The footprint of a Bridgeport is very small compared to the top heavy
nature of the beast. I'd lift it a few inches, get a purpose built skid
underneath, and bolt the mill to the skid. Think 4x4's for the skid
runners and 2x12's as cross pieces. If you build it right you can bolt
it down to a trailer, slide it into a truck, or pick it up with a
(suitable) forklift.

Lots of previous discussions on the subject on this NG. Google is your
friend.

Vernon wrote:
Gentlemen,

Early next week I will depart on a 580 mile odyssey to fetch home my
new bridgeport mill. Thanks to Iggy (Thanks, Iggy!!!) I have a copy
of a bridgeport operation and maintenance manual.

The manual contains some illustrations and guidance on UNPACKING a
mill. I get the impression that this manual was printed for british
consumption. First, it mentions a Whitworth 3/4" J hook that screws
into the top of the head to be used as a lifting lug. Second, the
manual uses the word "whilst" and other distinctly british spellings.
But the machines were indeed manufactured in Bridgeport,
Connecticut... yes?

I have not yet resolved how to get the machine home. Plan A involves
me towing an 18' pintle hitch trailer behind our old 1 ton Ford diesel
van. The trailer is purpose built for moving backhoes. It is a very
stout trailer. With a backhoe on it, the trailer would be too heavy
for the Ford. But with a 2200 mill and 800 pound welder the gross
weight will be about 8,000 lbs, which I consider well within the
capacity of the 1 ton van. The van has fully steel belted, commercial
duty tires on it. The trailer has tandem axles and dual wheels all
around.

I recently bought the trailer and we re-wired it. This will be our
first major trip with it. Since it is an older trailer (1989?) this
afternoon I took it to Gary's, my tractor mechanic's, house for him to
inspect, service, and/or repair, as needed. Today Gary rebuilt the
tilt cylinders in my Case forklift which were hemorrhaging hydraulic
fluid. In short order he had the kits in, a hydraulic oil change, and
the forklift working like a champ. It is a Case 584CK. It will lift
4,000 pounds 22 feet into the air. This means I could drop the mill
through the roof if I chose to do so... ah, the powah!!!

By Monday afternoon, Gary will make a pronouncement as to whether the
trailer is seaworthy. If so, I will depart Monday night or Tuesday to
pick up the mill.

If Gary finds any serious problems that can't be fixed within 24 hours
I will go to "Plan B". This involves renting a Ryder truck.

Thus, I am confronting two possible scenarios for loading the
equipment and returning home with it. If I take the pintle hitch
trailer I intend to load the two items squarely over the axles. I
will drill holes through the floor of the trailer and bolt the mill
down with four 1/2" carriage bolts or something similar. I will even
use angle iron "stringers" as needed beneath the trailer to ensure
that the mill is tight as a fiddle bow. I will also strap and chain
it.

If I take a Ryder truck however, I'm less certain as to how to secure
the machine. Those trucks have aluminum boxes with steel stanchions
every 4 feet or so. Along the sides, about 36" from the floor, are
some 1x4 smooth wooden rails. These do not seem very sturdy to me.
Also, I probably will catch grief from drilling holes in the floor of
the truck. Also, even though the trucks have tommy lifts, I will
still have to roll the machine some 20 feet forward into the cavernous
box of the truck.

Is it a viable plan to set the thing down on a pallet jack? I'm not
sure the foot print of the mill is even big enough to catch the legs
of the jack.

Once I get there, the seller will load me. But then they will wash
their hands and close the door.

I have moved things this heavy. But not this "concentrated" and not
with this high of a center of gravity.

Therefore, I will welcome the benefit of the experience of those who
have been through the drill previously. As always, thanks!

V