Abstract: A carrier is disclosed for carrying and holding a spindle of a machine during removal and installation of the spindle and while performing maintenance on the spindle. The carrier has a spindle support, a carrying handle, and a device for engaging a portion of the machine so as to removably support the carrier on the machine. The carrier has opposite end plates, each end plate having a recess configured to receive a portion of the spindle such that the spindle may be supported on the end plates in the recesses. In use, the carrier is removably supported on a portion of the machine by attachment members which may be movably mounted on the end plates and attached to the carrier handle. By extending the attachment members, the carrier is supported on the machine and positioned so that the spindle is located in the recesses in the end plate. This enables a single person to then remove the shaft supporting the spindle on the machine while the carrier holds the spindle in position.