Church Bell move today

[Spidubic]

Well today is the day we are headed to Burlington to move the church bell. We debated movers, tow truck, landscapers, but in the end after talking to several people have decided to move it ourselves. Rented a small U-Haul this morning. I have some super heavy duty casters rated at 400 pounds each which I have mounted on a wooden platform I built that hopefully will allow us to wheel the bell onto the truck. The bell sits on a terrace and since the ramp sit low on the truck it should mean a very slight grade. Hard part is going to be getting the bell on the cart. Approximate weight is 500-1000 pounds. We went down Wednesday night so I could measure it and test the weight. 36" across at the bottom and I can lift one side off the ground which is a good sign.

So fingers crossed that tonight we will have the bell sitting in our front yard.

[observer]

Good luck

[gale force]

Watch the back!!!! Remember, lift with the knees!!

[kishgo]

Sounds so exciting! Can you post pictures when you have it at your place?

[Rick Wisson]

Sounds so exciting! Can you post pictures when you have it at your place?

.
Yes good idea .

[Spidubic]

We are back and all in one piece. Bell move was not as hard as I had expected. My home built cart worked very well.

Here is the flat cart I made to move it on. Casters underneath are good for 400 pounds each.



No pictures of where it was sitting but it was on some flagstone on a garden terrace about a foot above where the truck was parked which made for a very shallow ramp angle. Four people pulled the bell back and a fifth slid the cart under and held it steady while the bell was lowered. Then a bit of shifting to get it centered on the cart and the cart lined up with the ramp. With pretty much a straight level run up the ram the pushing was pretty easy.

These shots are of the bell after we arrived home before untying. It did shift slightly left of where it started but not too much. I placed the 2x4's like that figuring if the bell rolled backwards they would push against the door and hold it there.



A shot with my foot to show size. Bell is 36" across at the mouth and weight is somewhere between 500 and 1000 pounds. My wife's father actual bought the steeple of a church in Delhi they were tearing down many, many years ago. Apparently paid $1 for the steeple with the bell in it.



And here is how she landed at the house. It was just me and the wife at this point. Once I undid the ropes and started pushing the bell was headed for the door come hell or high water. All I could do was line it up with the ramp and pray. About 1/2 way down the cart veered right and the bell in an effort to preserve itself ejected and landed on the ground. Dug a nice divot as well.



We have the side pieces to hold the bell and in time I will built a flat frame to mount them on so the bell actually sits as it should.

And just to make sure all was well I pulled the clacker up and let her fall. A nice gong was made.

[kishgo]

Incredible Spidubic. I love the idea of the church bell in your yard. Hmmm, you should talk to your FIL and have both at your place!!
Thanks for taking the time to share your story. I'm in awe.

[Spidubic]

Father in law sadly passed away before I met my wife. Steeple is actually at the Walsh Public School.

[Rick Wisson]

[Rick Wisson]

The cheer is for kishgo last post not yours Spidubic.

[Spidubic]

Got the bell sitting upright tonight.



Next on the agenda is to make a base for it and mount the uprights that hold the bell. Then see if we can get a nice churchbell gong. Had neighbours from either side over tonight to check it out. Bell is now the talk of the neighbourhood.

[kishgo]

I'm in awe of your acquistion and the fact that it's at your home. Fascinating.

[Rick Wisson]

If the shaft on the bell is 3/4 inch I have a pair of pillow block bearings I will give them to you if you need them.

[kishgo]

For Me? Perhaps for your neighbours! LOL

[Rick Wisson]

For the bell. If you need a pair I have more.

[Spidubic]

Have to check but I think that shaft is at least 1", maybe 1 1/4".

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