How heavy are these machines?
A lot heavier than most people expect. These figures come from the specifications on our current listings:
| Machine | Weight | Dimensions (L x W x H) | Power listed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 Haas VF-4 | 13,500 lb | 126" x 110" x 118" | 208 / 230 V, 3-phase |
| 2001 Mori Seiki SV-503B | 15,430 lb | 101" x 93" x 112" | 220 V, 3-phase |
| 2016 Haas VF-5/50XT | 16,250 lb | 168" x 102" x 130" | 440 V, 3-phase |
| Mazak Integrex e-650HS/2000 | 77,900 lb | 368" x 155" x 155" | See listing |
Figures are as recorded in each listing. Confirm with the seller before you plan a move.
Checklist before you buy
- Weight and dimensions. Get both, and ask whether they include the chip conveyor, coolant tank and any attachments. Check the heaviest single piece, not just the total.
- Your floor. A machine of this weight sits on a concrete slab of adequate thickness and quality. Ask a structural or machinery-installation professional what your floor needs, especially for the largest machines.
- The route in. Measure door openings, ceiling height and overhead obstructions, and check the path from the truck to the final position. Check turning space for the forklift or skates, and the slope and surface of the route.
- Power. Compare the machine's voltage, phase and kVA with your building supply. If they don't match, you need a transformer or phase converter, and an electrician. Our Kitamura HX250iF, for example, lists 200 to 220 V, three-phase, 25 kVA.
- Compressed air. Most machines need a clean, dry supply at a set pressure for the tool changer, door and clamp functions.
- Coolant and chip handling. Plan where the coolant tank, conveyor and chip bin go and how they get emptied.
- Leveling and anchoring. Ask whether the machine needs to be anchored or just leveled on its feet, and whether you need foundation or leveling pads.
Who does what
Agree in writing, before payment, who is responsible for each step:
- Disconnection and preparation at the seller's site: draining coolant, securing the axes and tool changer, disconnecting power and air.
- Loading onto the truck, and the equipment used to do it.
- Trucking and who books and pays the carrier.
- Insurance while the machine is in transit, and who carries it.
- Unloading and setting at your shop.
- Reconnection, leveling and start-up, including the electrician.
Use an experienced machinery rigger for heavy machines. They carry the equipment and insurance for it and know how to secure axes and delicate parts for transport.
After it arrives
- Inspect for transit damage before you sign the delivery paperwork, and photograph anything you find.
- Level the machine and let it settle before you check geometry.
- Restore the control's parameters and offsets from the backup made before the move. See the inspection checklist.
- Run a warm-up and a test part before you cut production work.
Questions
How much does it cost to move a CNC machine?
It depends on weight, distance, access at each end and the equipment needed. Get quotes from machinery riggers early and compare them with the machine price. Heavy machines and difficult access cost more.
Can I move a CNC machine myself?
Smaller machines can sometimes be moved with the right equipment, but machines in the 13,000 to 78,000 lb range need professional riggers. A dropped machine is a total loss and a serious safety hazard.
Will my building's power run it?
Compare the machine's required voltage, phase and kVA with your supply. A transformer or phase converter can bridge a mismatch, but an electrician should size it.
Who insures the machine in transit?
Agree this in writing before payment. Riggers and carriers carry their own insurance, but confirm the coverage and whose policy applies.