Parking a bed mill that in not under power

[zoeper]

I need to get some advice on how to "park" a bed mill that is not under power so that it can be transported long distance in a container.
I would like the spindle nose to rest on a block of wood on the table to protect the ball screws and also to reduce the height so that it can fit into a container for sea freight.

Can the head be lowered manually if you can access the ball screw and turn it by hand?
Do they normally have a brake fitted to the z axis?
Is there a better way of doing this?

Any suggestions much appreciated.

[Geof]

Some machines have a btake on the Z axis to prevent it dropping due to its own weight when the machine is not under power. In these case you do need power to my the axis.

Some machines have a counterbalance, either an actual weight or in some cases a hydraulic cylinder and accummulator, to balance the weight of the head. In theses cases you may be able to move the axis by turning the ball screw.

[Al_The_Man]

There some such as Mazak that have a hydraulic operated latch, when the power goes off and the hydraulics and C.B. are no longer on, the spring loaded latch, pins in to the nearest tooth, and holds the axis.
In this type, you cannot turn the ball screw without somehow pulling the latch out of the tooth.
Once any C.B. is released then it is OK to turn the axis by hand.
Al.

[zoeper]

Thank you Geof and Al,
I would have to find out more about the specific machine to make the call, but it does sound like we would be able to figure it out. I will know within the next couple of days if my offer was accepted and then i would have to send someone to prepare the machine for shipping. Hold your thumbs, i think i might be onto a rough diamond here