Nick wrote:
"Matty F" wrote in message
...
Well it's not really a manhole cover because it's much smaller. But
it doesn't seem to have another name.
Anyway, after 40 years it had rusted in place.
I tried a hacksaw blade around the edges. That worked OK down to
about half an inch. But the cover is 3 inches thick down to the
ledge. Tried a 4 foot crowbar in the hole, levering in all
directions. Tried hitting it a hundred times with a sledge hammer.
Tried heating it very hot with a blowtorch.
Tried freezing it.

Then I made a 16mm key to fit in the hole, with a ring on top.
Tried levering it up with a 6 foot crowbar but the crowbar bent.

Eventually, put a 5 ton jack under the crowbar, and the cover lifted
up.
I estimate that I applied about a 1 ton force with the jack, and the
4:1 leverage of the crowbar made it about a 4 ton pull to lift the
cover.
Here is the cover just starting to lift:
http://i38.tinypic.com/28i6j4m.jpg

I've ground the edges of the cover with an angle grinder and put CRC
on it!

Good work that man.
Also delighted to see that you are using a Barrett (Duff-Norton type)
jack.
I still use these, they are invaluable, but the elfin safety would
blow a gasket if they knew of such goings-on.

Around here the utility companies use a metal framed, hydraulically
powered gadget to lift a manhole or inspection cover.
(1) Takes two men half an hour to erect the kit, put out the signs and
cones, put the kettle on.
(2) Another half hour to drink tea, have a munch, cigarette and
inspect the local hedgerow.
(3) Two minutes to lift the lid.
(4) If that doesn't work try (2) again
(5) Reverse (1)

Once upon a time, I used to have to do that sort of thing. Effing great
'ammer used to sort out most cases. A more effete team thought that such
effort was undignified and bought an hydraulic system, (rather like the
"tuning fork" hydraulic for lifting out an engine).

I borrowed this brand new piece of kit to assist me on a particularly
antisocial lid. Even then, in about 1980, the Elfins were about. I stuck the
van with an orange flashing light in front of the M/H and some of them
cones that a particular DJ used to be concerned about astern of us.

Within 5 minutes we were cranking the 'andle. Within 7 minutes we had some
serious metal spaghetti!