Clean It Up

UK Floor Cleaning Forum => Carpet Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: maxcarpets on September 26, 2006, 06:57:43 pm

Title: Van ramp for porty
Post by: maxcarpets on September 26, 2006, 06:57:43 pm
Anyone know where to get these already made?

Regards



Justin
Title: Re: Van ramp for porty
Post by: stevegunn on September 26, 2006, 06:58:42 pm
http://www.villamead.co.uk/
Title: Re: Van ramp for porty
Post by: cleanability on September 26, 2006, 07:24:05 pm
Found mine in the garage. (6 x 4) X 2 plywood bolted together. Does the job.

Chris
Title: Re: Van ramp for porty
Post by: gerrystyles on September 26, 2006, 11:27:23 pm
Got mine from WM Systems. www.loadingramps.co.uk

Title: Re: Van ramp for porty
Post by: Tony_Browning on September 27, 2006, 08:40:36 am
Make your own and save £100's .....

DIY Store, MDF-Hinge Strip-Castor wheels-Floor Paint-----Had mine 2 years and can wheel porty up and down whilst full of water.........cost £17!  :)
Title: Re: Van ramp for porty
Post by: Liahona on September 27, 2006, 08:53:32 am
Whats wrong with just lifting it in and out? My portable weighs over 160 lbs and my pressure washer must weigh well over 200 lbs. I carry enough stuff and weight as it is so wouldnt want to add to it. Best, Dave.
Title: Re: Van ramp for porty
Post by: gerrystyles on September 27, 2006, 11:24:14 am
Why risk giving yourself a serious injury?. Who is going to cover your work when you are off with a slipped disk or hernea? The Manual Handling Regulations apply to ownwer operators and employers.
Title: Re: Van ramp for porty
Post by: carpetclean on September 27, 2006, 11:31:46 am
if you have the right porty there is no heavy lifting as its easy to put the front wheels on the lip of the van and ease it up simple managed with all my portiies most difficult one to get in and out was the cfr
Title: Re: Van ramp for porty
Post by: Liahona on September 27, 2006, 12:40:23 pm
Carpetclean, exactly my point. Gerry, where does it say in any Manual Handling Regulations about how to or not to lift a portable hwe or dry machine for that matter in or out of a vehicle. In my opinion you are going to do yourself more harm using a ramp in both directions. Look at the body position, particularly the back when using a ramp. In answer to your question on who would cover my work, no one, but I charge enough so I cover myself so to speak. I am in a situation to do damage to my body far more away from work, so lifting a small or large hwe is the least of my worries. Best, Dave.
Title: Re: Van ramp for porty
Post by: gerrystyles on September 27, 2006, 01:43:20 pm
Look at Regulation 4(1)(a)

The regulations are written for all manual handling, not just for carpet cleaners. I would not attemt to lift a 110lb portable or a 200lb pressure washer into my van neither do I expect my staff to do it.

Good to see you are making enough to keep you when you are not working for six months after an injury

Good luck
Title: Re: Van ramp for porty
Post by: Liahona on September 27, 2006, 03:03:44 pm
Gerry, could you post on here the relevant 4(1) (a). It would be interesting to see what is written. Also and I know this is hypothetical, how would you get you or your staff to put a 200lb pressure washer in the van. Bearing in mind that pulling it up a ramp or pushing it up will cause more or could cause more damage to your back. Best, Dave.
Title: Re: Van ramp for porty
Post by: cleaning co on September 27, 2006, 03:21:01 pm
my mytee machines i could if need be lift in and out on my own but my ninja i couldnt way to heavy and would do meself an injury, but hey i run it as truckmount so it aint gooner happen ! :D
dont really no y iam posting on this thread as it dont effect me , must be bored lol ;D
Title: Re: Van ramp for porty
Post by: maxcarpets on September 27, 2006, 03:22:43 pm
I only asked as my wife will soon be joining me. I would not ask her to struggle with machinery. Thanks for the comments.

Regards


Justin
Title: Re: Van ramp for porty
Post by: gerrystyles on September 27, 2006, 11:00:58 pm
Regulation 4(1)(a)

"Each employer shall -

(a) so far as is reasonably practicable, avoid the need for his employees to undertake any manual handling operations at work which involve a risk of their being injured"


To that end following suitable risk assesment I purchased the ramp, which eliminated the need for operators to lift heavy equipment on and off the van. Our Prochem Steempro is pushed up the ramp and pulled down the ramp.  It is asking for an injury to try and pull it up.

Guidance on Manual Handling can be found on the HSE website. hse.gov.uk
Title: Re: Van ramp for porty
Post by: Adam Young on September 27, 2006, 11:53:44 pm
Hi All,

I lift my Diamondback (which according to the Ashby's web site is heavier than a Ninja) in and out of the van all day long. Roll it up to the back of the van tip it on its back wheels till the front castors are on the bumper lip, lift up the back and roll  it in, easy. There is no HSE risk! as I apply the proper technnique i.e. bent knee's straight back!

There is a correct procedure to follow for all HSE regulations/guidlines. HSE regulations, although in our best interests can easily be misinterpreted sometimes.

