Moving a Vandy up a steep hill
I’ve recently purchased a Vandercook 320 and am having to move it to my garage from a garage 30 miles down the highway. The garage/driveway that I’m moving the press from is fairly flat, and I can foresee no problems getting it in/out of that space. My driveway, however, is a bit steeper, and on opposite of the street is a steep bank . I’ve attached a picture of it here and hope that you’re able to gain some perspective of it’s slant based on the car parked in it.
-What equipment is needed to safely and most easily transport such a beast? It’s on a palate now. (Do I need a palate jack, trailer, fork lift, what kind of truck, etc?)
-How many burly men would you suggest for the task?
-What is the order of operation for getting it done?
-What parts of the press should I tie off/remove to avoid damaging the press in transit?
-Any other tips and/or links to helpful information?
I’m indebted to you for sharing your wisdom.
Thank you so very kindly!
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Moving it is easy - get a tilt-bed wrecker (tow truck) to pick it up and move it. When at your driveway, have the truck BACK UP the drive; and when almost at the top, tilt the bed so that it is level with the garage floor. Roll into place on rollers or with a pallet jack.
Strap the cylinder in place during the move - you don’t want that rolling back and forth during the move.
What Bill describes here is the best way to do this safely.
If you are not experienced with moving heavy machinery with a pallet jack you should probably hire a rigger who has a tilt-bed wrecker and can be responsible for getting the press from the delivery vehicle to his truck, down to the floor of your garage, then off the pallet.
The 320 is a heavy press and if it gets away from you or tips over it could kill someone or destroy itself.
Daniel Morris
The Arm Letterpress
Brooklyn, NY
Yes!! Get a professional Rigger.
Around here we have Bock Transfer (Ohio). They move things faster and easier. I watch them carry a press downstairs with straps around their arms and shoulders.