We also had interference with the electrical service panel in the corner of the basement. The benchwork for a freight yard would have restricted the door to open.
So it was necessary to raise the box 12 inches. However that height would put us out of compliance with the electrical code.
To satisfy that issue we built a raised floor in front of the panels for accessing the breakers.
No well thought out plan goes unpunished. As it turned out the layout got expanded. The yard was moved 25' around the corner down the next wall and the service panel was totally bypassed by a sweeping curve with a couple of lift out arch bridges. 
