Moving a Vandercook SP15

I would hire professionals, I would insist they thoroughly crated the thing, and I would buy insurance. No one wants to hear my tales of woe again, but to sum up, without shipping insurance I would be the proud owner of a pile of crumpled metal rather than a lovely SP-15.

How far does the press need to be moved? Are there challenges at either end (steps, narrow doors, etc.)? Do you have some experience moving things somewhat like this?

I’ve only moved a couple Vandercooks & similar so I’m no expert, but as I understand it the SP15 is under 800 lbs and you probably could move it yourselves if you’re careful and know what you’re doing, but a lot depends on circumstances.

I agree with Dave, that more specific details would be helpful. It is on the small end for Vandercooks, so it could be done without the pros, if you have a plan and know what you are doing.
#1: Vandercooks are top heavy, so great care must be taken not to tip it over.
#2: Do not lift the press from under the cabinet that is below the bed. it is tempting because it is handy to slide a pallet jack or forklift right under there, but the metal is too fragile, and it will crumple and damage the press. The press needs to be set with its feet on a pallet and secured, then lifted from the pallet.

Those are to main ways to ruin your day, so keep that in mind. Beyond that, a truck and solid trailer will do the job. There are some tricks to getting it up on the pallet too, so if you get that far, more explanations can be made. More details will give a better sense of what you are dealing with.
:)

Very good advice so far. I would add some suggestions -
The SP-15 is pretty light at 800lbs.(think Harley Davidson motorcycle…)
If you’re just moving across town and you don’t have stairs or anything it’s not too bad a move. Here’s some stuff that’s helped me -
Take off the feed table and carriage handle, strap down the carriage so it won’t move. Empty the shelves and cabinets and tape ‘em shut.
You can put it up on a pallet and strap it down to that OR you can rent and use hydraulic equipment dollies - these are great, they are used in pairs letting you lift the press from under the feet. they strap together across the side of the press body and become basically a set of wheels for the press that let you raise and lower it at will.
During a less than ideal moving situation, I helped push a Challenge up a muddy hill on plywood once with these and they were awesome, rock solid.
Anyway, you can push the press around with a few strong backs, roll it into a lowboy trailer or a lift gate equipped rental truck, drop it back on it’s feet, strap it down with some 1000lb rated straps, not the hardware store cheapies, (4 is nice) so it can’t slide or tip over and you’re golden. reverse at it’s new home and make sure it’s level while you have the nice dollies.

I love the hilarious scene in ‘Proceed and Be Bold’ where five guys are pivoting an SP-15 that’s standing on it’s end and popping it into the back of a pick up truck! I appreciated the direct thinking & boldness but found my teeth grinding in fear…

Thanks for all the suggestions. We went for a professional, specialist mover in the end who moved our lovely SP-15 for us a couple of weeks ago. It’s now in its new home and we’re getting used to printing on it - a very different experience from our Heidelberg!