Support for a heat exchanger tube bundle

A method of servicing a bundle of exchanger tubes, the bundle of exchanger tubes comprising a plurality of tubes, and support plates that engage and support the plurality of tubes, the support plates being perpendicular to the tubes, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing an exchanger tube support comprising a cradle having a length, a plurality of support surfaces spaced along the length of the cradle, a carriage that is movably mounted to a track of the cradle, and one or more lifts positioned along the length of the cradle;
• withdrawing a portion of the bundle of exchanger tubes from an exchanger housing;
• causing a receiver portion of the carriage to engage a support plate of the portion withdrawn from the exchanger housing;
• continuing to withdraw the bundle of exchanger tubes from the exchanger housing while moving the carriage along the cradle, the receiver portion moving above the support surfaces and supporting the exchanger tube portion;
• once the bundle of exchanger tubes is positioned above the cradle, causing the lifts to extend vertically upward to engage and lift the exchanger tubes above the support surfaces and above the carriage;
• removing the carriage from below the bundle of exchanger tubes;
• and
• lowering the lifts until at least some of the support plates of the bundle of exchanger tubes support the bundle of exchanger tubes on the support surfaces.