Method of installing a machine in an elevator system

An elevator system comprising:

• a counterweight coupled with at least one counterweight guide rail for movement in a hoistway;
• a bedplate, comprising a crossbeam and a plurality of mounting legs mounted to the crossbeam,
• a machine assembly mounted at an end of the counterweight guide rails in vertical alignment with the counterweight, the machine assembly mounted to the bedplate;
• and
• a first support piece mounted at a first end of the crossbeam and a second support piece mounted at a second end of the crossbeam to extend a length of the crossbeam, at least one of the first support piece and the second support piece mounted to the at least one counterweight guide rail.