Made crate to ship powerhead. Think it will hold together?

[Mark42]

The power head from my 40hp twin is not really very large. I made a wood box 16" x 18" x 24" out of 3/8" flake board and 2x2. Made a cube from 2x2 and then screwed the flake board to it. Power head is wired to a 2x6 that is screwed to the base, which is reinforced with 1/2" plywood. The interior space is filled with rigid foam insulation (the pink suff I had left over from doing the basement). Cut and fit pieces of foam so the motor is wedged in tight top bottom & sides. Used a 2" hole saw and made hand hold holds in either end. I have not called UPS to pick it up yet. The crate feels solid, I have pushed it over and gave it some rough handleing. I don't hear the motor moving so I guess it is being held in place. <br /><br />My fear is that if it gets dropped it will break open. I would like to get it steel banded, but don't know where to go. Any ideas? Think it will arrive intact? Probably weighs around 50-60lbs.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Made crate to ship powerhead. Think it will hold together?

We've had powerheads shipped to us on nothing. Just a tag on it with the address and it was OK. We've went to great lengths, as do the factories, to make wooden crates and had them damaged.<br /><br />I would suggest that you call the builder and ask him to arrange for a pick up even if youre paying for freight. Most likely he has a deal with freight companies because of volume. If he wont do that perhaps he can recommend a carrier. <br /><br />It sounds like your crate is very well built but its been our experience that there are better carriers than UPS for that. If your builder has had good luck with UPS in his area then thats fine.<br /><br />Regardless of who you use, insure it for replacement costs. Especially if youre sending it dressed. Chances are 99.9% that it'll be fine.

 

[sangerwaker]

Re: Made crate to ship powerhead. Think it will hold together?

UPS packaging standards suggest that the item be able to withstand a 30 foot drop. <br /><br />Personally, I would not ship UPS. How far do you have to ship? If you check around and are willing to drop it off at their terminal, a freight carrier (truck line) will more than likely take better care fo the parcel, and not be much more expensive. Did you get a quote from UPS?

 

[Mark42]

Re: Made crate to ship powerhead. Think it will hold together?

30 ft drop? Geez, I guess they really have covered their butt with that standard. <br /><br />UPS quote from their website for ground from NJ to west PA is $35.<br /><br />Dhadly, I'll give them a call and see if they have negotiated rates with UPS and will have them pick it up from my house. <br /><br />Maybe I'll have it back together in time to break it in before the weather gets too cool. I really want to take a long ride up the Hudson river in fall. Could make for some great foliage pics.

 

[one more cast]

Re: Made crate to ship powerhead. Think it will hold together?

"UPS packaging standards suggest that the item be able to withstand a 30 foot drop." I beleive they told me a 4' drop. Anyway, I use ups quite a bit and have never recieved anything broken. When I ship small outboards I build my crates out of furing strips and cardboard. Here is what the buyers have to say...<br /><br />Best packing+crate ever seen,much appre.,perfect cond.super great job,EXCEL+++++<br /><br />Glad I bought this item from you. Quality, description and packaging were great<br /><br />Quick service. Well packed. Recommended<br /><br /><br />great transaction, love my new toy, well packed...arrived in perfect condition

 

[Wimperdink]

Re: Made crate to ship powerhead. Think it will hold together?

I had a friend that dealt with motorcycle engines and he regularily packed them in the tupperware tubs you buy from walmart. He'd pack them in cardboard and newspaper then tape the lid with a gallon of tape and ship it... never had a breakage problem. Sounds silly but those tubs will hold a lot of weight and gives them convientant handles to lesson chances of dropping.

 

[JasonJ]

Re: Made crate to ship powerhead. Think it will hold together?

I shipped a 33 horse powerhead last year in a crate I built. I used a piece of 1/2 inch ply for the bottom, and bolted the powerhead to it. I used 2x2 posts for the corners, and a piece of 1/2 inch ply for the top, all screwed together. I stapled cardboard on all six sides, then used packing tape on all edges to seal it. I shipped it UPS, and all was well.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Made crate to ship powerhead. Think it will hold together?

Simply wrap the crate with clear plastic that they use to wrap items on skids/pallets.Four times around both ways will hold it together even if it is dropped.Charlie