Picking up a C&P 10x15

I’m most likely purchasing and picking up an old style C&P 10x15 this weekend and I’m in need of some advice. Should I pick up myself or hire somebody to do it for me? It’s about 3 hours away so it’s not too far. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

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a 10x15 is very heavy, if you haven’t moved heavy equipment you might want to hire a ramp truck, those guys move heavy things when they aren’t hauling cars. if you try to move it yourself make sure you close the press and tie it shut, this moves the weight towards the center and makes it less tippy. if you drop the press it will be hard to fix, and worst of all someone could get hurt, make sure you have someone who has some experience moving things like this. good luck.

Thanks for the info, Dickg. I actually just posted an auction on uship to see if someone can pick up for us since we’re totally inexperienced. This will be my first “real” press, since all I currently have is a little showcard.

Tow truck guys with a ramp truck are great, but explain to them that the press is top heavy and tips easily. And that cast iron will shatter if dropped even short distances.

If the press does not have skids under the feet, I’d recommend adding them before the moves. 2x6 or 4x4 just longer than the distance of the feet back to front. If you really want it nice bevel the skids under.

Okay, so reading through this:http://excelsiorpress.org/reference_html/movingapresssafely.html
I’m wondering, would it be safer to follow his guide and do it ourselves, or would it be safer to trust someone on uship to do it for us? I’m so lost and confused and terrified!

Where are you located?
I have some contacts with towing companies that I would trust to help.
While I have no experience with uship, I would be cautious of going with the low bidder. This is one area where the movers need to understand physics and the law of cast iron.
Law of cast iron…………..
It is brittle, doesn’t take kindly to side forces, doesn’t like sudden stops(hitting the floor), is heavier than it looks, once in motion it really doesn’t want to stop, once broken can be a pain to repair, if at all,……………

That said, it can be done safely with very little equipment, if you take your time and plan EVERY step and try to anticipate any and all possible “oops” that might take place and what you will do if a “oops” happens.

Marshall

I’m located in Nashville and picking up in Louisville. And you’re totally right about low bidders on uship - it’s like hiring a low bidding graphic designer… they suck and don’t know what they’re doing.

My contacts in your area are fairly old. I will do some checking and see who I can get a hold of for you. What is your schedule for moving the press?

Marshall

We were planning on going to pick up this Saturday. Thanks for helping!

Sent email to tow company in Nashville. I will let you know what they say.

Marshall

There is a wealth of information on this topic on the Discussion boards of this site. You would be wise to use the search engine and read the posts of others who have posted similar questions and read the replies. It will be time very well spent.

Alan at Excelsior gives a lot of good advice. I just moved my C&P 8x12 and rolling it on the pipes was amazingly easy! I used a folding engine hoist to lift the press enough to get the pipes under the skids and to remove them at the end. I took the easy way and rented a POD and packed in my whole shop. A careful and patient bobcat operator moved it the 10 feet over and 3 feet up into my new shop, resting it back on the pipes for the move into its final position. j archibald is also right about doing a search - best of luck!
Steve

lotra91, I was going to suggest reading that same post you listed above. I picked up an 8x12 C&P this summer and ended up having to move it twice within 1 month. We did it by having it on skids, having two bars to roll it on and an engine hoist to lift it with (not to mention plenty of ratchet-tie-downs to secure it in the trailer). The two-bar-rock-and-roll method works extremely well (that’s is detailed in Excelsiorpress’ post). Having an engine hoist was invaluable in our process. We lifted the press up a foot or two off the ground, backed the uhaul trailer under it and set it down. We just reversed the process on the other end. Take your time, think it all through, and you’ll be fine.

I used a tow truck with a boom he picked it up sat it on the rear of the assembly chained it down and off we went. The boom has about a 10 foot or greater reach and can place it far beyond the rear of the truck. There is no risk of tipping because it is attached around the main shaft and suspended, I have move two this way and I wouldn’t do it any other way. Dave