Crate for shipping engine & gear box help?

Skyguyz · Aug 29, 2011

Need some more excellent advice here on crating a Norton engine, gear box and some misc parts, (mostly clutch assembly.)

Some internet "experts" say to drain fluids, (this much I know about haz mat spills) and to use moving saran wrap, then use plywood & 2x4's and tie downs. Hummm.
Or, use big plastic bin with plywood in bottom and thick form with zip tie lid. Hummm.

Or build metal stand enclosure, (I don't have metal work tools.)

What is the preferred method or what would you do?

Thanks in advance again,

Skyguyz

: )

Hummm.

Crate for shipping engine & gear box help?

Hummm

grandpaul · Aug 29, 2011

I've shipped at least a dozen engines on FedEx, always in large rubbermaid tub with 1/4" plywood in the bottom and stiff foam around the sides, zip-tied lid.

It works out to under $1 / lb. with plenty of insurance, shipped regular ground.

comnoz · Aug 29, 2011

I always build boxes from 1/2 and 3/4 inch plywood and drywall screws. Then I put a couple of metal handles on it to make it easier for the UPS man. If you keep them happy then you are ahead of the game. Jim

rvich · Aug 29, 2011

I just shipped a bunch of parts packed into a cooler. As far as I know it worked out OK. They are cheap and tough. I cut lengths of pipe insulation to make super-sized popcorn.

On bigger stuff, I would spend the money on ratchet straps and build the crate so that I could tension everything with the straps.

Shipped my 750 via Alaska Airlines that way!

Russ

rpatton · Aug 29, 2011

If the engine and trans aren't bolted together it might be a good idea to box and ship them separately. As often as not, things get hammered by the other items in the box as much as having the box get smashed.

grandpaul · Aug 29, 2011

The large rubbermaid tub with built in rollers holds a Norton engine in 3 lumps (power unit, primary & tranny) very nicely, with room for a small box on top for the carbs and miscellaneous hardware.

You can pour in a layer of peanuts, foam sheet or bubble wrap in the bottom, then a sheet of 1/4" plywood, then pack the 3 lumps in with stiff foam in petween parts and tub sides (I use thin wood paneling with bubble wrap on the sides), then lay a trach bag on top and fill to the top with peanuts.

I've never had so much as a chipped fin or scuffed cover in more than a dozen shipments. Plus, I ALWAYS insure for full value regardless of condition.

Jeandr · Aug 29, 2011

Pack it so that it does not move, because if it moves it will be damaged, simple :!:

Jean

Hobot · Aug 29, 2011

Heavy odd shaped stuff should be fastened to the container not able to flop around in handling or drops. Alternative is to get plastic bags and spray can urethane foam and fill em till wedged in shock protected but no mess to remove custom fit, if box robust enough to take some pressure.

Hehe here's how I sent a crank in a bucket to Zint at LIndskogs. Had to blunt ends not to poke through bucket then simple pad to keep it centered inside. Saved a few bux on container shipping weight

Skyguyz · Aug 29, 2011

Wow, I am nothing less than impressed with the replies. I have rethought my crating due to the tips here and will post a pix when I'm done.
Again, thanks for the timely responses.

Skyguyz

KSUWildcatFan · Aug 29, 2011

Just shipped a complete 750 motor (in pieces) via fedex ground using a large rubber tote with plywood lining the bottom to help distribute wright. They packed some packing paper inside to keep things from moving around and then taped the crap out of it. Cost was $85 (it weighed 92.5lbs).

I recommend signing up for a fedex acct. It will get you a 20-30% discount.

Now I get to ship the frame and transmission..

-Jordan

Skyguyz · Aug 30, 2011

With the help of the great replies from the membership here I am confident my engine and separately packed gearbox will arrive safely.

Thanks again for the help.

Skyguyz

*The two rear tiedowns are connected to the engine mount with plate steel tabs with holes. All the eye screws are the thru type with bolt thru a 2x2

*cheepo Walmart Queen mattress pad, cut up.

Hobot · Aug 30, 2011

Pretty clever and robust and handy crating. Is the wood plate fastened to the tub?
Will something be put on top to support plastic lid crush by who knows what?
The peanuts are a non sense feature to me, no protection at all for this mass and messy hassle to opener, maybe enough to fumble while tipping upside down while mumbling choice words with bad thoughts towards further efforts. The suran wrap don't make sense to me either, more hassle to unwrap and whats a bit of shipping dust to an exposed road going finish anyway. Its not a painted tank or piece of wood work. Check by dropping sideways a foot of so and on its ends too. I don't have too much faith in them plastic tubs having seen them faigue and crease and crack if unsupported to budge and buckle the walls or handle area. I'd duct or Al tape or even clear box tape around rim and up the sides.
Don't expect an engine builder to rewrap or beef up your plastic tub, likely will ship back his own over padded way.

grandpaul · Aug 31, 2011

Overkill on the straps. Easier to just use stiff molded styrofoam for better stability.

I mark the tubs in day-glo orange paint "FRAGILE", outlined in jagged lines, on all 4 sides and top.

Jeandr · Aug 31, 2011

I'm with Hobot, a plywood crate built around the engine would have been better protection as long as the engine is bolted to it, but if it will be shipped only within the US, what you have done may be OK since it won't be going through so many hands.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAOqJ--N2sw

Jean

Hobot · Aug 31, 2011

Naw I like the plastic tub idea alot actually, just would make sure that the tub itself doesn't have to carry the loads of impacts and being under other boxes in bouncing trucks on bad sections of American freeways. I missed the 2x2 under braces on first glance, good move there to me. I'd be a bit pensive the straps don't go slack especially the short run pair. One thing that may nix this plastic tub even if its plenty to ship in is some if not all major shippers want cardboard box on out side, so better check on that. UPS or Am EX made me cover the plastic bucket in cardboard so found a box it just fit in fairly tight and taped in up for stability and handling. I cut hand holes and re-enforced with heavy tape so not easy to tear from lifting in a hurry by one handle to drag it to grab better. The heavier the crate the more it costs to ship ya know. There are also size factors shippers like to see so check on that too.

Exciting if was me making one more step ahead towards C'do Nirvana.

Skyguyz · Aug 31, 2011

Hobat,

"The suran wrap don't make sense to me either, more hassle to unwrap and whats a bit of shipping dust to an exposed road going finish anyway. Its not a painted tank or piece of wood work."

I did drain all the oil out of the engine. However....If one drop leaks from the package, you have a haz mat spill on your hands and the fines can be pretty steep.

Thanks for the nice comments though.

Sky

grandpaul · Aug 31, 2011

I've used the biggest rubbermaid tubs with wheels on both UPS & FedEx, never an issue with them wanting cardboard, and never a size issue; they aren't even oversize.

Plastic tub also precludes any possible hazmat issues.

Skyguyz · Aug 31, 2011

Thanks for the encouraging words Mr. granpaul. I will put some day-glo orange warnings on the sides as per your suggestion and add rope handles.

Zipped tied and ready for shipping!

On an unrelated note, I got my fenders back from Brent and they look fantastic!

lcrken · Jan 2, 2015

Just finished a crate for shipping hobot's engine to him for Ms. Peel. First time I've shipped a complete engine, and it was an interesting project.

Amazing what you can do with a circle saw and deck screws. I did fill the box with more packing material before closing it up, just in case.

Ken

KSUWildcatFan · Jan 2, 2015

Nice crate!

Crate for shipping engine & gear box help?

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