Method for handling a stator bar using a pit

A method for handling a stator bar at a stator bar facility having a stator bar workstation, an in-ground pit proximate to and at an elevation below the workstation, and a stator bar transport proximate to the in-ground pit, wherein the method comprises:

• loading the stator bar onto the stator bar transport, wherein the stator bar transport includes a rotational mount to receive the stator bar;
• rotating the rotational mount to turn the stator bar at least 45 degrees in a vertical plane to lower a first end of the stator bar into the in-ground pit;
• positioning at least a third of a length of a stator bar down into the in-ground pit;
• aligning a second end of the bar with the workstation, and
• turning the bar to reverse positions of the ends of the bar, such that the second end of the bar is aligned with the workstation and the first end is lowered into the in-ground pit.

A method for handling a stator bar at a workstation above a pit proximate to a stator bar transport device, the method comprises:

• releasably coupling the stator bar to the stator bar transport device;
• turning and moving the stator bar with the stator bar transport device such that at least a third of the stator bar extends down into the in-ground pit;
• aligning a first end of the bar with the workstation while the stator bar extends into the in-ground pit;
• after aligning a first end of the bar with the work station, turning the stator bar with the stator bar transport device such that the entire bar is above the in-ground pit and thereafter moving the bar away from the pit, and
• decoupling the stator bar from the stator bar transport.