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The Magnetic Manhole Lifter brings a whole new approach to the age-old task of lifting manhole and drain covers. Since its introduction in mid 2007 by PWM distribution, the product has been widely adopted within many industry sectors and has become a significant growth area for the company. Specification information, images and video footage can be accessed through webpage http://www.pwm-distribution.com/html/manhole_lifter.html on this website. The following summarises some of the general issues arising from the practice of lifting manhole and drainage covers and in doing so, will create a better understanding of why the Manhole Buddy manhole lifter was created and how this new approach makes the work of lifting manhole and drain covers significantly safer and faster.
Lifting manhole and drainage covers is arduous and sometimes dangerous work, particularly when performed without appropriate tools. The weight of a typical drain cover far exceeds Health & Safety Executive guidelines for single person lifting. The size and shape of the cover make it difficult to adopt good lifting posture and the required lifting and twisting actions are fraught with danger. The risk of trapping hands or feet is high and a slip in close proximity to an open drain could have severe consequences. Doing such work by hand involves a high risk of personal injury and is thoroughly inadvisable.
Of the lifting tools and systems currently available, the vast majority rely on a lifting key, inserted into a slot in the cover. Such keys come in various shapes and sizes, so when the correct key does not fall readily to hand, improvising with an ill-fitting item presents a risk of the cover becoming detached. Quite often, the key slots are either damaged or filled with compacted dirt, which tempts the operative to resort to the use of bars, levers and hammers, coupled with a direct ‘hands-on’ approach. The Manhole Buddy requires no such keys nor access to the key slots, thereby eliminating these risks and frustrations.
Manhole Buddy has made handling most covers a safe one-person operation. The system comprises only two items, a lightweight folding trolley and an industrial strength permanent magnet. Once the magnet is in position and activated, simply unfold and engage the trolley, whereupon lifting can commence. There is no physical lifting effort required from the user. Instead a downward force is applied, which is multiplied 2.5 times by the mechanical advantage inherent in the trolley. So heavy loads can be lifted and moved with ease, whilst the risk of lifting and twisting injuries is largely eliminated. And at all times, the lone operator stands well away from both the raised cover and the open chamber.
Unseating a jammed cover is a regular drainage challenge, yet it is here that the Manhole Buddy is at its most impressive. Unlike traditional lifters which connect through the fixed position key slots, the magnet can be placed freely on the cover. This permits localised force to be applied at the most appropriate point, usually along the cover edge. And the secondary high leverage lifting point used for unseating, delivers more than 5 times the input effort, thereby shifting all but the most stubborn covers.
Manhole Buddy achieves a high level of acceptance due to its portability, simplicity and ability to handle a wide range of manhole covers quickly and safely. Set-up time is less than ten seconds, with no time consuming assembly of parts or selection of keys. Performance has been shown to be more than adequate for the vast majority of covers, whilst its compact form makes minimal demands on space in vehicles and permits it to be carried comfortably by hand. The vast majority of drain covers are only raised for a quick visual inspection – then it’s on to the next one to find where the blockage or problem is. The time saved with the Manhole Buddy in such situations is considerable, as is the cumulative reduction in physical effort required.
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