Shipping oversized items [BIG]

[BBD]

Evening lads,

I literally burnt my head off searching for ways of crating and sending an item which looks like this:

There are no eye hooks for crane loading and unloading. The thing weighs almost 500Kg and its footprint is 3 by 1 meters.

A pallet would hold, but I am not sure about the structure.

 

[rockwithjason]

You should fully crate it. Build a platform out of 4x4 lumber and cover it with plywood. Then use 2x4 lumber and plywood to build the sides. Use plywood for the lid

 

[larry_g]

Here in the states I would contact a rigging and crating company. I would suggest that you build a custom skid and block it up on foam risers to absorb shock and carry it so the wheels are suspended. Depending on shipping methods you may want to fully crate the machine. As far as picking it up it should be able to be picked up with a fork lift.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[Paul1956]

The Antanov 225 should be able to handle that puny piece.

 

[JakeKohl]

yeah...forklift it onto a decked skid that has 4x6 or 4x4 lumber running lengthwise under it to make a couple of "skiis". Chamfer the bottom edges of the runners so they can slide without catching things. Then build a crate around it if needed.

 

[BBD]

Much appreciated lads. Much appreciated.

 

[A_Pmech]

Realize, the people who move freight in a depot are animals. They can and will destroy anything with no remorse. "Shoulda been packed better." they'll say.

Build a crate with a sturdy floor, stud walls, plywood sheathing and a very heavy angled roof Angled roofs tend to limit the tonnage of **** they stack on top of the crate.

Make sure to include large fork pockets so it is easy to pick up. Otherwise, the forklift operators will simply spear the side of the crate, defeating all your hard work.

Remember also, unless the machine is new the carrier's liability for your shipment limited to something so pitifully low, you won't even be able to buy lunch with the money you receive if they destroy it.

 

[BBD]

The base of the crate will be close to this design I have found, with more bracings.

Plently of area to shove a forklift beneath. I will make some "pockets" by correctly spacing some lumber. Then I will use arrows to help those animals locate.

 

[Danver]

Hire Jarret from Shipping Wars.

 

[Paul1956]

No, hire Jennifer from Shipping Wars!

 

[Kevin54]

You want a crate that is very sturdy. 4x4's for your base, plywood floor, plywood sides, plywood lid. Frame the sides with 2x4's in the corners, some diagonal bracing with 2x4's, then a couple underneath the lid. NO NAILS.....use good screws. A lot of people use drywall screws which is fine, but you want to use quite a few. You can use a ramp to get it up to the base skid. After it is on the base skid, you want to use some 2x's to surround the perimeter of the wheels so it can't move left to right, front to back.

Then go to TSC, WallyWorld, Ace, and buy a couple 1" ratcheting straps to secure it down. You can bore holes in the plywood floor and like the example of the frame above, wrap the straps around the 4x's, then ratchet things down. For something that side, don't be shocked to find that you have $100 or so in just a shipping crate.

If you aren't quite sure how to build a crate for it, I can make you up a drawing as to how to do it, along with others on here that can probably supply you with a sketch or drawing.

And DO NOT slap 45 "FRAGILE" stickers all over it, or it will be an almost guarantee that it will be damaged. One Fragile sticker on top, along with both long sides should be adequate.

 

[chrismenke]

Where from and to? Within the UK I would just ro-ro into an enclosed trailer and block it up very well once inside.