transfer C&P 10x15 from pallet to 4x4s

I have seen discussions related to this topic but am curious if anyone has ideas for transferring this 10x15 press from an existing pallet to 2 4x4s. Is this possible for this press with a pallet jack or do I need an engine hoist? It seems that there should be a safe way but I haven’t found that way yet.

I just finished the move today and have the pallet jack rented until tomorrow morning so I thought I should try to make this transfer while I have the rental.

Thanks again, everyone, for your part in making this such a successful move! I’ll post an overview of the move within a few days.

Joshua

image: press_transfer.jpg

press_transfer.jpg

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I’d rent a second pallet jack and slide a 2x10 under the press. Park a pallet jack on either side of the pallet—and under the 2x10. Crank up the press, pull out the pallet, and slide in the 4x4s.

Make sense?

I’d be tempted to use a floor jack to lift up one side of the press and put the skid under that side before taking it off the pallet.. Jack it up just enough to get the skid under the press, Use a big hammer if necessary to adjust the 4x4 into place. Use lag bolts to secure the press to the skids; the largest you can fit through the holes in the press and not go through the wood. Drill pilot holes for the lag bolts. Repeat on the other side. Skids should be just an inch or so longer than the front to back distance of the feet of the press. I’d also put a bevel under each end of the skids (on the bottom); that makes it easier to get the pipes under the skids. The jack up the front and put a length of 1” iron pipe under the skids and roll the press forward. Try to arrange it so the pipe falls off the edge of the pallet just before the press is ready to tip over the edge. Then gently tip the press with the help of a friend or two onto the repositioned pipe, adding a second one before the back of the press comes off the pallet. Then just roll the press into place.

Do only one thing at a time…either put a pipe in front of the skids or push the press along. Placing the pipe at an angle to the direction of travel will help you get around corners. It’s possible to move a press like this by yourself, but it’s safer if you have a a friend nearby to run for help (if nothing else) should it all goes pear-shaped (as my British son-in-law likes to say). It shouldn’t though.

n/a

3 great approaches! Thanks.

dicharry, yes, that makes perfect sense. it seems like a very safe and simple solution with two jacks.

Arie, I tried your approach but wasn’t able to get the floor jack high enough to lift the press (one side) off of the pallet. I even took the bottom-most 2x4s off of the existing pallet to try to lower the platform. I’m sure I’m overlooking something here as this seems like a great solution.

Devils Tails, this looks like it could be a great option with one pallet jack. Thanks for the oak versus pine tip (and knot). I was hesitant to put 2x4s under the press and was thinking that they couldn’t hold the weight of the press. I’ll be sure to have one or two people with me to ensure that the press doesn’t tip when transferring to the 4x4s.

I’m going to move forward with the press restoration, then transfer to 4x4s as a final step.

Thanks for your continued support.

Joshua

Would a short section of 2x4 between jack and press have given you the extra clearance?

Arie, I found that the jack was not high enough to clear the pallet. It seems that I would have to build a platform under the pallet jack to give it adequate height.

My suggestion: Get a 2x12 long enough to extend a foot or more on either side of the pallet and slide it under the press crosswise (across the press). Get some short 2x4 and thinner pieces of wood and build up one end under the 2x12 until it is snug under the frame cross-piece. Move the pallet jack as close to the pallet as possible, leaving space to slide the pallet out fore-and-aft of the press, lower the pallet jack all the way, and place another 2x12 across the legs of the pallet jack behind the end wheels and under the press-crossing 2x12 (it’s important to jack with both legs of the pallet jack together). If you can, add blocks on the pallet jack legs under the bridging 2x12 to gain more height. Now you can slowly jack up the pallet jack until you have lifted the press just clear of the pallet, having someone standing steadying the press so it doesn’t tilt out of control. If you’re lucky you’ll be able to raise it enough to slide the oak timbers under the feet and lower the press onto them. This is essentially the same as Devil’s Tail’s suggestion, but with stouter planks.

Dear AdlibPress,

Sorry to bring up this old thread, but I’m facing some issues picturing your description.

Could I trouble you for a illustration or something? I’d be eternally grateful…

Thanks!

Here’s the setup I was envisioning. The key piece is to block and shim under the 2x12 on the opposite side from the pallet jack so that when you raise the pallet jack the 2x12 under the press lifts the press right away. You have to be careful not to go too high, just enough to clear the pallet the press is sitting on, because the higher you go the more the press will tend to tilt away from the pallet jack. It would be wise also to have someone steadying the press, from the side, so it doesn’t start to tip. Once you can remove the pallet you should be able to slide the skids under the press and then set it down on them.

Good luck!

Bob

image: press lift diagram.png

press lift diagram.png

Thank you Bob!!! I really appreciate it :)

This is truly a superb method. I bought a bottle jack specially for this, but was having problems fitting it under the press.

My current concern is that the pallet my press is on is kind of large (almost 4ft x 4ft), so I’d probable need a 5ft long 2x12.

Do you think that a 2x12 of this length (5ft), set up in the way you describe, would be too weak to bear the load of the press?

Thanks again…

I am a tripod person and I lift everything using a tripod. You can fabricate a tripod very simple by using three 2 X 6s. Drill a 1” hole about 6 inches from the end and insert a 3/4” pipe and stand up spreading the two legs over top of the press. Wrap a chain around all three planks so as to squeeze them together then hang a chain hoist from the chain. Find point of balance and lift

The reason for suggesting using 2x12s is that they should be plenty strong enough for the weight of the press. (Just be sure there aren’t any knots in the board supporting the press.) The one caution about using a bottle jack would be the potential for instability of a single point of support, as compared with the spreading of the support using the pallet jack. Another possibility to consider for a jack is an automotive floor jack on wheels, which can lift a lot of weight from a low starting point and because it is on steel wheels the support is a bit more stable. But I would still lean most strongly toward the pallet jack if you can get one.

Bob