Old brick buildings in Chicago and the inner suburbs have narrow doors and floors that may not take a forklift. Getting a machine out often means a roof opening, an alley door and a planned crane pick.
Machinery rigging is the work of getting a heavy machine from one place to another without damaging it or the building. It includes picking the right slings and spreader bars, finding the lift points, lifting with a crane, and setting the machine on its new spot or on a truck. In Chicago, that might be a press going into a shop in Cicero, a generator for a building downtown, or a printing machine leaving a West Side warehouse.
Every move starts with the weight and the lift points. Most machines have a nameplate or a manual that lists the weight, and many have marked lift points. If not, ask the maker, or have the rigging plan work them out from the machine's size and build. The rigging itself adds weight, and it counts against what the crane can lift at that reach.
Getting a machine out of an older brick building is often the hard part. Doors are narrow, floors may not hold a forklift, and the only clear path may be a roof hatch or an alley loading door. We look at the path in and out, the truck spot and the crane set-up, and put the plan and the price in writing.
Machinery rigging & moving in Chicago: common questions
What do you need to know to move a machine?
The weight, the size, the lift points, where it is now and where it goes. Photos of the path out of the building help a lot.
Can a crane lift a machine out through the roof?
Sometimes. It depends on the opening, the roof structure and the reach. We look at the building and plan it with you.
Who disconnects the machine?
Your electrician, plumber or the machine's service tech should disconnect power, air and fluids before the lift and reconnect them after.
How it works
- Free site look: Call, text or send photos. We look at the load, the access and where the crane can set up.
- Lift plan & written quote: Crane size, crew, time on site and price in writing.
- Permits & set-up: We check which street, sidewalk or airspace permits the lift needs before the day.
- Lift day: The crew sets up, rigs the load, makes the lift and packs up.