Lifting a B'port Series I R2E4 (BOSS-9)

[lloydsp]

I have a series I R2E4 sitting on a 4-foot high trailer, waiting to be moved to ground level.

It'll be a week before I can roust up a forklift, but a friend has a boom truck rated at 20K pounds which he'll supply -- IF.

IF the machine can be sling-lifted from the port hole in the headstock.

I'm not sure. The four bolts can take the tension, but is it "approvable" to lift the machine that way, even for a short, soft lift?

Basically, we intend to just lift it off the trailer, pull the trailer out, and lower it to floor level. Will it take it? Or, should I wait for the forklift?

Thanks..
LLoyd

[vlmarshall]

The 4 bolts holding the ram to the column will support the machine, we pick them up at work with the forks under the ram.
One fork in front of the column and the other behind, with a 2 sections of 2x4 to protect the ram dovetails.

[lloydsp]

But....??? No ram on this machine... and nothing behind the column...

The only 'top' lifting point on this would be through the several access ports in the headstock casting.

LLoyd

[vlmarshall]

Ah, sorry! I skipped right over the 'Boss 9' part. I think I've helped move one for a guy that buys and sells equipment, but I'm not certain, and could only offer my opinion that it'd be plenty strong for lifting.

Hopefully someone with experience here can help.

Sorry about that.

[isu19151@verizo]

I moved the same machine last year and used the factory supplied lifting hooks.The balance was spot on.I would use the openings for the factory hooks by inserting a sling through them.If it seems too tight against the motor etc.put in a spreader bar.

[mactec54]

Hi lloydsp

There is a eye bolt hole behind the head you can use this to lift it with make sure all the 4 bolts holding the ridge ram to the column are tight you could use a sling as well

[lloydsp]

Thanks for all the replies. The guys at Hardinge/Bridgeport Service are "good guys". They hooked me up with one of their old-timers; a guy who's moved a lot of BOSS machines.

He said to just hook S-hooks into the forward-most drafts in the headpiece (which are sized for a sling-pole), and lift away. He related that it was much the preferrable method over a fork lift, because the machine tends to top-heavy.

Thanks again,

LLoyd

[mc-motorsports]

I had a series 1 delivered in the same fashion. But they guy lifted it with a forged eyelet welded to a 1/2" bolt, that single welded eye bolt threaded into the column....

And to make me even more of a nervous wreck, he welded it himself! Looked like a bird flew over top and crapped between a 1/2" bolt and an eye-bolt... I asked him if he was going to insure my concrete, he didn't like me very much.

But everything ended up fine. Same circumstances you have now, delivered on a flat bed truck and lifted off with a towing boom. My machine is a lot lighter than yours though.

Good luck!