Today was the car lift delivery day so it was pins and needles waiting. Jim was told it would be after noon but no more definite time than that. He asked for a call an hour before but that usually doesn't happen. But Jim had done all due diligence in planning for getting it off the truck and a couple contingency plans to boot. He plugged the Bobcat in this morning and then later got the forks on and had it ready to go.
He didn't want to start a big project and then have to stop in the middle but he still got things accomplished. He got another coat of polyurethane on the MDF...
Then he welded the brackets on another steel beam - here's he's grinding the welds.
About 2:15, Jim got a call from the driver that he was in Saratoga and heading our way. Jim told him his concerns: the lift is very heavy - almost a ton - and it's long and skinny so it can only go in the truck one way. Jim can use the forks on the Bobcat on the skinny side but that's a lot of weight very far out in front of the Bobcat. Jim talked to the company about bringing it on a flat bed truck but that would have been an extra $400 plus then it's exposed to the elements along the way. Thankfully, the lift was loaded so that it was at the end of the truck - Jim had chains ready to attach and pull it to the back of the truck if necessary. The driver was very helpful too which is always a plus.
Getting the forks into the end...
It's out of the truck! Jim was so impressed with the Bobcat - it did great carrying all the weight even like this!
Once it was down on the ground, Jim was able to maneuver the Bobcat to the side and carry it that way so that the weight was distributed...
Starting the trek up the hill...
The lift is wider than Jim plowed the driveway!
It's up to the carriage house - first big hurdle!
Next, Jim brought it slowly into the auto bay...
We set it down on wood pieces to protect the floor...
Then Jim came in the other garage door...
And set up to maneuver the lift into where it will stay for awhile...
Setting it down on the wood in between the two bays...
Jim was able to maneuver the Bobcat and head out...
Success! It's all safe and the whole procedure went very smoothly. Jim always plans things out to cover all issues because you just never know what you'll run into. But it's here and looks fabulous. No rush on getting it installed - that will be a whole other challenge for another day!
At the end of the day, Jim did a little more welding and working in the metal shop.
So grateful that all went well with the lift delivery. The timing couldn't have been any better. We got 6" of snow Tuesday/Wednesday and now we are headed for scary cold temperatures. We are under a wind chill advisory for temperatures down to -25! We'll have a frigid weekend and then more snow is on the say for the beginning of the week. This was the perfect window of opportunity! Definitely celebration time tonight!
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| High 22/Low 2 - wind chill advisory |
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