A temporary shaft support system (100) is provided that can be used with an enclosure (7) such as food processing equipment. The system may include a holder (110) for engaging a shaft (45) to be supported, and a lift (150) that is supported from the food processing equipment at a position that is higher than the shaft to allow the shaft to be suspended and supported without occupying floor space of the food processing equipment. The lift may be supported by a top wall (10) of the food processing equipment or may be supported by a drive mount (52) that attaches a shaft-rotating drive to the food processing equipment.