Posted 2006-06-08 3:45 PM (#42776) Subject: heavy ramp
New User
Posts: 4
Location: Springboro, OH
Does anyone have any ideas how to make it easier to lift a ramp? The springs are pretty much the same as when I bought the trailer so changing them is not an option. It is just a little too difficult for me to get it up.
Posted 2006-06-08 3:56 PM (#42777 - in reply to #42776) Subject: RE: ramp springs
Expert
Posts: 2953 Location: North Carolina
Originally written by horseshorseshorses on 2006-06-08 2:45 PM
Does anyone have any ideas how to make it easier to lift a ramp? The springs are pretty much the same as when I bought the trailer so changing them is not an option. It is easy for a man to lift this ramp, but the first 1 to 2 feet is hard for me.
Since it's only your level of strength at issue ... Would you consider a special tool to help you?
A handle shaped like an "a lower case h" . a 2 or 3 foot handle/extension would enable you to lift the ramp significantly toward the vertical. Then you could push the ramp closed, while taking the handle off the back edge.
Posted 2006-06-10 10:27 AM (#42822 - in reply to #42776) Subject: RE: heavy ramp
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Posts: 2689
I have seen an ad for helper springs that mount on top of the fenders and run cables back to the edges of the ramp at about the height of the fender tops.
Basically it looks like a couple of garage overhead door coil springs mounted in tubes. I'll post a link if I come across it again and if they have a web site.
Posted 2006-11-27 7:59 AM (#51951 - in reply to #51950) Subject: RE: ramp springs
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Posts: 2953 Location: North Carolina
Originally written by Reg on 2006-11-27 6:06 AM
Originally written by hosspuller on 2006-06-08 7:09 PM The idea is to have a long handle at the end of the ramp. It will give you more leverage to pick it up a couple of feet, then push it closed.
Was this something you actually built or adapted from an existing tool ? The question has come up somewhere else and I remembered your post. tnx,
Reg ... The idea came from a dock plate. It had a socket that a 4 foot long piece of pipe was inserted into. The pipe became a lever to lift the ramp up.
Posted 2006-11-27 8:12 AM (#51953 - in reply to #51951) Subject: RE: ramp springs
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Posts: 2689
Thanks,
I think for the discussion at hand I'll suggest a modification to a muck shovel (-:
A simple "hook" on the back of the shovel's shaft would probably do it.
Posted 2006-11-27 2:51 PM (#51962 - in reply to #42776) Subject: RE: heavy ramp
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Posts: 333
One other thing to check... that the ramp has springs on all areas of the bar that connects the ramp to the trailer. My friend couldn't pick up her ramp, but there were 2- 7" spaces that didn't have springs. Once the trailer repair place put springs in those areas so that there were springs all the way across the ramp, she could pick it up easily.
Posted 2006-11-27 6:19 PM (#51974 - in reply to #42776) Subject: RE: heavy ramp
New User
Posts: 4
Location: Springboro, OH
Thankyou for remembering my problem. My old trailer had the spaces you mentioned & I had extra springs added. A friend has it, & its ramp still lifts easily. This current trailer only had 3 1/2 inches in 2 spots that were available. Everyone I talked to couldn't find springs for it. To make a long story shorter, I found a spring place online & they custom made 2 little springs for my ramp. Plus I went to the manufacturer and they sold me heavier duty springs. I then had the dealer remove the old springs, and replace them with 3 heavy duty springs & the 2 little springs. It is GREAT! I can lift my ramp one-handed!
Posted 2006-11-27 7:36 PM (#51976 - in reply to #42776) Subject: RE: heavy ramp
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Posts: 2689
Tnx Jbsny, but it isn't that.
This is for someone with limited mobility who has a general problem with lifting ramps. TOO much spring can lead to a ramp that slowly rises once you step off it, then goes down when the horse steps on it - FREAKY if you're a horse (-:
Oh, I just noticed where horseshorseshorses hails from... how appropriate ?
heavy ramp
