Super excited as I have found a 48", 10 shaft Mac and she's coming home next weekend. We have a pick up truck to haul her in and the drive is about 5 hours from home. Is there someone with experience moving a large and heavy loom like this that can offer advice how to move, lift, wrap, and secure for the drive home? I believe this loom weighs about 350 lbs??

Comments

Sun, 02/09/2014 - 22:07

mneligh

Michael White is your man!  He's done it countless times.  I've only moved my big Mac once -- the other thimes were done by professional movers.  The short answer is tie everything -- I mean everything -- so it can't move around.

I'm sure Michael will respond soon.

Sun, 02/09/2014 - 23:06

Michael White

350-370 is about right. I have transported a 56/16 in my small S-10 pickup. I have a set of wheels I clamp on to move my looms. Pictures below. If you can get it out of were ever with out taking it apart that is great. Using cords/ropes tie everything up including all the treadles. Stand the loom  on its end with the bottom facting the truck. Back the truck to with in 3 feet and lay the loom over on to the tail gate  (the bottom still on the ground) then lift the end off the ground an let the loom tip upright and side it into the truck. If you use the wheels you could use a ramp (for loading a rideing mower or small tracker). If the weather is nice you can now just tie down (I use store purchased tie down staps) You are ready to go down the road. I have moved 6 big macs this way ( 2(56s), 4 (48s) and a 32/16. The longest trip from MI to GA around 1400 miles. 

Have a safe trip and enjoy your new loom,

Michael

Going to do a show.

 

 

Sun, 02/09/2014 - 23:22

macontavern

We recently moved a 48 inch 8 harness Mac and didn't have wheels, ramp, etc. and had quite a few stairs and narrow turns to make. Being new to a loom, I had to make sure I could get it to work when we go home. To move it we did the following: removed the harnesses from the loom and laid them flat one on top of the other with padding in between each one. We also took off the beater bar and reed that was in the beater bar. We then took off the front cloth beam along with the washer on left end and the crank handle on the right side. The last thing we removed was the foot rest bar. After removing the items we were able to collapse in the front and back of the loom and secure with straps. (Note - bungie cords with S or hooks on end were not helpful) We were then able to pick up the loom with 2 strong people who are use to lifting from the bottom of each end of the castle. We were then able to maneuver through the house to the stairs. If possible, and you have stairs outside, either back up to the stairs if you can or have extra help to get down the stairs. We then put in the truck with the end of the castle against the truck cab and padded the loom and secured with additional straps. If you have any questions about what we did, feel free to send me a private message. When we got the loom home, we put the items back on the loom that we removed before we forgot where they went. It only took a few minutes.

Sun, 02/09/2014 - 23:22

macontavern

We recently moved a 48 inch 8 harness Mac and didn't have wheels, ramp, etc. and had quite a few stairs and narrow turns to make. Being new to a loom, I had to make sure I could get it to work when we go home. To move it we did the following: removed the harnesses from the loom and laid them flat one on top of the other with padding in between each one. We also took off the beater bar and reed that was in the beater bar. We then took off the front cloth beam along with the washer on left end and the crank handle on the right side. The last thing we removed was the foot rest bar. After removing the items we were able to collapse in the front and back of the loom and secure with straps. (Note - bungie cords with S or hooks on end were not helpful) We were then able to pick up the loom with 2 strong people who are use to lifting from the bottom of each end of the castle. We were then able to maneuver through the house to the stairs. If possible, and you have stairs outside, either back up to the stairs if you can or have extra help to get down the stairs. We then put in the truck with the end of the castle against the truck cab and padded the loom and secured with additional straps. If you have any questions about what we did, feel free to send me a private message. When we got the loom home, we put the items back on the loom that we removed before we forgot where they went. It only took a few minutes.

Mon, 02/10/2014 - 00:02

Jang

Both responses are very helpful and I appreciate such quick responses!! I'll make sure we have plenty of tie down cords and blankets for padding! And at least two very strong guys plus another one or two. I'm super excited about this new to me loom and ready to get her home and warped :) I'm also new to this great site, you are all very helpful to help answer questions! I should probably start another post as I will need to either buy more hooks, super hooks or change over the tie ups to Texsolv. Would like to hear other opinions before I order either one.
Mon, 02/10/2014 - 13:36

mneligh

The lamms are metal, and not very thick.  I contemplated texsolv and decided aginst it out of concern for the lamms cutting through the texsolv.  I have not had problems with hooks -- or rather, if I'm having a hook malfunction, I can see and usually feel it.  A lot of my weaves require over 100 hooks, and I've had this loom for over 30 years.  

My goal in this was to cut down noise, and I have texsolv on another, quieter loom.  I did change the heddles on the most-used shafts to inserted eye, however.