Milling machine delivery

This topic has 10 replies, 8 voices, and was last updated 13 October 2025 at 08:56 by Kiwi Bloke.

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12 October 2025 at 11:06 #819916
unclesmith
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@unclesmith
Hi everyone,

Does anybody know any guys who can deliver a milling machine from Manchester area down to Hitchin, Hertfordshire?

It is an used Chester Super Lux mill, weighting about 300 kg.

Some guys in our Hitchin hackspace used Ladylift (Steve Cox) before, but currently he does local moves only..

Open to suggestions.

TIA.

Kind regards,

Phil
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12 October 2025 at 11:51 #819929
SillyOldDuffer
Moderator
@sillyoldduffer
Almost any of the big boys will move it, provided you fix the thing securely to a standard pallet. Try TNT.

BUT! These shifters expect fairly easy access for loading and unloading, typically restricted to a firm surface their pallet truck will get over safely. They don’t do steps, upper stories, narrow gaps, or soft ground etc. And the driver may not be familiar with machine tools, which have a nasty habit of falling over because they’re top heavy!

None of this was a problem to me – easy access from main road, to a flat firm driveway, leading directly through a garage door. Might be to a chap living down a lane, with gravel driveway, leading to an alleyway, and back garden shed. Landylift were helpful at the latter case, whereas an ordinary delivery service would leave the pallet nearby! Do you need help with the installation? I didn’t: machine arrived on pallet, they easily put it where wanted to remove the packaging and had space for my engine crane to position the thing inside the workshop. Others have to get smart: rollers, temporary paths, taking machines to bits etc. Not too difficult with experience, but intimidating and potentially dangerous the first time a heavy unstable object is moved.

I don’t recall anyone like Landylift who offers a long-distance service. Hope there is one!

Dave
12 October 2025 at 12:28 #819937
noel shelley
Participant
@noelshelley55608
Particularly in the case of mills on lightweight bases the issue of TOP HEAVY can not be stated to strongly. Partial dismantling may well be a good plan and much safer way to move it. I moved a Centec with vertical head and a shaper this way. 1 ton engine crane and trailer. Noel.
12 October 2025 at 12:28 #819939
Trevor Drabble 1
Participant
@trevordrabble1
Suggest you try searching Machine Tool Movers. Good luck .
12 October 2025 at 12:28 #819941
Dave Wootton
Participant
@davewootton
This summer I moved from Folkestone in Kent up to Newark on Trent, I used a chap called Ian based in Bradford who had previously collected a machine on behalf of the buyer when I sold it. Was impressed with the care he took in loading and fastening down. I got him to move my Myford 254 and Myford VMF mill for me and again was impressed with the care he took. The price was based on mileage from his home base plus a lifting charge and was very reasonable, much less than other quotes I got. His firm is called Mawson Motors his number is 07711 178588 and his name is Ian.

No connection other than as a satisfied customer.

Dave
12 October 2025 at 12:33 #819945
unclesmith
Participant
@unclesmith
Thanks for the advise, guys,

It is accessible both at seller and at our sides – ground level access, the mill is secured to the pallet and will be separated from the base (the seller is ok do that) – no steps or dog leg driveways to navigate through.

It all comes down to just going there, picking it up and moving it to Hitchin.

I’ll try to contact those business then and see how much they’ll quote.

Phil.
12 October 2025 at 13:09 #819948
Dave Wootton
Participant
@davewootton
If it’s on a pallet already and in two parts meaning not top heavy it would be easily shiftable using a tail lift Luton type van, would cost less than getting it moved by a contractor as you wouldn’t be paying anyone else’s labour. Some van hirers will hire you a pallet truck as well as a van, make sure you get a 500kg tail lift. I moved the rest of my workshop in a Luton Transit without any problems apart from it being the hottest three days of the year!
12 October 2025 at 13:13 #819950
unclesmith
Participant
@unclesmith
Good shout,

Cheers, Dave!
12 October 2025 at 13:53 #819953
peak4
Participant
@peak4
I’ve not used him personally, but I have seen good reports about One Tonne Crane
https://www.1tonne.com/

Also on Faceache

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100031795617060

Bill
12 October 2025 at 17:47 #819971
Speedy Builder5
Participant
@speedybuilder5
I would pop around to a local machine shop and ask if they know someone. Might be more useful than you think.
13 October 2025 at 08:56 #820032
Kiwi Bloke
Participant
@kiwibloke62605
I’m a great believer in DIY, but, of course, it’s not practicable for everyone. I’ve moved, single-handed, heavier machines which were bolted to home-made ‘pallets’ (1″ ply on 4X2s), then enclosed by a fabricated crate (1/2″ OSB + battens). A pallet truck made moving easy, on sheets of ply, where the ground wasn’t smooth enough, and a hired truck with tail-lift did the long haul. Fun to drive, too! Careful selection of tail-lift was important, to find one with the easiest ramp for the pallet truck to traverse. If you don’t have an ‘engine crane’, they can of course be rented and put in the truck, for t’other end’s lift.
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