Unloading / dropping a 40' ISO shipping container in the High Desert of Northern California

The soundtrack is "Gymnopedie No. 1" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com).
Yes, I know I didn't show the final drop- I had to assist in locating the exact drop spot, and stopped my impromptu recording of the whole event. Sorry!

[@dirtydish6642]

Legend has it the container is still on that bed waiting for another railroad tie.

[@DarronBirgenheier]

It is! Still waiting for the new transmission for the truck...!

[@gogitr8904]

This music reminds me of a scene from Smokey and the Bandit 2 with the pregnant elephant.

[@gardnerdean]

Why do most people not pour footings? With footings it will be level from day 1, and not sink into ground.

[@asdlb4]

I was looking forward to the last drop...

[@gravewalker1632]

I was expecting to see the second end secured. Not sure how it would drop or lower to another beam with the trailer still under.

[@DarronBirgenheier]

I stopped the video at that point because I had to run and grab some "cribbing" (large blocks of wood) to place temporarily under the bottom side rails of the container, a couple of meters from the end. I stack them high enough to place the container end somewhat higher than level. Then I build up a gravel base under the corner boxes of the "hovering" end of the container, and lay a railroad tie between the gravel and container, gradually lowering the container with a hydraulic jack until it sits level on the railroad tie ("crosstie" in some other countries). In cases where I'm placing a container temporarily, I will have the driver pull the trailer nearly out from under, then place a RR tie right on the ground under the corner boxes. The back edge of the trailer is tipped down until it's JUST over the RR tie, then the driver moves forward, dropping the container more or less right on the tie.

[@grogwrench793]

This is actually the best music choice I've ever found for videos such as this. The Trois Gymnopedies are among my top favorites.

[@christophernunn943]

Yep I agree much better than the usual heavy pop music that is so distracting

[@dwightlarks2525]

Did the front of the container just sit on the soil? Why wasn't there another railroad tie?

[@DarronBirgenheier]

I stopped the video at that point because I had to run and grab some "cribbing" (large blocks of wood) to place temporarily under the bottom side rails of the container, a couple of meters from the end. I stack them high enough to place the container end somewhat higher than level. Then I build up a gravel base under the corner boxes of the "hovering" end of the container, and lay a railroad tie between the gravel and container, gradually lowering the container with a hydraulic jack until it sits level on the railroad tie ("crosstie" in some other countries). In cases where I'm placing a container temporarily, I will have the driver pull the trailer nearly out from under, then place a RR tie right on the ground under the corner boxes. The back edge of the trailer is tipped down until it's JUST over the RR tie, then the driver moves forward, dropping the container more or less right on the tie.

[@slimchancetoo]

For what purpose is this ctr going to be used -- storage, workshop, accommodation ??????

[@DarronBirgenheier]

It is being used for dry, rodent-free storage

[@slimchancetoo]

@@DarronBirgenheier IC. Very versatile rig that delivered it. Not sure it would be legal in Australia though.Drive axle loaded weight might be a problem here.

[@judymcgehee5732]

Is that an 8 foot box? How long were you RR ties?

[@DarronBirgenheier]

8 feet, yes. The ties were maybe 8 and a half to 9 feet long.

[@judymcgehee5732]

@@DarronBirgenheier thanks for responding. My husband and I just bought a 40’HC and it’s 8 ft wide but we were worried we may need ties longer than 8 ft. Good to know we can possibly use 8ft ties. Thanks again.

[@thomasrobinette3227]

What happens at the end?

[@DarronBirgenheier]

I stopped the video at that point because I had to run and grab some "cribbing" (large blocks of wood) to place temporarily under the bottom side rails of the container, a couple of meters from the end. I stack them high enough to place the container end somewhat higher than level. Then I build up a gravel base under the corner boxes of the "hovering" end of the container, and lay a railroad tie between the gravel and container, gradually lowering the container with a hydraulic jack until it sits level on the railroad tie ("crosstie" in some other countries). In cases where I'm placing a container temporarily, I will have the driver pull the trailer nearly out from under, then place a RR tie right on the ground under the corner boxes. The back edge of the trailer is tipped down until it's JUST over the RR tie, then the driver moves forward, dropping the container more or less right on the tie.

[@slimchancetoo]

Gross weight of the 'rig'???????????

[@DarronBirgenheier]

I only know the empty weight of the container (about 8,400 pounds)

[@slimchancetoo]

@@DarronBirgenheier Yeah, combined with the tare weight of the trailer i think the drive axle would definitely be overloaded --- in Australia at least. But maybe not. Also here we have a rule that a towing vehicle cannot tow more than 1.5 times its own weight. Used to be 1.0 ( no more than its own weight) but they changed that to allow for new combinations being adopted.