Shifting a 120yo printing press with an eBullitt

Sometimes in life someone asks you to help move a heavy thing. The task is often unlikely, potentially dangerous, and could never be done without a team of people. There are no commercial moving options because of expense and liability. If the object in question is awkward and cumbersome enough, and the drop off location is problematic, then most sensible people would say "Sorry, I can't help. Good luck though."

Cargo bike brain is a real phenomena, which completely overrides that impulse to say no. Because I have a cargo bike, and I see a solution where others see impossibility.

So this happened to me last year, when a local artist had purchased a printing press which was the same model used to print the restaurant menu's for RMS Titanic.

This object of interest is fascinating for those of us who enjoy machines and British engineering. It is historic from a cultural perspective, and also curious for artist like my friend, who enjoys using printing presses as a part of their creative process. This thing should not rust itself into oblivion if so many people find it to be worthy of looking after.

The move went like this:

1. Borrow a engine hoist from a nearby car garage to lift the press off the crumbling pallet which it was strapped to for the previous 10+ years.
2. Break the machine down into a few discrete parts, to remove some of the bulk. This thing is heavy and would kill any person that it fell on. It's centre of gravity is not where you expect it to be.
3. Strap the machine up and try to find the centre of gravity, so the straps can be adjusted to achieve a safe vertical lifting operation.
4. Wheel it out of the building, trying not to smash the door frames to smithereens.
5. Manoeuvre the hoist over the small Ifor Williams trailer so it can be lowered into position for transport.
6. Load the eBullitt onto a custom QR mount on the trailer, along with the engine hoist, ready for unloading at the FARM.
7. Question why this was the plan, and we didn't simply offer a farmer some cash for them to use a tele-handler instead of whatever we are trying to do.
8. Drive to the farm, with all the gear. Then get the trailer as close to the outbuilding as is possible on the gravel drive.
9. Unload the press using the engine hoist. But this is where the bike comes into play. Carefully position the press on the eBullitt and put those eCargo balancing skills to use.
10. Keeping the bike extremely upright at all times, and with 4 people surrounding the bike, push the bike along the muddy path. Nice and slowly!
11. Do the 15 point turn to position the bike perpendicular to the doorway.
12. With a block and tackle from a local arborist, use the pulley principle to your collective advantage, drag the bike up the steps into the outbuilding.
13. Pass the handlebars through the door frame, and position the bike near where the final resting place for the press would be in the room.
14. Using the engine hoist for a 3rd time, lift the press off the bike, and lower it down.
15. Reassemble the press. Crack a few beers, and toast the success of the venture while the sun recedes behind the westerly hillsides of the valley. Mission accomplished.

Ok, so this wasn't so much a story about how the noble eBullitt is the best bike for the task, and how electric cargo bikes enhance the mobility and load carrying potential of a single person. But this task would have been very tricky without it.

The only other possible way of doing this job would have been to use agricultural machines, pay farmers lots of cash for the favour, and tear up the flower beds and narrow grassy pathway with big tyres. Filling the air with diesel exhaust fumes and lots of engine noise etc.

The cargo bike once again, keeping thing civilised, connecting people, creating smiles, and helping dreams come to life.

Everyone should either buy or have access to a cargo bike for life events and challenges like this.