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Manhole Cover Lifter
the Manhole Buddy range

Manhole Buddy Francais

Manhole Buddy Nederlands

Français

Nederlands

A Manhole Buddy allows an average build person to raise a drain cover equal to their own weight using minimal physical effort.
Manhole Buddy products are widely used within the drainage and water industry, by commercial surveyors, in police search operations, within the prison service, by maintenance and facilities contractors and in many situations where a lone worker wishes to lift heavy or awkward shaped covers without injuring themselves.
The key attributes that make the products so highly effective are safety, simplicity and speed.

October 2011
New VacTecTM
Vacuum Lifting Attachment

Click here for details

VacTec Vacuum Lifting for Manhole and Duct Covers

Lifting manhole covers manually has significant risks. The weight of a typical manhole cover far exceeds advised lifting limits for one person. The size and shape of the cover generally make it difficult to adopt a good posture. The lifting and twisting actions are fraught with danger and the risk of trapping hands or feet is high. And a slip close to an open chamber could have severe consequences. Yet many people continue to lift covers with hand-held lifting keys, because “manhole lifters are awkward” or “too slow”. Not anymore !

A Manhole Buddy comprises a Lifting Trolley and one of the four Lifting Attachments. The trolley has a unique cover unseating facility which quickly loosens difficult covers! You raise the cover by pushing downwards, eliminating lifting and twisting injuries. The user stands clear of the cover and the open chamber, so less risk of tripping or trapping limbs. And the range of Lifting Attachments covers virtually all situations. Manhole Buddy makes lifting covers a safe one-man operation.

Click here to open a printable PDF copy of the Manhole Buddy summary leaflet
Click here for commonly purchased Manhole Buddy combinations
 

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User Guide

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Lifting Trolleys

 

 

 

Two Manhole Buddy trolleys are available, in Steel or Aluminium. These are convenient to carry and store, yet unfold fully in two simple movements.The lifting trolley is essentially a mobile lever, pivoting on the wheels and delivering a mechanical advantage greater than 2.3:1. Therefore a modest downward force of 25 kg on the trolley handle translates into almost 60 kg of upward effort at the main lifting point

Maximum effort is usually required for unseating the cover.
For this purpose, a secondary High Leverage lifting point on the trolley gives a mechanical advantage greater than 5:1. The High Leverage facility delivers maximum force for unseating the manhole cover. Pictured right is the High Leverage facility being applied to the KeyTec spreader bar. This facility greatly extends the potential for safe lone-worker operation. See Unseating Covers in the Video Gallery.
Click here for specification detail on the lifting trolleys

Manhole Buddy Lifting Trolleys

Manhole Buddy KeyTec Cover Unseating

 

 

 

 

 

MagTec Lifting Attachment

 

 

A high percentage of manhole and drain covers are only lifted for inspection.
Magnetic attachment is quick and simple. Considerable time is saved not having to deal with clogged or damaged keyholes in the manhole cover. The freedom to place the magnet anywhere on the manhole cover provides greater flexibility than fixed keyhole positions.
Two magnet strengths are available. No external power or recharging is needed. A simple lever with a safety interlock provides On-Off control.
The magnets have proven to be effective on a wide range of patterned surfaces and have safely lifted split manhole covers and gratings. For maximum productivity on metallic covers, they are untouchable. Click here for detailed information on the MagTec manhole lifting solution.

Manhole Buddy MagTec Magnets - Supreme and Mega Duty

 

 

 

 

KeyTec Lifting Attachment

 

 

A key-based solution is offered for use on non-metallic covers, or for large split covers where the two elements need to be held in alignment. Compared to the MagTec approach, it will be slower to deploy, as the keyholes need to be cleaned out. A selection of keys will probably be required to fit the various key slots. However, where it is the preferred method, the KeyTec implementation will generally out-perform other key-based systems in two critical areas. Firstly, it retains the High Leverage lifting facility which is a major contributor to fast and easier raising of covers. And uniquely amongst key-based systems, the cover can be approached from any position you choose, due to the inbuilt rotation in the lifting hanger.
Click here for detailed information on the KeyTec manhole lifting solution.

Manhole Buddy KeyTec

 

 

 

 

VacTec Lifting Attachment

 

 

As with magnetic attachment, working with the VacTec Vacuum Lifting attachment is uncomplicated. Once again, time is saved not having to deal with clogged or damaged keyholes in the cover or you may wish to lift an item that has no inbuilt attachment points. The vacuum effect is manually created by the user with minimal effort required. Then the lifting trolley is engaged and the inherent mechanical advantage in its configuration permits effortless lifting of covers up to 75 kg. To disengage the attachment, simply turn a lever to release the vacuum.
Click here for more information on the VacTec manhole lifting solution.

VacTec Vacuum Lifting for Duct, Trench and Pavement Covers

 

 

 

 

ChainTec Lifting Attachment

 

 

This solution was first created as a low-cost method of lifting concrete-topped pavement covers, having ovalised 20 mm key slots. With four fully adjustable chain legs, the system can be adjusted to suit any layout or positioning of the key slots. The universality of a lifting hook opens up a range of possibilities for the user. Most notably, it has been deployed successfully for releasing secondary (sub-surface) storm gratings and silt traps. As with the other Lifting Attachments, it features a rotating lifting hanger, which gives greater freedom in positioning the lifting trolley. High Leverage capability can also be accessed in a number of ways.
Click here for detailed information on the ChainTec manhole lifting solution.

Manhole Buddy ChainTec Manhole Cover Lifter


Click here for commonly purchased Manhole Buddy combinations

 

 

A number of accessories are available for use with the standard lifting trolleys, some of which extend the use of the product beyond lifting manhole and drainage covers. Numerous existing manual handling products can be coupled with the trolley for safer use.
The Kerb Buddy lifting attachment is best used with the steel trolley, which has additional lifting arm positions. Click here for more details of the Kerb Buddy.
Standard wheels are suitable for use on roadways and pavements. Optional off-road wheels are advisable if you will be operating on grassed or gravelled areas.
Whilst most gratings can be lifted with the MagTec, a three leg (fixed length) chain set is also available.

Kerb Buddy Kerb Lifter

Manhole Buddy has been used to raise and move a wide range of manhole and drain covers in many differing situations. Some examples are shown in the Photo Gallery. Please Contact Us for further information on the many uses to date.

 

 

 

 

 

The Manhole Buddy Manhole Lifter has introduced a radically new approach to the age-old task of lifting manhole and drain covers. To appreciate the significance of its capabilities and the benefits it delivers, it is worth considering the different ways in which manhole covers are currently lifted. For a more detailed examination of this subject, go to
www.manholecoverlifter.co.uk

Manhole Buddy is available in the USA through US Saws Inc.
Click Here to access their website

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Manhole Lifter
Lifting Trolley
MagTec
KeyTec
VacTec
ChainTec
Video Gallery
Photo Gallery
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