Best way to move 2500lb lathe from Edmonton garage<>Calgary garage

[Jimbojones]

Got a machine to move; weighs about 2500lbs. Is on a long pallet within a 7ft ceiling garage in Edmonton and need to bring it back to Calgary in similar situation.

I've used 'professional' machine movers before and they were HORRENDOUSLY priced and that was just within Calgary; city to city would cost as much as the machine.

Anyone either know a safe/inexpensive method, carrier and/or able to move such a thing themselves and want to make some $$$? Seeing that it's residential move, there is no loading dock and at most, a manual pallet jack which may/may not work, especially if we have to take it up an incline. Ideally a flatbed with a mini-forklift would be easiest...but that's also the most expensive option that I know of.

I've got a while to make this happen but really dont want do this in mid-winter....

BTW - please don't respond with conjecture/'maybe try this' scenarios. There is too much weight involved to experiment and actual moving-experience knowledge is whats needed to make this happen seemlessly as I cannot reconfigure the situation mid-effort. Getting the lathe loaded/unloaded are by far the biggest issues.

 

[kylemp]

I always just do it myself. Go up with a trailer and then pay a picker to pull it off when I get back and get it on something I can get a pallet jack under. 2500 lbs isn't that heavy, I'd just get a uhaul to move it. And I'm speaking from lots of experience.. what EXACTLY is it?

 

[Jimbojones]

Glad you have that experience but it doesnt take into account my existing moving capability
e.g. I cant 'go with a trailer': my vehicle can only tow 3500lbs and trailer/machine combo is beyond that
u-haul: unless they started renting trucks with 1.5+ ton liftgates, there is no way to load/unload a 2500 object in to one without a forklift, loading dock or self-made ramp e.g. their ramps are not made to handle that kind of weight

To be clear; I understand that I will have to 'get stuff' to make this work but I do need a package solution. Already had some clown via USHIP quote me $1500 and that STILL didn't include load/unload. Wingenback would be $2K plus....

 

[kylemp]

What is it? That kind of determines a bit of the parameters.

 

[Jimbojones]

2500lb lathe

http://www.kbctools.ca/products/MACHINERY/LATHES/MANUAL LATHES/9211.aspx

 

[kylemp]

The picker I use does runs up to edmonton somewhat often.. he said he'd charge a decent rate to pick up there and drop off. If it's crated it'd be easier with the weather were probably going to get. Second to that, I believe penske has lift gates and decent prices on rental trucks.

 

[kylemp]

Or you can buy my 15x50 that I don't really need

 

[Jimbojones]

I'll stick with this one. Once I get it home, I'll reveal details
Please PM your picker info

 

[Louis Dusablon]

I moved my 4000 lb lathe, with driver direct with a picker, not sure how much they charge from Edmonton to Calgary, your machine is relatively light
there are several way to move it, you can use the jack and roll method, I made skates for mine. I have a post under the old lathe project which show the roller I fabricated for the move. my garage door is only 7ft high also

 

[Dabbler]

hey Louis, I couldn't find your posting concerning the skates... since your profile is locked down I couldn't find it that way...
Any chance you could post a link to it? I'm very curious.

 

[Louis Dusablon]

don't know what's up with my pic's they keep coming out sideways
my post was under Your Active project/Old Lathe Project

 

[Jimbojones]

Any chance those skates are available? Look pretty skookum idea but I've only got 1-time use so doenst make sense to make my own

 

[Louis Dusablon]

Wish I could help but they are under the lathe at this moment.