Moving WW'ing machines in a container

Re: Moving WW'ing machines in a container

JL

No pictures. The company I used to work for had a machinery division (shared our building). The usual practice for moving equipment and machinery was to secure it to a pallet or in a crate. The pallet or crate was then loaded into a truck or container. They shipped stuff from metro Atlanta all across the US (and into Mexico).

Time consuming to be sure - but as I recall, the damage rate was quite small.

agree, fasten to pallet

When fastening, use bolts not screws or lags

Dick Coers

I had a disaster during shipping of a completed construction equipment cab mockup I did as a modelmaker at Caterpillar. I didn't do the original mockup, just modified it. When it arrived in Las Vegas for a trade show, the seat in the cab had come loose in shipping and "rattled" around in the cab mockup like a rock in a washing machine. Caterpillar operator suspension seats weigh around 200 pounds. The show model was a total loss. 3 of the 4, 3/8" lag bolts were either broken or pulled out. I don't know how that flat bed semi put in that many g's, but I'll never forget the embarrassment. So everything after that had bolts with large fender washers going through 2 layers of OSB. I'd bolt down the machinery and add straps on your most expensive machinery. "You just can't protect enough" for shipping is my motto.

Re: Moving WW'ing machines in a container

Garthfromsandiego

Been involved in loadout for shipping containers going overseas. Agree with use of crates and pallets. But more than that, block and brace equipment so it cannot move or tip both within the crates and within the shipping container. Have your crates and pallets constructed to dimensions that allow fully filling (within a couple of inches) the floor of the container. You have no control over the angles or impact loads the container may be exposed to during handling and transport. Try to envision how your load may shift under various conditions and compensate for any shortcomings. Your enemy is anything moving within crates or the container. Good luck!

clarification

Bill Tindall, E.Tn.

You need to fasten to a base, that could be a pallet. But it could be just a base that gives the machine a bigger footprint. For example, my 18" planer came attached to four timbers fastened to make a square larger than the machine so as to provide a stable base. Two were going north/south, and two east/west on top of the N/S ones. In this case a fork lift could get under the machine itself. Otherwise, the two timber on the bottom need to be 4 x 4's to enable the tines to get under. As others have said the assembly will need to be tied down in route. Trucks have tie down places. I suppose containers do to but I have never been in one to know. .

Re: Moving WW'ing machines in a container

GolfSteve in Calgary

Is this a dedicated truck load (ie. a 40' container?) I don't really know what I'm talking about, but years ago we shipped a control room, and asked for air-ride suspension for that load. Hard-hats that we had left sitting on the control room desk were still on the desk after a 400 km drive.

I was recently in a meeting where we discussing shipping of industrial modular process equipment by sea (this was a shipment to the Arctic Ocean, crossing the North Atlantic). We were required to design lashing points for up to 8 G of acceleration force!

Re: Moving WW'ing machines in a container

walta

I think the shipping container is a poor choice because getting it getting the container on and off wheels is such an extreme maneuver.

Is the plan to keep the container at the destination for some usage?

South of the border several of the trucking companies offer a service they drop off a standard or a small semi trailer you have 3 day to load the before they pick it up and drop it to you new home for 3 day for you to unload.

If you are packing your own load I see no advantage in building pallets or crates it is a great idea if you are shipping one machine that will be loaded and unloaded several time during it travels.

I say put the machines in the trailer and then nail or screw 2x2 or 2x4 around the bases so they cannot move. Machines that are top heavy you should consider laying it down. You are unlikely to have many places on the walls to anchor anything add braces as needed without screws.

Walta

Re: Moving WW'ing machines in a container

Barry W. Larson

Thanks to all for the suggestions. Now that i have a plan to load I just need to find a container and a shipping company for same.

Cheers and stay well.

Barry W. Larson

Calgary, Alberta, Canada eh!

Re: Moving WW'ing machines one other thought

johannaj

Be sure nothing is placed on the jointer. When I moved from Houston to New Mexico, I supervised the placement of my jointer in the moving van and made very sure they did not put anythin on its wings. Even so, it is necessary to check the jointer after it is set up again to be sure the wings are still level.

Re: clarification

kneale brownson

I have two 40-ft containers I bought to store my stuff and my wife's stuff when we sold our house with the 28X48-foot barn with three floors. They have welded-in anchors above and welded-in rerod along the sides. The floors are wood. If I were going to have the one packed with all my machinery, I'd make pallet bases for each and screw the pallets to the wooden floors as well as strappiing through the anchors.

You MAY have trouble finding a container mover who can handle the extra weight of the load inside. Mine were delivered on 40-foot trailers pulled by one-ton trucks. They could not have been moved that way if loaded.

Re: Moving WW'ing machines one other thought

Larry Clinton At Frankfort, (Central) Indiana

As an Engineer at my former place of employment I was responsible for moving many large pieces of equipment. All were palatalized then shipped in AIR RIDE trailers. I would not consider moving any delicate equipment assembled in anything other than an air ride trailer. Much of the equipment was shipped from Indiana to Juarez Mexico, none had any serious shipping damage!