Manhole cover lifters · AditNow Community

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Tamarmole
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie Topic Starter

10 years ago

A purely academic question - are manhole cover lifters a one size fits all deal or are there myriad shapes and sizes?

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sinker
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

10 years ago

"Tamarmole" wrote:

A purely academic question - are manhole cover lifters a one size fits all deal or are there myriad shapes and sizes?

Lifting handles? All newer (1970s/80s onward) cast covers should be Kitemarked/BSi/CE marked and part of that accreditation is standard sized key holes. Buy handles off the shelf at any builders merchant. Older ones....vary. Most older ones, if they have different keyhole sizes tend to have larger keyholes, big enough to get the point of a pick in to lift out. Smaller, domestic-style covers (plastic or galv steel) may to have smaller or manufacturer-specific covers. Unusual though.
If I was going to take a chance then I would buy a pair of standard handles and take a chance....chances are they will fit. Tenner a pair approx.

Yma O Hyd....

Tamarmole
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie Topic Starter

10 years ago

Cheers

Roger L
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

10 years ago

Galvanised inspection chamber covers usually have a small 'T' bar with two lugs type of lifter
Concrete covers usually have a round bar cast in with a depression under it to get a key in, this is of the hook shape. Most use a pick axe to lift it till the bars rust.
Small cast iron are sometimes as concrete and others have a hole to put a 't' bar in to lift.
Highways cast iron have a slot to take a large 'T' bar lifter, The pick axe is also used.

I have two large keys of different thicknesses for the heavy covers.
Smaller covers can be lifted using a couple of screwdrivers to lever it up.

NOTE :- You also need two or three pieces of wood 50x50 mm to place under the corners so you do not trap your fingers. A shovel can be used to remove the timber and drop the covers into place. Beware on tile floors as the covers can slide. Do not have fingers under when dropping into place.

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Morlock
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

10 years ago

Many moons ago we'd use two climbing nuts with slings combined with any handy large stone to break the initial 'sticktion'.

Aditaddict
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

10 years ago

There are usually two types one with a small rectangle key and a set with a half moon end

Morlock
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

10 years ago

IIRC, the locking bolt was not a normal bolt head, five sided or some other oddity.

🔗Personal-Album-1695-Image-98888[linkphoto]Personal-Album-1695-Image-98888[/linkphoto][/link]

Trewillan
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

10 years ago

"Morlock" wrote:
IIRC, the locking bolt was not a normal bolt head, five sided or some other oddity.

🔗Personal-Album-1695-Image-98888[linkphoto]Personal-Album-1695-Image-98888[/linkphoto][/link]

Your pic shows a hexagon, doesn't it?

Morlock
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

10 years ago

"Trewillan" wrote:

"Morlock" wrote:
IIRC, the locking bolt was not a normal bolt head, five sided or some other oddity.

🔗Personal-Album-1695-Image-98888[linkphoto]Personal-Album-1695-Image-98888[/linkphoto][/link]

Your pic shows a hexagon, doesn't it?

That's why I started with "IIRC" as agree the original full sized image looks like a hexagon.
I also remember thinking on the day that 'a socket's not going to fit that'. I'll get a better pic as there was something strange like one or two flats radiused.

rufenig
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

10 years ago

#10

:angel: I think the answer is
They don't want you in there! :lol:

Aditaddict
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

10 years ago

#11

You are no longer allowed to call them manholes
I suppose they are now referred to as" unisex gay transgender inspection chambers" or the like 😮

Morlock
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

10 years ago

#12

"rufenig" wrote:
:angel: I think the answer is
They don't want you in there! :lol:

In that case they've wasted their money on the posh cover.:lol:
Less than 400 metres away.
🔗Personal-Album-1695-Image-98889[linkphoto]Personal-Album-1695-Image-98889[/linkphoto][/link]

John Lawson
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

10 years ago

#13

As has already been noted there are different types of manhole lifters, most can be bought from builders merchants for around 10- £15.
You may get away by using a thin cold chisel, placed carefully under one end, but some Mine exploration groups, modify the manhole in some way, so as to incorporate a locking system.
We had one on our manhole at East Greenlaws mine, but unfortunately, like some of these ideas, jammed solid and we had to get in by breaking the manhole cover.
Some of these are made of cast iron which does not like being hit with a large sledge hammer!

poosticker83
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

10 years ago

#14

Not strictly HSE approved but when I worked on underground plant for BT we used to use the handles off pliers if the keys had 'walked' (A regular thing when groundwork contractors were involved) 2 lads, set of pliers each and some brute force.

Damned if you do, and damned if you don''''''''t.