Moving a VAX 6000

From: Geoff Roberts <geoffrob_at_stmarks.pp.catholic.edu.au>
Date: Mon Nov 18 17:03:00 2002

----- Original Message -----
From: "Jeffrey Sharp" <jss_at_subatomix.com>
To: <cctalk_at_classiccmp.org>
Sent: Tuesday, November 19, 2002 5:41 AM
Subject: Moving a VAX 6000


> I just got a VAX 6000. More details on the system itself will come later.
> Right now, I need to move it the short distance from its warehouse it my
> garage. I will probably do this tomorrow. I want to run my logistics plan
by
> the list and see if there are any problems.
>
> Basically, my idea is to borrow my parents' utility trailer, throw an old
> mattress (which I have) in it, lay the VAX on its side on top of the
> mattress, and tie down. 3.5 miles later, we'll slide the VAX off and push
it
> upright. Repeat the process to get the other cabinet.

That should work, you DEFINITELY need AT LEAST a couple of people to help
though, you will
NOT manage this on your own. You will damage yourself or the machine or
both.
A 6K weighs around 500lbs and is top heavy and will survive even if dropped,
if it drops on
you though the outcome is less likely to be favourable. They are HEAVY.

Assuming the trailer is about 2 ft or so above ground level, if you manage
to push it over yourself,
(and you might manage this considering how top heavy they are) good chance
it will
get away from you as it does. Four is about the minimum safe number for
loading a 6k on a low height trailer.
Make it six if you have to use a ute (er, pickup to you), since they are
quite a bit higher.
Unless you are Arnold Schwarzenegger you have even less chance of getting it
off single
handed without breaking something. You most likely.

Hmm, other cabinet Drives I suppose? What kind? They would be better
removed from the cabinet,
and then that would be manageable singlehanded.
If they are RA8x they are around 130lb so you can probably lift them, be
careful getting them out though,
the will tip the cabinet if you don't have the stabiliser legs on the bottom
extended and you will have 500lb
of hard disks and cabinets flattening you. Realistically, you need at least
two people to safely install/remove
an RA8x drive from a cabinet. SOB's are HEAVY and AWKWARD.
If they are RA9x or RA7x they are not so bad (smaller/lighter). But remove
them from the cabinet,
it's fairly easy with them, much easier than moving a populated cabinet. An
RA9x is around 60lb or
so, no problem if you are on your own, RA7x's are in 4 drive SA70
enclosures, that take up the same
space and roughly the same weight as a single RA9x. (Individual RA7x drives
are about house brick size
and can be carried one handed.)

> My only concern ATM is laying the VAX on its side. That won't damage the
> enclosure, will it?

No. Short of dropping it from the top of a multistorey building you're safe
there.
Beware of side panels coming off if you slide it, drive cab's are especially
prone to this.

I've seen one that was dropped from 40ft by a crane and was twisted and
distorted
like you wouldn't believe, but it still worked, very tough.


Geoff in Oz.
Received on Mon Nov 18 2002 - 17:03:00 GMT