Hauling My Planer

[Mike Burke]

I found a planer and need to haul it home. It's 2 1/2 hrs away . I have a pickup and the seller has a skid steer to lift it. My brother in-law has a tractor to unload it once I get home but...I will need to get it down my basement also.
I have a couple questions about hauling it.

Should I put the table all the way down ? I have read to put some hard foam under the table while hauling.
Is it ok to use the lifting rods to put straps on while strapping it Down ?

Once I get home I was thinking about taking the unit off the base for ease of getting down the basement. Would that be ok ?
Or maybe I should take it apart while I haul it.

Any advice/tips from the experts ?

Thanks

jet planer.jpg