Next week i will be buying a powermatic 20" bandsaw seller has a forklift and I plan to lay it on it's spine in the back of my pickup. It is 3/4" too long to close the tailgate so I will leave the tailgate at home. How should I unload it safely? It weighs about 800 pounds with the table removed.
I have a engine hoist but I do not see a logical way to rig it. maybe a sling to the base and one loop over the top arm and hoist it flat on its back and then drive truck out. set it down flat on the ground and rerig to tip it up. It just seems like the top lifting point may slip and let it pivot to some crazy angle very fast. Some people have said there is a one or two threaded holes on the top arm but not designed for a lifting point. I do know that Doall bandsaws, which weigh more, have a 3/4 tapped hole on top of the arm that allows a single point vertical lift.
This is a welded frame saw so I feel it is a bit easier to rig without causing irreparable damage.
It may be best to remove the welder to allow better angles. It is wired for 440 so the welder probably has to come out to be connected for 240 anyway.
Bill D.