how big was it on the pallet when it as delivered. I am planning to use my trailer to pick up Phil's observatory in Rockhampton and i was wondering what this really packs down to? can anyone help? Also what packaging or supports will i need?
From memory when mine was delivered, it was on a pallet slightly bigger than half a dome size, 2.3/4 meters and the height of the dome from the base ring, the sides were packed onto the pallet within the half dome.
When I dismantled mine for my move from Bermagui to Cootamundra, the whole unit fitted onto a Hilux ute trayback with a slight overhang, when I moved it from my dark sky site to the townhouse I was living in.
When you do pack it, you will need plenty of removal blankets to stop the rubbing together, I actually managed to get mine in the rear of the removal van for transport to Coota.
All the side units should fit on top of each other with the side units with bins at the top, if there is more than one bin, they will fit over each other with removal blankets between.
From memory when mine was delivered, it was on a pallet slightly bigger than half a dome size, 2.3/4 meters and the height of the dome from the base ring, the sides were packed onto the pallet within the half dome.
When I dismantled mine for my move from Bermagui to Cootamundra, the whole unit fitted onto a Hilux ute trayback with a slight overhang, when I moved it from my dark sky site to the townhouse I was living in.
When you do pack it, you will need plenty of removal blankets to stop the rubbing together, I actually managed to get mine in the rear of the removal van for transport to Coota.
All the side units should fit on top of each other with the side units with bins at the top, if there is more than one bin, they will fit over each other with removal blankets between.
A standard 6 x 4 trailer won't do.
Cheers
no John that was not the news I wanted to know
!!! what if i construced a "pallet" on top of the trailer and tied everything down on that?
Well, I dunno, the 2 largest pieces are the 2 dome halves, they are 2.3 meters wide, you can put one on top of the other with packing so that will be your size to work with, height won't be a problem.
The walls will fit between the dome halves but will stick out a bit so at a minimum I would say you would be looking at something about 2.4 meters long by about 1.8/2m wide, I don't think I would like to have it on top of a small box trailer, I would be a bit concerned about security of the load.
Unless all the original packing and the pallet is available you may be pushing it a bit, on the original pallet the whole thing was screwed down and tightly bound in real heavy duty plastic.
Sorry, but I think it might be a little bigger than you realise.
i think i could do that - either hunt up a pallet or make one up to suit? so 2m by 2.4, some foam, a heap of tie down straps. Possible? maybe bolt the pallet to the trailer top, then tie it of to the original trailer tie down locations? I might experiment with this tomorrow?, get some marine ply and a few bracing timbers?
You may need to base your loading on those photo's, the inner dome rings (3 of them), the shutters (upper and lower) and the inner wall join covers may be able to be stored in the bottom of the trailer, if the manual is available, make sure you get it, you will need to follow it carefully when you put the upper shutter on again, there will also be a few odds and ends that will need to be packed as well as all the nuts, bolts and flat washers etc.
John this help has been crucial to me - i would have got up there and not been prepared enough, then stuffed around and waste precious time trying to make things work?
Only other thing I would add is that the standard sized pallets won't do, I think they classify the one used as a double pallet so you may have to custom make one to suit, if you can get hold of removalist blankets, get plenty of them overwise you will certainly scratch and mark the fibreglass.
Can't think of anything else offhand, PM me if you need anymore info.
Ask the original owner for his, one came with the pallet, any spare parts you might need can be ordered direct from Sirius, on my move I had to replace the guide wheels on the upper shutter, you may also want to replace the weather sealing strips as well, I just got replacement stripping from Bunnings.
Bold move... John could give you an estimated tear down and set up time. Its not a "walk in the park" 1 hour job. The manual will hint at this. Make sure you keep all the nuts and bolts. Label as much as possible as you go with stickers. If its motorised certainly label the dome rotation tracks if you remove them as you'll need to match them back up again. Certainly a 6x4 trailer isn't going to cut it.
Bold move... John could give you an estimated tear down and set up time. Its not a "walk in the park" 1 hour job. The manual will hint at this. Make sure you keep all the nuts and bolts. Label as much as possible as you go with stickers. If its motorised certainly label the dome rotation tracks if you remove them as you'll need to match them back up again. Certainly a 6x4 trailer isn't going to cut it.
originally I estimating about 8 hours to deconstruct and pack - i hope it wont be longer than that thanks for the manual jase
hOughy here is a pic of it on a 2.3m trailer.
I bought my back from Brizzy to Whyalla 2500km's on a trailer so you shouldn't have a problem. Just be sure to take it easy and rope it down well.
hOughy here is a pic of it on a 2.3m trailer.
I bought my back from Brizzy to Whyalla 2500km's on a trailer so you shouldn't have a problem. Just be sure to take it easy and rope it down well.
wow now that really puts things into perspective. thank you Ken for that. i am now wondering if i should hire a larger trailer?
That should be plenty of time, I am asuming that you will have help.
Cheers
yes is certaily will, Phil and Alan Meehan who volunteered to come with me. I just looked into getting a removalist truck from Europecar - going to cost me about $1500 just to get it there - without fuels costs. Now looking at building a tray top for my trailer. if i make the top a standard 2400 long how wide will it need to be?
what if i construced a "pallet" on top of the trailer and tied everything down on that?
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thanks for the manual jase
