Shipping equipment

[Joe Kurtz]

Looking for a reputable shipper that will pick up equipment and ship across the country. Has any one worked with a company they would recommend? What was the experience like? Rough costs? thanks.

[Bill Dufour]

how big? if it will fit in a gaylord fedex has flat rate shipping crates. I think they will pick up and deliver to a home address. The price includes the pallet and the gaylord. I think 1,200 pounds weight limit and the box is about a four foot cube.
Bill D

http://fedex.postclickmarketing.com/test/freightboxupdate

[Matt Day]

How many pieces of equipment, how heavy, etc will change these replies you get. One piece of equipment is different than a whole shop.

[Richard Coers]

Rough cost? How about rough idea on machinery? I don't know anyone that will pick up without crating or bolting to a pallet. I've only had bad experiences over the last few years. Got jabbed for using wrong freight class once. Another jab when I underestimated the weight of the skids a millwright company made to ship a huge industrial lathe. I also got a shipment on a eTrike that the driver didn't even want to move to the back of the truck because the box of crushed and half way off the skid.

[Darcy Warner]

For a one time thing, it will be more than if you move numerous things a month. My costs are very reasonable.

[Joe Kurtz]

One machine is a slider at about 800lbs. and the other machine is a Jointer at about 1000 lbs.

[Alex Zeller]

I've often looked at shipping equipment as I've seen some things in auctions that I would like. But finding someone who can package a machine correctly and ship it has always been one of the biggest reasons i haven't. I've never even got to the cost part of it.

[John Sincerbeaux]

I have used Old Dominion in the past and had very good service through each phase of the process. I thought they were pretty reasonable. The tricky part is always the crating, pickup and delivery. There are plenty of threads on this forum about delivery fails. The bigger/heavier the machine, the bigger the cost/logistics.
I don’t own a forklift but have rented them three times and they’re expensive.
I would NOT recommend FedEx.
Good luck

[Darcy Warner]

The only things I have had destroyed were in crates. A skid bigger than machine, banding and a good wrap job seem to get handled better.

[Jim Becker]

The only things I have had destroyed were in crates. A skid bigger than machine, banding and a good wrap job seem to get handled better.
I can see this....a big skid/pallet that exceeds the dimensions of the tooling with the machine very thoroughly tied down to the skid/pallet and then wrapped as you indicate. Of course, my CNC came in a full crate that just barely fit in the commercial trailer...

https://tujhwa.dm.files.1drv.com/y4mza-k57lzLtiinvmiy_020j5z140LoxpMwK9M6rpFAsBGWCTJ8dLRb mC_QncgBicew9HjL6Q9clo8ayz9sN8JZdmE_mAYj64DryOY1gd XSesz8vXxwrLcjcEGcxng-wMq5gyKxzIpd0oEWM15OW8mASuk50WY9ZeHZwsenmBFH3KnCup BdkKQInjHu0cmOezyK0Xs_kZbMxTt2HWsty7akA?width=660&height=495&cropmode=none

https://t0jhwa.dm.files.1drv.com/y4mJmTM0YDgNmkiyOaDuyyLzhvKVgnH67xCqaH3UZmhDeLrcxb 2tevJUOfYYMOvrvkRH68ofmSOOnghy7DyEHmolazyJ9QE0_XLS-ubdlZP6ghoorHYju_-E2CuY4suJxwpbT1WsECw7O9fcfQhu6RxyyaC2weWC-ymMye_yCRbER89xGqkh27Jgisr4wg3q-9-oXUi4mwDcN4y5jee6Rv8ZQ?width=660&height=660&cropmode=none

OP, while I kinda agree with Darcy, it's important that you meet the carrier's requirements. If they will accept a pallet and wrap and still insure it in full, that's a lot leas work to package things up. If they require a full crate...then that's what you need to do. Size also matters. Pallet and wrap is going to work better for "big stuff" and full crate is likely going to be better for smaller gear...but should still be very clearly marked all over "do not stack". Wink, wink...nod, nod...

[Darcy Warner]

I can see this....a big skid/pallet that exceeds the dimensions of the tooling with the machine very thoroughly tied down to the skid/pallet and then wrapped as you indicate. Of course, my CNC came in a full crate that just barely fit in the commercial trailer...

https://tujhwa.dm.files.1drv.com/y4mza-k57lzLtiinvmiy_020j5z140LoxpMwK9M6rpFAsBGWCTJ8dLRb mC_QncgBicew9HjL6Q9clo8ayz9sN8JZdmE_mAYj64DryOY1gd XSesz8vXxwrLcjcEGcxng-wMq5gyKxzIpd0oEWM15OW8mASuk50WY9ZeHZwsenmBFH3KnCup BdkKQInjHu0cmOezyK0Xs_kZbMxTt2HWsty7akA?width=660&height=495&cropmode=none

https://t0jhwa.dm.files.1drv.com/y4mJmTM0YDgNmkiyOaDuyyLzhvKVgnH67xCqaH3UZmhDeLrcxb 2tevJUOfYYMOvrvkRH68ofmSOOnghy7DyEHmolazyJ9QE0_XLS-ubdlZP6ghoorHYju_-E2CuY4suJxwpbT1WsECw7O9fcfQhu6RxyyaC2weWC-ymMye_yCRbER89xGqkh27Jgisr4wg3q-9-oXUi4mwDcN4y5jee6Rv8ZQ?width=660&height=660&cropmode=none

OP, while I kinda agree with Darcy, it's important that you meet the carrier's requirements. If they will accept a pallet and wrap and still insure it in full, that's a lot leas work to package things up. If they require a full crate...then that's what you need to do. Size also matters. Pallet and wrap is going to work better for "big stuff" and full crate is likely going to be better for smaller gear...but should still be very clearly marked all over "do not stack". Wink, wink...nod, nod...

I have learned way more about logistics, LTL and freight then I every thought I would need.

It's a funny game.

I think the dock jockeys think they can rough house a crate more than a skid with product/material/equipment secured on it.

Also, you really wouldn't believe how nice things ride just packed into the back of a semi.

[andy bessette]

The very best deal I have ever come across is from Fastenal's third party shipping, who will ship very inexpensively between their stores. You must drop off and pickup at their store. If a heavy machine that requires a forklift, check that the particular stores you plan to use actually have a forklift. Shipped a pallet-ized 8" PM jointer from coast to coast for ~$200.

[Erik Loza]

The only things I have had destroyed were in crates. A skid bigger than machine, banding and a good wrap job seem to get handled better.

This has been my experience as well. If the warehouse guys can "see" it, they tend to be more a careful where if it's just a cardboard or OSB crate, they'll harpoon it/back into it all day long with a forklift. At least in my experience. These days, we ship machines heavily shrink-wrapped but on open-framed skids with tip-n-tells and those little caution pyramids on top. If you do all this, really minimizes the risk. Good luck with it.

Erik

[Tom Bender]

Skid design and the subsequent handling is scary.

The skid will flex, especially when picked up by one corner.

Forks that are too short or not inserted all the way in will definitely be applied, and tilted way back.

The pallet will be pushed around by the fork tips.

Tight fork pockets are way frustrating for operators. You don't want that.