Moving A Press

What kind of press is it?

DGM

Motorized C&P 10 x 15

Photo of press attached

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Additional photo

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Do you have access to a truck that is capable of towing a trailer? I always recommend an “escalate” or drop deck trailer to someone moving their first press. The deck of the trailer drops flat to the ground and, using a pallet jack, the press (on a pallet) can be rolled onto the trailer bed and secured.

These trailers are available at many rental places, so call around and see what you can find. Air-Tow is probably the most common brand, with Bil-Jax being another.

Happy to answer any questions you might have.

Bradley.

Bradley has it right, a hydraulic drop trailer is the way to go. Since I’m on the opposite coast, my trailer is an old Selma (now Jacobsen), and our local printers group has used it to move dozens of presses. Since your press is on skids, not a pallet, you don’t even need a pallet jack, just three or four 2” pipe rollers under the skids. Slower but safer — if the press gets rolling too fast, it just rolls right off the rollers and the skids hit the ground, stopping the press. So the press is never more than about 2” above the floor. Be careful, work slowly, be sure to tie press down in vehicle, and you’ll be fine.

Dave

This so helpful thank you very much!!!!

Remember, the press is very top-heavy, and can tip over easily. I would tie it to keep it from opening or closing, and keep the flywheel from turning. When you tie the press down on the trailer, tie it from the upper parts of the press to the sides of the trailer if possible. If the trailer has a wood deck, nail the skids under the press to the deck (and make sure the press is securely fastened to the skids). If you can figure out a way to brace the press with 2x4s from the right angled area where the trailer floor and trailer sides meet, up to some substantial upper part of the press, on all four sides, that would be good too.

What I’m getting at is, heavily brace the press from every direction. If a driver cuts in front of you on the road, or if you find yourself negotiating a sharper than expected curve, this will create a great deal of force on the press to tip it.

Good luck!