Is this adequate to ship an engine? Options

[skline]

I got this thing all ready to go and was wondering if it was good enough to ship? It is going by FedEx Freight if I can get it over there today. It is straped down with a ratching tie down and then plumbers tape on the engine bar and exhaust pipes. It seems pretty solid and firm to the pallet. What do you think?

[dr914@autoatlanta.com]

shipping companies stack so the top end may get crushed. Also I would use heavy strapping to cinch it to the pallet. We usually put the engine in a box, and stuff it with bubble wrap. That solves all.

[skline]

I shipped a V6 like this but it was through like one of the big freight companies, I did wrap it with plastic however but they didnt stack anything on it. They can put this one on top! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[SteveL]

I agree with George - Trucking company will set something on top of it with a fork lift. Box it for sure, and make the box top insanely over built. Don't believe them when they tell you "we won't stack on top of it"

[Series9]

That's exactly how I ship my engines. It'll be fine and they won't stack stuff on top of it.

[machina]

this is how RAT ships, nice crate.

[skline]

this is how RAT ships, nice crate.

It would cost me what I got for the engine to build that box, RAT charges enough to cover that, I didnt (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

[Series9]

The 3.6 and 3.2 arrived like this:

[GaroldShaffer]

That's exactly how I ship my engines. It'll be fine and they won't stack stuff on top of it.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) My 2.2 from Eric came that way, no problems. I would wrap a trap or something over it.

[McMark]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)

It'll be fine, most likely. Especially if it's a core motor.

Here's my last crate:

[Andyrew]

Stickers everywhere that say
" DO NOT TOP LOAD"
then Idiot under them...

Then you'll be just fine.

[grantsfo]

The pro's like AA and Jake understand what it takes to protect a motor in freight enviroment. Others are just lucky. Anyone who has been around a distribution enviroment understands that a careless forklift driver could easily run a fork into a motor or poorly load freight on top of the motor. I have watched dock workers from all major freight companies destroy shipments by mistake.

If the engine is of any value to you should remove headers and build a crate around it. The engine you show is not balanced on a cheap pallet and has a little overhang that might catch on other freight. I'd say it has a 80% chance of making it OK. 20% chance of getting banged up. Where is it going? Since youre in Southern Cal its likely going to a big terminal where lots of freight moves so it will likely only get loaded into one trailer on outbound. Depending on where its going it might get unloaded and reloaded a couple times. So you'll have a few fork drivers testing their skills with this shipment. With each move your odds of shipment damage wil increase.

So at least now you're making a calculated gamble if you decide to ship it this way. I know some higher quality companies that would refuse your shipment until properly crated.

[skline]

TI know some higher quality companies that would refuse your shipment until properly crated.

Well, I know of one now also, FedEx freight would not accept the motor without some kind of box around it. At this point, I dont have the lumber to build one and if I did, I would not get it done and back in time.

Eric, I'm sorry I could not get it done for you, I did try but there is a point where you just have to say, forget it. It's now 5:10 and the place is 30 minutes from here with no traffic, after 5 the traffic makes it a 50 minute run. It would easily take me 30 minutes to run to home depot to get the wood to build a box around it and then probably a good 30 to 45 to build the box, and to get down there in time would be impossible. There are other factors making this impossible right now. I wish there was a way but I just dont see it.

I am going to leave it on the pallet and I will build a box around it for the next guy who wants to try shipping it. Your refund will be on it's way momentarily. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

[eric914]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

Thanks for trying. I'll see if I cant find one in driving distance. Anyone got a motor within 200 or so miles of Cincinnati OH?

[computers4kids]

I wouldn't ship without a crate...it only costs about $10 to make. It would only take one bad bump to destroy something...at least if you're sending a complete motor. If you're only sending a core, I guess you're OK. If it was me, I'd still put it in a crate.

[jim_hoyland]

I received a tranny attached to a pallet that was wrapped tightly to the pallet with that clear plastic wrap. Held everything in place and no discernable blems.

[LarryR]

I have shipped 3 engines that way. They all arrived just fine. I would be more worried with the fancy crates that someone would set an engine on top of it and it would crush my home made crate (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Mike D.]

I just sent this one today...

[Jake Raby]

Those crates use is the reason why I have only had ONE engine damaged in shipping in the past 11 years...

I tell customers that are shipping core engines not to worry about an actual engine crate, because we are going to toss away 1/2 the engine anyway and there is no need for the hassle and cost at the beginning of the process.

I would NEVER, EVER think of shipping a completed RAT engine without it being secured inside a crate...

Also, realize the class you ship the engine at, if you use a class 70 for a used engine the freight company is limited to paying you 3.50 per pound of freight shiipped IF the engine is damaged. Class 85 is 5.00 per pound, class 100 is 10.00/pound and class 125 is 15.00/ LB. I generally ship class 150 even though its the highest rate because it will pay up to 25.00/ pound....

Keep this in mind and know that fed Ex Freight IS the BEST shipper in N. America- period...

[Matt Romanowski]

Jake - You realize you can just purchase extra insurance, right? Much cheaper than shipping as the wrong class. Also, you have to make sure you use the proper NMFC #.

Make sure you put large sheets on the pallet that say "DO NOT DOUBLE STACK" and "RACK SHIP ONLY". Mark it on the BOL and that is about the best you can do.