Tow company for moving ~1100lb milling machine

[Junkie]

Next weekend I'm likely buying a ~1100lb mill in Tracy and need to take it to Santa Clara.

The guy has a forklift and can load it onto my 3/4 ton utility bed pickup, but I'd then get to unload it using a cherry picker which might be interesting. I'd also need to put some better tiedown points in my bed (something that needs to be done anyway).

As an alternative, any tow company suggestions? What would I expect to pay? 65 miles one way. I just need it dropped off in the driveway on some 2x4s, I can deal with getting it where it goes from there using some rollers and a comealong. A wild guess as to what a tow company would charge to send out a wrecker and pick it up from my bed and then set it down 10' away would be useful too. Obviously I'll call around but figured I'd ask for suggestions first.

 

[auntiebling]

I assume it's a Bridgeport clone...

Take the head off if you have to and rent a trailer.


I doubt a tow company would do it since it isn't on wheels it'd be too far out of their comfort zone?

Complete WAG, a tow company will want a few hundred.

 

[Junkie]

It's not a Bridgeport clone, 8x27 table so relatively small. A Bridgeport would be double that weight minimum.

 

[afm199]

Paging Jakemate

 

[auntiebling]

Neat. It looks like it's based on a clausing

I'd do the engine crane on a trailer.

Drop a line if you want help unloading, I have another engine crane if needed

 

[Junkie]

I don't have a trailer. I suppose I could always rent a UHaul one though.

My truck's GVWR is 2800lb higher than it's current weight, so I'm not worried about it, but height does complicate things.

 

[auntiebling]

The extra height is why I would do a trailer. You can probably back it into a curb or maybe the geometry of your driveway is favorable such that the drop from trailer floor to ground is very small.

Uhaul daily trailer rental is cheap, 1 way from Tracy even, so you can drive over 55 on the way there

 

[Junkie]

350/350/4.10/30.5" so I drive 55 anyway

I'm swapping the rear end for a 3.73 one in a few weeks (I think), which will make it somewhat less crappy on the freeway

 

[byke]

Rent a drop deck trailer and machine skates and roll it off the trailer. Could also roll it on pipe, or maybe even 4x4's and dollies. Anyway, the drop deck opens up some things you could manage alone.

 

[auntiebling]

350/350/4.10/30.5" so I drive 55 anyway

I'm swapping the rear end for a 3.73 one in a few weeks (I think), which will make it somewhat less crappy on the freeway

gotchya
i have some chain binders if you want to borrow them. no chains though.

a drop deck trailer would be ideal but they're pretty specialized so rental price might be unappealing. i don't think it's necessary for this.

i have a little mill that weighs substantially less than yours. i built a wood platform for it to sit on that i can slide an ATV jack under and it lives on that permanently. you could do the same for a pallet jack which will elevate the table to a less back breaking height, and make future moves easier.

i happen to have a bunch of pallet wood sitting around waiting for me to figure out what to make from it, you're welcome to some of it as well if needed

 

[1962siia]

When I move mine I use 2x4's laid flat on the ground and its slides relatively easy on them, like rails. I rented a pickup with a lift gate and had no trouble, but a low trailer sounds good too especially if it had a strong enough fold down ramp/gate. Having a mill is awesome. Congrats!

 

[auntiebling]

How do you pull it across the 2x4?

 

[Lights_Guy3]

I'm in Alameda. You're in Alameda. I have 5x8 flatbed trailer. You may borrow if you want.

 

[Junkie]

gotchya
i have some chain binders if you want to borrow them. no chains though.

a drop deck trailer would be ideal but they're pretty specialized so rental price might be unappealing. i don't think it's necessary for this.

i have a little mill that weighs substantially less than yours. i built a wood platform for it to sit on that i can slide an ATV jack under and it lives on that permanently. you could do the same for a pallet jack which will elevate the table to a less back breaking height, and make future moves easier.

i happen to have a bunch of pallet wood sitting around waiting for me to figure out what to make from it, you're welcome to some of it as well if needed

Thanks for the offer. I think I'm gonna trust car-grade tiedowns though.

I'm in Alameda. You're in Alameda. I have 5x8 flatbed trailer. You may borrow if you want.

How substantial is said trailer? I wouldn't want to put a big point load on a little HF trailer or something.

 

[Lights_Guy3]

How substantial is said trailer? I wouldn't want to put a big point load on a little HF trailer or something.

Pics

 

[Jalopyshoppe]

I have a dovetail flatbed steel deck car trailer and all the straps you could want. I can also tow it, but that kind of time would cost close to $300 to have me operate that equipment. Definitely able to engine hoist it onto the trailer. I don't have appropriate skates or dollies.

 

[1962siia]

How do you pull it across the 2x4?

Two people pushing it. The old timer I bought mine from suggested this method. It slid easily with two people pushing it. Mine is an old Wells Index Model 40 similar size to the one the OP is looking to move, maybe a little bigger.

 

[auntiebling]

Two people pushing it. The old timer I bought mine from suggested this method. It slid easily with two people pushing it. Mine is an old Wells Index Model 40 similar size to the one the OP is looking to move, maybe a little bigger.

Cool. I am a little surprised and will try to remember that.

That also is a cool machine you have. I am sad every time one comes up for sale and I don't yet have space to put it. Which taper does the spindle have?

 

[Abacinator]

This reminded me of the time I helped move a 3-ton shizuoka machine from my friends driveway into his garage. 6 guys, a bunch of iron pipe, a ratcheting winch, and 2 hours later we had it in place

 

[1962siia]

Cool. I am a little surprised and will try to remember that.

That also is a cool machine you have. I am sad every time one comes up for sale and I don't yet have space to put it. Which taper does the spindle have?

I can’t remember for sure but I think it’s Brown & Sharpe #9. It’s still at my old place in Crockett.