Lifting a lathe versus force on spindle bearing

If You think of the cutting forces vs lifting forces, there is not too many cuts that would produce a force of 1/2 the weight of a Colchester 15"X 50", weight of 2500 lbs. That would be 1200 lbs force on the saddle. Now the tailstock could get closer as the lathe is rated for a 1000lb work piece.
 
I suspect that the likelihood is that you won't damage the lathe, but there is a chance that something can happen. The manufacturer placed the lifting holes in the castings for a reason though, and when I moved mine, I used those.

Ray
 
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