B.Ikard Posted March 5, 2005 Posted March 5, 2005 Gents, I bought a 325 series cast iron Briggs on ebay a few weeks back. The seller shipped and gave me a Fed Ex tracking number so I assumed all is well. The shipping was less than $50.00 which I thought was great from Berlin WI to Marietta GA. After checking the tracking something looked wrong, and an email revealed Fed Ex returned the engine to the seller??? A later email to the seller revealed he must remove oil pan and starter/generator and put in another box to ship, and basically wants to call the deal off and refund my money. I suggested he check UPS but have not had a reply. OK...the question-I understand UPS will ship up to 150 lbs.....has anybody used UPS or somebody else to ship a 100 LB engine? Can anybody recommend or suggest a NON TRUCK FREIGHT shipper for this engine. I can not imagine this would be such a problem. I am sure somebody has shipped one of these Anybody have any ideas or suggestions? Ike
BLT Posted March 5, 2005 Posted March 5, 2005 Didn't the seller box it up? A reasonable size carton and two weeks of wadded up newspaper to make one package would remove any Fed Ex's requests. I have shipped a vertical shaft 8 and 12 HP engine using the aove via UPS and no problem.
Mack Posted March 5, 2005 Posted March 5, 2005 I shipped a Briggs 23D to GA. from OH. a couple years ago UPS.I think shipping was in the $40.00-$50.00 range.It did not have the starter/generator on it.I used a very sturdy cardboard box with hand holes cut in it to make it easier to lift/carry.
SmilinSam Posted March 5, 2005 Posted March 5, 2005 I've shipped a couple like this and hate doing it. Cast Iron Engine are a big pain to package and ship. Heres what you seller is looking at for UPS charges to deliver two packages to you. Engine in one box and starter & bracket in another: Daily pickup, which he probably does not have: $71.03 Counter rate: $104.14 Removing the pan wont help the weight at all, if he wanted to lose weight and divide it up in seperate packages he would have to remove the flywheel and ship seperately. I have to do this with Kohler K series to get the buyer a reasonable shipping price. One reason why I don't like to ship them. Your seller is going to lose his butt on shipping any way he looks at it. Probably why he wants to cancel the sale.
Ronald Hribar Posted March 5, 2005 Posted March 5, 2005 I,ve had 16 hp delivered UPS and I've had another that never was delivered, Seller ropped out of sight. I just had a 20Hp kohler deivered in a rubbermaid container and the outside of that wrapped in tape by UPS, made a bulletproof package.
SmilinSam Posted March 5, 2005 Posted March 5, 2005 quote:Originally posted by Ronald Hribar I,ve had 16 hp delivered UPS and I've had another that never was delivered, Seller ropped out of sight. I just had a 20Hp kohler deivered in a rubbermaid container and the outside of that wrapped in tape by UPS, made a bulletproof package. Ron, I consider that the tip of the year! I never thought of using those for shipping heavy items. I'll be trying that out next time. Thanks for mentioning that!
maxtorman1234 Posted March 5, 2005 Posted March 5, 2005 It cost $120 to ship a complete kohler K341 16HP from ontario to kansas city. I've heard UPS dosent handle heavy packages well, and my package was a wooden crate, cardboard sides, 2+" clearance on each side, and the plug was broken when he got it. How'd they manage that? }:)
RayS Posted March 6, 2005 Posted March 6, 2005 I hve used UPS to ship a engine before and I removed the starter generator to get the weight down. I used a piece of plywood the size of the bottom of the box I was shipping in and bolted the engine to the plywood. This is how Briggs ships theirs.
B.Ikard Posted March 6, 2005 Author Posted March 6, 2005 Thanks for the replies. I got the engine at a good enough price that I can probably justify paying $100ish shipping without taking apart and still be ahead in the deal. I hate to pay that much shipping but I suppose that's the way it is. These engines are extremely rare around here, also the market prices are not up there with the Kohlers. Ike
Woodydel Posted March 6, 2005 Posted March 6, 2005 Forward Air is the best shipper of anything. Only drawback is they ship terminal to terminal. If the terminals are close enough to the shipper and receiver then you can't find a better or cheaper way to ship. You can find terminal locations online at Forwardair.com. I ship complete big engines with them less oil and gas of course.
brooksdr Posted March 6, 2005 Posted March 6, 2005 I agree with SmilinSam. I ship a few engines myself. I use double cardbord and strapping tape. It takes a lot of time thats why most people won't do it. I have had no problems. You have to over pack it! As far as the rubbermaid that cost a additional $5 fee. Thats what Ups charges for not shipping in a cardboard carton. The last engine I shipped was on the 20-28-2005. It weighed 107lb and went from NC to CA (coast to coast) for only $58.77. I have daily pick-up so that makes a difference. Sound like your guy charged to less shipping and now he doesn't want to lose money.
MDB Posted March 6, 2005 Posted March 6, 2005 I had a 16HP Briggs shipped to me truck freight from Florida this winter, I thought the seller went above and beyond to pack it up for shipping. I took this picture after I had taken some of the wood off, I think there was over 20' of 2x6 nailed around that engine...Shipping cost was $125 Had another one shipped in a heavy cardboard box with the engine base bolted to a piece of paneling, all 4 mount tabs were broke off of the base....:(The good side of that deal was that the shipping companies insurance paid for a new base:)
bigcountry Posted March 6, 2005 Posted March 6, 2005 I ship UPS regularly. They have never lost a package I have shipped with them. They ship pretty much anything as long as its within their weight and dimension requirements.
Leroy Posted March 7, 2005 Posted March 7, 2005 UPS is a convienient shipper for some. I bought a 16 Hp Biggs from a member in GA. He was a capeable carpenter and built a box for the engine bolted it down and removed the oil and shipped it w/o the gas tank. No shipping issues to report. He charged me 90.00 to ship it and 350.00 for the engine.
Jovee Posted March 7, 2005 Posted March 7, 2005 The air freight company I work for uses all of the above mentioned companies to ship thing where planes dont land. The only reason I can think of for the removal is for the fluid content which is hazardous by plane. As long as the fluids are drained Fed Ex Ground and UPS should handle it. I actually had an engine shipped UPS full of oil once. Makes a heck of a mess but it got thru. The extra counter charge has always been beyond me. Its not costing them anything to pick it up. Fed Ex and UPS both have heavyweight services for items over the normal weight limits. It cost a little more but weight is not a factor. Forward air is cost effective but there is a 50/50 chance it will look the same on the receiving end. Ive seen them load the trailers and seen claims happen before my eyes. It sounds to me he doesnt want to deal with any extra hassle. Trucking companies do make home deliveries. DHL is another option. Theyre in competion now and will do what it takes sometimes -
KVANDY12 Posted March 7, 2005 Posted March 7, 2005 I owe a shipping center I'v ship UPS and Fedex. Motors do not ship well in a cardboard box. Best way is a plywood box with the motor bolted in it. And insure it for the value of the motor. I bought a motor on E-bay the man ship in rubber maid container they were broken by the time I got the motor. Not a good idea. None of the shiping company will honor the insure if it not boxed properly.
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