Rolling Cradle for Removing Engine?

[Lostranger]

Now that the weather has turned, I'm gearing up to pull the DD S-40 from my '99 Gillig Low Floor. Thinking about ways to move it. Working outside on grass, but I'll put down some sort of wooden floor. Not much room over the engine for a hoist.

I've considered renting or buying a fork lift, but I'd rather not. My current thinking is that a cradle dolly on four rubber tires might do the trick. It would need something like a scissor lift. Anyone done this or have helpful ideas? I've not found anything on the web.

TIA

Jim in NC

P.S. This engine is identical to an International DT530E if that helps your thinking.

[luvrbus]

Jim, a pallet jack is your best friend it's so easy to make a cradle for the engine to use a pallet jack,and they are cheap around 250 bucks new. You will need a good a couple of sheets of floor decking plywood

[chessie4905]

I would think of moving coach away from engine instead of moving engine away from coach. You could use a pallet jack with pallet and secure engine to it with three or four ratchet straps to keep it upright. Jack it up enough to just release from coach and then move coach away from it.

[luvrbus]

1/4 in angle iron made to set on the pallet jack I never use straps,took me about 30 minutes to fab the front and rear cradle to pull my series 60 I thought about modifying the ones for the 92 and 71 but just built another set so I had both.Rolling the bus works too but sorta of a PITA leveling, plugging air lines,airing up and pulling the bus then pushing it back   

[Lostranger]

Pallet jack is a great idea. Thanks Clifford.

I'll be moving the engine and not the bus. We live in the bus, and it will be blocked high and level by the time the engine is loose.

Seems a shame that the industrial pallet jack I've had for 25 years was stolen last summer. Oh well....

Jim

[bigred]

They had a cradle for the 4104's and I know that Steve Weatherford has used one in different applications.

[oltrunt]

Hi Jim.  Glad to hear from you, but sorry about the engine.  Check Craig's List for a pallet jack.  I got mine for free.  Lots of folks buy them and use them once and then trip over them for the next five years----Jack

[luvrbus]

HD and Lowes replace pallet jacks every so often ask a manger sometimes they will give you one if you ask nice 

[rgrauto]

You can also use quarter of an inch channel four inches wide etc to place under the dolly wheels,should be strong enough,just a thought. May need to lock them together to keep them from turning over,moving etc.

[TomC]

Pallet jacks are normally 48" long. They make longer pallet jacks that are around 7ft long-that's what you should use since the 6cylinder is longer than a 8V. Make a cradle out of wood and the pallet jack and you should be able to pull the engine. Course with a couple of sheets of 3/4" plywood underneath. Good Luck, TomC

[lostagain]

I think the small front wheels of a pallet jack will dig in to plywood and be hard to pull. I would rather use steel channel or some similar steel to make it easier to roll.

When I pulled the engine out of my Courier 96, I built a rolling cradle with rails on top that matches the height and diameter of the bus's cradle (3" if I remember). I pulled the engine out of the bus and onto it with a come-along. I pulled it back in with the come-along. I used pry bars for the last few inches. Worked good for me. My cradle has caster wheels to roll it around in the shop. I remember one wheel breaking. It is heavy!

JC

[zubzub]

+1 on Pallet jack because dollies are horrible when heavily weighted on anything but a perfect surface.  and even then the load has to be well balanced....pallet jacks are more forgiving re surface and balance.

[TomC]

http://www.globalindustrial.com/g/material-handling/pallet-trucks-jacks/premium/wesco-extra-long-fork-pallet-jack-truck

[Lostranger]

Thanks so much to all who've responded. All the input is helpful and much appreciated.

Jim

[Oonrahnjay]

Thanks so much to all who've responded. All the input is helpful and much appreciated.

Jim

     Best wishes from me, too, Jim.  Hope you get it set up and everything goes easily.