1050#, so I think the answer to that is NO!

 

[Al B]

Two guys can pick that up right. I talking for a full size bendpac, what kind of lift are you getting?

It is a HD-9XW

Flatbed tow truck dropped right into my bay for $50. the only effort I had to put out was a phone call.

I wish $50. The closest depo is 60 miles away.

What is the aversion / obstacle that is preventing you from simply renting a car trailer for the day? Probably 60-70 bucks will get it done...
It is 60 miles away, but I guess it is worth a phone call.

The freight terminal (using forklift) will be able to place the bundled lift on the trailer for you. Your challenge is getting everything off of the trailer, once you get home.
That is what I was thinking. Did you have any issues because there was no floor? There is ony the tire rails.

Car trailers work well for this job, since the load will be low enough for you to unload all of the pieces with an engine hoist or similar, once you get home. Call up some friends to help, and have the beer ready! (I unloaded mine working alone...not fun!)
I have one friend ready and waiting. It is not easy to get people on a Wensday.

If you were to borrow or rent, say, a flatbed truck, then, once you get home you are looking at unloading all of those parts from a height of around 3 feet, at least...not ideal.

Flatdeck tow truck sounds easy enough - I'd do that if I had to.
I have a BP HD9-XTW. I told the shipper I was a business (E-tek Restorations! )) and they delivered it to my shop address. Called a few freinds over, jumped up on the truck, unbolted the package and had the boys unload it.

I tried that. They made it clear that I must have a fork lift avaible to un load it. I guess it depends on the carrier.

 

[Al B]

What is the aversion / obstacle that is preventing you from simply renting a car trailer for the day? Probably 60-70 bucks will get it done...

The freight terminal (using forklift) will be able to place the bundled lift on the trailer for you. Your challenge is getting everything off of the trailer, once you get home.

Car trailers work well for this job, since the load will be low enough for you to unload all of the pieces with an engine hoist or similar, once you get home. Call up some friends to help, and have the beer ready! (I unloaded mine working alone...not fun!)

If you were to borrow or rent, say, a flatbed truck, then, once you get home you are looking at unloading all of those parts from a height of around 3 feet, at least...not ideal.

It is 60 miles away, but I guess it is worth a phone call

 

[juiced10]

I loaded my 2 post into my E-350 extended van at my work with a fork lift .Put one end in the van carefully set it down and went to the other side picked it up and slid it in.When I got home I carefully slide it out of the van using my tractor.Again I pulled it out until the one end could be set on the ground and then went as close to the other end that was still in the van and picked it up then drove the van away.I then set it down on heavy duty dollies to move it into my shop.I installed the lift myself without any issues.

 

[ket-tek]

It is 60 miles away, but I guess it is worth a phone call

Another option if you happen to have a friend who works at a business closer to you that has a loading dock or fork lift you could have it delivered there then get the tow truck to bring it to you..

If you have the truck to pull it then renting a car trailer may be the cheaper thing to do then.

 

[gorilla]

You may be able to cut a deal with a local rigging company to accept delivery of your lift to their yard and then move it to your garage and do the install for you. I've done this many times with large equipment rather than have a crane and a rigging crew wait for a truck at the site. This may cost more $ than you want to spend but those $ may solve a lot of problems for you.

 

[Kev442]

Stories like these remind why I swung by the store while in Indiana for business with my trailer!

 

[LWW]

A car trailer is a perfect "multi-purpose" tool for something like this. I've used mine several times to move large loads in addition to haul my cars around when they can't move under their own power and to get my unregistered race car to the track and back.

Of course, that implies you have someplace to store it when not in use...

 

[rwhite692]

Well Al B, Tuesday has pretty much come and gone...So how did it go?

 

[Al B]

Another option if you happen to have a friend who works at a business closer to you that has a loading dock or fork lift you could have it delivered there then get the tow truck to bring it to you..

If you have the truck to pull it then renting a car trailer may be the cheaper thing to do then.

No such luck. The only friends I have with an accessible loading dock is father away than the depot.

You may be able to cut a deal with a local rigging company to accept delivery of your lift to their yard and then move it to your garage and do the install for you. I've done this many times with large equipment rather than have a crane and a rigging crew wait for a truck at the site. This may cost more $ than you want to spend but those $ may solve a lot of problems for you.

Good idea, but I do not know of any near my home.

A car trailer is a perfect "multi-purpose" tool for something like this. I've used mine several times to move large loads in addition to haul my cars around when they can't move under their own power and to get my unregistered race car to the track and back.

Of course, that implies you have someplace to store it when not in use...

I made the decision to buy an enclosed car trailer several years ago. It allowed me to move around car projects as well as store them in a dry setting. I am afraid that the weight of the fork lift and the lift itself would crush the door/ramp. That is if there is a way to load it from the back, which I do not think is possible.

Well Al B, Tuesday has pretty much come and gone...So how did it go?

After many phone calls I found a tow company that will pick it up with a flatbed for under $200. I will make the calls this morning and cross my fingers. It gives me an uneasy feeling doing it this way, but it makes the most sense. I will let everyone know later today how it went.
Thanks to everyone who posted ideas. It was a great help
Al

 

[Al B]

It is done. All went great. Tanks Again to everyone. The tow truck ended up being $196. Not to bad. They were at my house at 12:30, had it un-loaded by 1:00, and I had it taken apart and in the garage before 2:00.

 

[Al B]

Last few pictures

Now I need to put it together.

 

[ket-tek]

Nice, glad it worked out for you..

Now the fun part starts. I did an XW 100% alone and an ST with two friends... It was a chore to do alone, but I loved every minute of it.

I used Junkman's install tread for some guidance, and the single best tip I got from that was to lay 2 columns down and slide the crosstube all the way in and then tip them up. The manual says to lift the crosstube up and put it down in the posts from above, that would be crazy to attempt especially with an XW that has taller posts.

In case you have not seen it already:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=23456

 

[rwhite692]

That's great Al, a little $$$ spent, but a lot less hassle.

 

[Al B]

Nice, glad it worked out for you..

Now the fun part starts. I did an XW 100% alone and an ST with two friends... It was a chore to do alone, but I loved every minute of it.

I used Junkman's install tread for some guidance, and the single best tip I got from that was to lay 2 columns down and slide the crosstube all the way in and then tip them up. The manual says to lift the crosstube up and put it down in the posts from above, that would be crazy to attempt especially with an XW that has taller posts.

In case you have not seen it already:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=23456

Thanks. Junkman's tread will help a lot. I just need a new ram for my engine hoist and i am ready to go.