Moving an imposing Imposing Stone

We will be moving a very large 4x6’ imposing stone into our composing room. The issue is the 38” door. We can manage the base, but its that 3/4” cast iron slab that worries us. Its not attached so separating it from the base is not a problem. We’re thinking about creating a crate to upright the slab, then roll it through the door.

Any ideas about getting it through the door vertically or at an angle? How would one then get the slab back on top of the base? How much does this thing weigh?

Thanks for your help. I have attached a photo of the stone. Since the photo was taken we have already moved it off the rack and down on the floor. We placed 2x4”s between the slab and base.

Log in to reply   14 replies so far

Here is a photo

image: Imposing Stone

Imposing Stone

We took ours through vertically from memory, sliding it either on a blanket our some pipes. Lifting it up needs friends and care of backs.

according to an online calculator, close to 1000 pounds uk

use engine hoist to lift, get vertical, lower onto a proper cradle substantially of timbers, roll on pipes, reverse procedure to position back.

Cast iron weighs 5# per 1/8” x 12” x 12”.
Engine hoist is the only thing I would do. Getting to old to do that kind of stuff by hand anymore.
Pete

If it were me (have moved these before), I would use a flat mover’s dolly.This will require some balancing while moving through the door. And the size of this stone you should probably have 4 people. Roll it through the door vertically and when you get it near the base, CAREFULLY lay it down on two 4 x 4’s, or the movers dolly. Then slide two movers straps, one under each end, about 8 or ten inches from each end. Then each person grabbing hold of one end and simultaneously lift it up and step sideways to the base and set it down. Step back, breathe, then finish positioning it. There should be some pins on the underside of the slab that fit into holes on top of the base. Once positioned, use a pry bar to slightly lift a corner at a time and remove the straps. Good luck, and be extremely careful.
Danny

Moved a 4x3 cast iron stone this week, took 4 of us to lift it back onto the base. Make sure you use some mechanical help !!

Hey Nicholas;

Long time no see.
Sounds like your slab, if it is indeed 48x72x3/4”, should be under 2592 cubic inches. At 442 lbs per 1728 cubic inches, Cast gray iron, your iron top should weigh about 663 lbs.

If it were me, I’d want to move this in through the door on it’s side. Preferably on some short pipes, and with at least 5 people present to help support it. This will be no small task.
Webbing/strapping and a small crane would the be easiest way to get it off the support, but an engine hoist would probably do the trick too if it’s the right weight cap. I bet that you’ll have difficulty finding an engine hoist to fit thru a 38” door while supporting weight, though, so you’ll probably have to get the top up on it’s side, positioned on pipes, ready to go in, and then get the engine hoist through after you get the top moved in.
I’d probably try and position it so that there were pipes to roll it in thru the doorway already set up, and a slightly thicker pipe (1/4” thicker will do it) in the middle that you can use to take care in the removal of any webbing. a ‘fulcrum’ to rock the slab back and forth and lift each corner up to clear the webbing out before rolling. This can be ejected out the back of the chain and then brought back forward to the front later, to again aid in bringing the webbing back under the slab so you can use this to lift it back up with the engine hoist again.

Thanks for the suggestions guys, and keep them coming! From the calculations it seems that the slab weighs less then I originally thought. Using a hoist or forklift with strapping to remove the slab and get it vertical looks like the way to go. Pipes or a dolly and some muscle to move it through the door way seems promising. Then to get the slab back on its base, maybe lean it on the base and then muscle to lift it up and position.

I’m wondering how unwieldy this slab will become when vertical and moving on pipes or dollies.

I don’t believe there will be enough room inside the composing room to maneuver a hoist or forklift.

I came up with the leaning idea since I have loaded many appliances unto my truck bed using a similar method.

Any thoughts?

vertical moving will work for this BUT! be very aware that not only will the top try to tip over,,,, but the Bottom will want to “kick out”…. you must pay attention and be very careful…
if you can borrow or rent one, a folding engine hoist, “cherry picker” may help, if the situation presents itself.

Little late to the *Tape* maybe, but as (it) The stone in question appears to be professional and large(ish) Is it a simple as it is equipped with at least 3/4” or bigger Lifting Rod holes (maybe 2) right through the webs in the castings, for steel lifting rods or at very least Ring Bolts or *D* shackles??

would be nice to know how the move went……..presumably ok……

Jon,

We are scheduled to move the imposing stone on Friday. We plan on loading the slab on to the trailer first and base second. This way the slab will be closer to the ground when we unload. The loading will be done with a forklift.

We will also be blocking the slab on the trailer to reduce stress while its being transported.

When we arrive at our destination we will unload the base rolling it on dollies into the the shop. Then we will pause and take some time sanding off the rust from the slab.

After the slab is sanded we will be using 8 able bodies to unload the slab from the trailer, tip it vertical and roll on pipe into the shop. Then lean the slab up against the base and finally lift/leverage it into place.

This is probably more involved then the time we hoisted a 12x18 Craftsman with a chain drop through a lift shaft.

I will definitely let you know!

The stone is in its new home. We ended up moving the stone vertically on small pipe into the shop. We then leaned it up against the side of the cabinet. Before using the side of the cabinet as a fulcrum to help lift the stone into place we bee’s waxed the top to help slide the stone into place.

image: IMG_0605[3].jpg

IMG_0605[3].jpg

image: IMG_0600[8].jpg

IMG_0600[8].jpg

image: IMG_2190[17].jpg

IMG_2190[17].jpg

That’s quite a crew you assembled! With six guys, you could move most anything! Nice addition to your shop.