Replies

1. 
   pcooper | Jul 03, 2006 05:23pm | #1

   Do you know anyone with a liftgate truck or maybe you could call the folks you bought from and request liftgate service when they deliver to you. Other than that maybe pay for a wrecker call for a roll back wrecker to off load for you. A regular cable lift wrecker would also work if you can hook onto the thing somehow. Most towing places I know are pretty good about helping out with that kind of thing.

2. 
   gmoney | Jul 03, 2006 05:27pm | #2

   if the machines are not fully assembled you may be able to unload the box or crate piecemeal.

3. 
   SARGEgrinder47 | Jul 03, 2006 05:30pm | #3

   Good morning sneaks...

   Call the trucking company that delivers and see if they have a local equipped with a hydraulic ramp on the back. That would get it to the ground. It is only their responsibility to get it to the back of the truck. Sometimes the driver will assist from there, sometimes not? I sell crate engines tricked out to over 400 HP weighing about the same everyday and my customers encounter similar problems.

   To get it in: sounds if you don't have capable muscle available on call so you'll have to improvise. Do you have a set of appliance hand trucks with an adjustable safety strap? If the base of the crate is very large, rule those out without having an assist from someone in front as you would initially have to kick the crate back to get it in position to roll.

   I built 100" of customer showroom counter in 12' foot sections working alone. How could I maneuver those sections around by myself? Furniture dollys are relatively cheap at the Box. Depending on the size of the crate, one might suffice. Two or more can be attached together by placing a 2 x 4 on top and drilling holds through them and the dolly base. Hex bolts and nuts tie them together. I had to use 4 dollies for my project.

   BTW.. if the truck company doesn't have a hydraulic ramp, an option is for them to call you and you go their terminal with a pick-up truck. The terminal is open 24/7. That still doesn't get them to the ground when you get home though.

   Good luck and be careful...

   SARGE..g47

4. 
   Moksha | Jul 03, 2006 05:38pm | #4

   With a $149 engine lift from Harbor Freight, I was able to move several heavy pieces of machinery, one of them weighed 740 pounds. It is on wheels and once the load is lifted you can roll it to position. You will still need a lift gate truck to get it down to the ground.

   Good luck and do it safely
   Moksha

5. 
   hammer1 | Jul 03, 2006 05:41pm | #5

   Many woodworking machines come on a pallet. Trucking companies expect you to be able to off load, they put it at the back of the truck and you take over. Many truckers will help to a degree but they don't want to strain or hurt anything. You can request a liftgate delivery from most companies, expect an additional charge and pay it gladly. A hand truck can be all that is needed. Slide the pallet off the tailgate and on to the hand truck, a couple of lever bars will make it easy. Once in the shop, I use a comealong, substantially hooked to the ceiling, to lift the machine. If you have a nice flat area, like going into a garage, the trucker will probably allow you to use the pallet jack to move the machine inside. Don't try lifting it with friends or pushing it around by yourself, both the people and the machine will likely get hurt.

   Beat it to fit / Paint it to match

6. 
   cigarmike | Jul 03, 2006 06:41pm | #6

   Once had a 800 pound machine delivered to the local FedEx terminal; their forklift driver placed onto my pickup bed and then it was up to me to devise a ramp to off-load it into my shop. Another option is to lease a truck with a lift gate. I have seen trucks with gates from Enterprise and Ryder. Don't know if Uhaul has them or not.

   Check the yellow pages for rigging companies. May be worth the expense and the safety of your back. Good luck.

7. 
   Steinmetz | Jul 03, 2006 11:40pm | #7

   Heavy duty 'come along' Snatch blocks, planks (Ramps) pipes (Rollers) Johnson bar crow bar. Steinmetz.

8. 
   JMartinsky | Jul 03, 2006 11:51pm | #8

   Dear Sneaks,
   I have rented a wheeled engine hoist, with good results. They are nice for unloading off of trucks, because their legs are designed to go under a vehicle. I've only used them on a concrete floor and wouldn't try rolling one on a rough or "less than" surface. I have successfully moved a Unisaw, PM 66, 15" planer, two 5 HP shapers, a wood stove, and assorted odds and ends. the lift I was able to rent was good up to 1000 lbs or so. I am not big on ramps as that is a lot of weight to stop once it gets moving. Just my two cents.

   Best,

   John

9. 
   skidkid | Jul 04, 2006 05:45am | #9

   Sneaks,

   The delivery company, probably a common carrier, will generally call you first to make sure someone will be there to accept and sign for your machines; they will also need directions if you live in the boonies; this is your chance to ask for a liftgate truck; the carrier should have a pallet lifter on board to move the pallet onto the liftgate; this will at least get your machines on the ground.

   Dont know your site conditions so good luck on the ground.

   Also the machine company doesn't always know who will be the delivery company; sometimes they use central warehousing with multiple delivery people.

    

1. 
   bww_maryland | Jul 04, 2006 11:35pm | #10

   i have a griz 1023 TS and paid the extra $65 (I think) for liftgate service.  The driver then used a pallet jack to get from the street to my garage.  I then used a dolly to get into and place into my walkout basement shop.

   1023 shipping weight was 494# and was no problem.

   brad

10. 
    Jfrostjr | Jul 05, 2006 04:09pm | #11

    The 'final mile' can also be problem.

    When I recieved my 1,000# lathe I had it placed on the garage floor - but how was I going to move it into my separate shop area? I disassembled my Pony clamps and used the 3/4" pipe sections as rollers. Worked like a charm. Easy to move and steer.

    Jerry

11. 
    Bioman | Jul 05, 2006 04:24pm | #12

    One option, but a bit pricy is to have them delivered to a rigger, who can in turn deliver them to you.  This could run half of what the machines run.  One of my biggest frustrations has been what I have spent on shipping and riggers over the past six years.  The alternative is to purchase a used forklift.

12. 
    SteveV | Jul 05, 2006 09:43pm | #13

    I just ordered a new Grizzly G0586 Jointer, bandsaw, and drill press.  The trucking company (New Penn) called me 1.5 days later to arrange delivery.  They asked if a tractor trailer could access my neighborhood and I said no.  I then asked them for a truck with a lift gate and they said all of their one peice rigs came with them so no extra money was required.  The driver showed up the next morning and asked "where would you like me to place this stuff?"  He got out a pallet jack and we pushed it up the driveway and into my garage.  Could not have asked for better service!!

    Last mile ... I had my day help me lift the jointer bed into place!

    So in short ... just talk to the freight company and they should give you all the help needed.

    Steve

1. 
   joepez | Jul 06, 2006 08:52pm | #15

   Steve,

   I had a machine ordered form Griz and they used New Penn. Best carrier I have had to deal with. Called ahead of time. Told them to leave at the terminal and I would pick up. When I went there, 10 mins from me, I realized they have straight job trucks and now I know. I had the unfortunate experiance to deal with Overnite several times and complete and utter disasters. No straight trucks, told them they could not get a trailer up my street, tried anyway, tried to meet up with the driver, except they sent him west that day, Im the east route, and on.

   Joe P in RI

13. 
    aaronb | Jul 05, 2006 10:15pm | #14

    Know anyone with a bobcat with forks? These are common place with most landscapers, if you have a friend with one your in business.

    Aaron