Thinking I might assemble a frame on site. We have a 3 ton chain hoist (lord, is it ever slow…), and hoist it.
Those frames are strong but I doubt they are suitable for lifting a First Mill. First's are heavier than Bridgeports. For some reason I remember just shy of 4000 pounds. But a slow 3 ton chain hoist is absolutely perfect.
Have people had much luck with tow truck companies, for machinery moving? I called around a few years ago, and they were: a) confused, or b) aghast. Hardly gave me the time of day.
The towing companies will all avoid you claiming insurance, license, risk, law, etc.
You need to find a one-man private outfit with a 2 ton boom crane on his truck. Some cash under the table and it never happened - except your First somehow magically ended up on your trailer.
There are also outfits in the big cities that will rent you a gantry crane for the day.
Lastly, sounds like the outfit that has it might be in an industrial area. Might pay to look around. There might be a nearby place with a heavy duty lift truck and an operator who would love a case of beer and some cash.
If it's a rural area, lots of farmers have heavy duty front loaders on their tractors.
I went to get my mail a week ago or so and noticed that a neighbour of mine just had a truck arrive with two skids full of construction materials 16 ft long and no way to unload it. They were all looking sad and hopeless.
I saw my hero chance and went and got my loader tractor. I pulled each skid out till one end was on my forks and the far end was on the trucks lift gate, and then we lowered both ends to the ground. Easy peasy to grab on center and move to their driveway after that. There is always a way. You just need to find a wannabe hero!