On Mon, 10 Aug 2015 18:44:01 +0000, Sidpickle wrote:

replying to Shelagh V Roberts, Sidpickle wrote:
nospam wrote:

Hi,
I need to lift the block paved manhole cover for the first time.
(1) It is nicely bedded in sand, just like the block paving.
(2) It looks remarkably heavy anyway.
Thjere are two plasitc lift up handles, which have circular holes in
them which look as thought you could put a circular bar through both,
or attach some kind of lifter.
I have Googled manhole cover lifters, which seem to be at least �38 a
day to
hire.
Is there a simple, cheap, non-backsmashing way to lift these beasts?
TIA Dave R [Who would be in deep sh*t if he could just lift the da*n
cover]


For covers with the T bars. Two strips of wood, one under either side
of the T bar handles for the full length, sticking out each end by about
100mm. Strap them together with a couple of cable ties Wood must be
20mm thick for strength. If you can get 20mm box section steel so much
the better. Get garden spade under one end of the two bits, resting it
on another piece of wood to provide a fulcrum and lever the spade so
that the cover rises by about 20mm. Now put a piece of wood under the
two strips that stick out to act as a packing piece. Remove the spade
and go to the other end and do the same. Carry on lifting and packing
about 20mm a time at each end until the cover is clear of the ground.
Needless to say the fulcrum will have to get bigger on each lift. If
you are really keen, also buy some appliance movers that you can put
under fridges and washing machines. These are not too expensive and can
be placed under the two strips of wood/metal supporting the cover once
it has been lifted and the cover lowered onto them so that it can be
slid away from the opening. Some packing will be required between the
appliance movers and the strips supporting the cover. Replacing the
cover is the same process of lifting and lowering at each end by about
20mm increments.

Keep finger clear at all times.

If the cover is stuck before you start, lift one of the T bars and slip
a garden fork underneath. Rest the fork on a fulcrum (bit of wood or
brick)
and lever down to break the seal. Do the same the other end. Have a
good clean up around the cover before you start.

Ummm...Let's Do the Time Warp Again?



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