How to ship 8 3/4 chunk

I doubt anyone has more experience both good and bad shipping these. A 5 gal bucket isn't tall enough, The bottom isn't strong enough to keep the gear from ripping out the bottom. Best thing to use is a HTH chlorine pool tablet bucket. They have a screw top lid and they are tall enough to completely enclose it.Also cut a piece of 3/4" Plywood in the shape of a circle, the same size as the inside diameter of the bottom of the bucket. Pack the extra space with solid material. I use the gray bags with the expanding foam. Run down a pool guy or go to a pool supply to get the buckets. I had a guy I would trade Budweiser's for buckets. I shipped FedEx and UPS. They have both lost a rear end for me. I will Say UPS claims is easier and faster. Just my 2 cents.