I've moved heavy loads with four trailer tongue jacks bolted to a
temporary frame of 2" wooden planks. Their price is comparable to
regular swivel casters of similar load capacity and you don't need
anything else to raise or lower the load.
If you replace their axles with longer bolts you can attach forked
handles to steer and pull them.
Has anyone ever used on-bed camper jacks with casters to move a piece
of machinery? Sounds like it might be easier than tongue jacks, which
already sound like a pretty nifty use of them.
--
There is nothing more frightening than ignorance in action.
Depends on the lathe. I moved my 2000lb 14x40 by lifting it up one end
at a time with a straight pick through the lifting holes and a pair of
farm jacks, then set it down on modestly heavy furniture dollies. By
sweeping up the smooth concrete floor thoroughly two of us easily moved
it to its new locations (twice). One time I left it on the dollies for
two months while I built a machine room in my shop. Dollie wheels
developed small flat spots, but after we got it moving it positioned
easily. Then after it was in position we set it down the same way. One
end at a time. We got it within a couple inches, and were easily able
to use the straight pick to shift it into its exact position.
I don't think I would move anything heavier that way though. The
dollies handled it just fine, but I really think it was the limits of
the casters. I also wouldn't do it by myself for fear of overpowering
it and knocking it over. With two people it was pretty easy.
I did move the saddle and the tail stock all the way to the end opposite
of the head to try and limit the chance of tipping over end wise on the
head, and lifted the head end first. Setting down we lowered the tail
stock end first for the same reason.
SMART transportation choice, Dave. Drop-beds are the =only= way to
move the heavies. 4 or 6 skates should get you there. Find some
cheap bearings and build your own skates, if you're frugal like many
of us are.
--
There is nothing more frightening than ignorance in action.
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