 Also there are no brake wheels on any of the larger portables that I have seen on the market therfore making them potentially dangerous on ramps especially when unloading.

Regards,

Adam. 
Title: Re: Van ramp for porty
Post by: Liahona on September 28, 2006, 12:05:38 am
Adam, well put mate. You me and Carpetclean as I am sure others lift "things" in and out of a vehicle this way. Damn site easier than a ramp and again I say I feel safer for those concerned. As you have put it, H and S wouldnt be impressed with rolling a porty up or down a ramp with no way of stopping it. Best, Dave.
Title: Re: Van ramp for porty
Post by: cleaning co on September 28, 2006, 02:28:20 am
hi adam what type van u got as mine is to high up to do it the way u say   and the ninja is way to heavy for one man to lift , i think u find on the ashby web site they are not stating the weight for a top spec ninja which is a lot more
Title: Re: Van ramp for porty
Post by: Liahona on September 28, 2006, 02:44:04 am
Gary, how heavy are your machines? I know you dont take them out on a day to day basis but just wondered. My porty weighs a bit as it is about 160lbs. It is a lump but does work very well, best, Dave.
Title: Re: Van ramp for porty
Post by: angela carlton on September 28, 2006, 07:36:21 am
Interesting comments, particularly, as I'm a registered Moving and Handling trainer.

My husband experimented and found the easiest and safest way to load / unload a machine was to make a plywood step, about 8 inches high.

The machine is simply tipped back, using safe and effortless leverage, the step is accessed, this is repeated to take the machine up to the next level and pushed forward.

The step is then placed in the van behind the Ninja to stop it rolling around.

My / our concern about ramps, is twofold.

The space required to use them
The danger of slipping

As mentioned above. It's all about leverage.

We have a little Suzuki, which, like Gary's Diahatsu, is brilliant for this work.

Angie

Title: Re: Van ramp for porty
Post by: carpetclean on September 28, 2006, 08:39:11 am
angie there is a fellow cc near me who uses this very method. the step as you say makes his life much easier especially as he is prone to back problems
Title: Re: Van ramp for porty
Post by: Liahona on September 28, 2006, 08:53:01 am
Angela, so I am doing something right. Although I dont need the step as both my machines I am pressuming must be that much bigger that they reach the "step" on the van anyway. It will be interesting to see Gerry's comments on your comments. Best, Dave.
Title: Re: Van ramp for porty
Post by: craigp on September 28, 2006, 09:02:39 am
i've seen Gerrys ramp, (he lives in our area Dave) his ramp is a really good bit of kit, and over years we all know humping machines in and out the van will do your back no good. i think its a good idea if you want to save your back.
Title: Re: Van ramp for porty
Post by: rambly on September 28, 2006, 11:16:55 am
Leftover length of slotted 90 degree angle steel, screwed to flooring grade chipboard (waterproofed) and covered in duct tape to stop scratches.

Cheap as chips!
Title: Re: Van ramp for porty
Post by: murky on September 28, 2006, 12:34:34 pm
So where do we stand (no pun intended) with lifting machines up and down stairs in blocks of flats?
I had to clean a top floor flat yesterday, I couldn't say no as it was for a Letting Agent. So that meant lifting an Alltech Pro up 3 flights of stairs, doing the job and then taking it down again?
What would H&S say about that?
And no the pipes wouldn't reach up all the way.
Answers please clever clogs.
Title: Re: Van ramp for porty
Post by: Liahona on September 28, 2006, 01:04:36 pm
Murky, with what you have said there isnt much to answer and I fully agree with what it is you are saying. Best, Dave.
Title: Re: Van ramp for porty
Post by: Robert Watson on September 28, 2006, 06:48:06 pm
Adam
Good point about the brake wheels, I`v been thinking about this ever since the day I turned round to see the porty rolling down the path and almost crashing into a car :o
It was only its second outing, got away with only a slight scuff  ;D.
Yeah, we all really have to watch the old back. I got a scare a few weeks ago.
Its too easy to get complacent.

Look after yourselves, cos sure as hell no one else will.

Good Luck.
Rab
Title: Re: Van ramp for porty
Post by: maxcarpets on September 28, 2006, 08:58:00 pm
DOEAS IT REALLY COST £850 PLUS VAT FOR AN ALI RAMP????

Regards

( a very shocked )
Justin
Title: Re: Van ramp for porty
Post by: gerrystyles on September 28, 2006, 10:30:44 pm
Justin

Mine was £1133 inc VAT. It is galvanised steel.  Some very interesting comments and ideas on this topic.  If it works for you thats good. Be safe!!!
Title: Re: Van ramp for porty
Post by: craigp on September 28, 2006, 11:00:36 pm
thing is you have to see Gerrys ramp, its a proper bit of kit, with a big damper that takes the weight of the ramp and smoothly unfoldes/lowers it to the ground.
Title: Re: Van ramp for porty
Post by: calmore on September 29, 2006, 10:46:28 am
Angie

Gonna give the step method a go.

I have a berlingo and unfortunately I can't get the front castors high enough to get over the rear bumper so this step method sounds ideal.
Title: Re: Van ramp for porty
Post by: Liahona on September 29, 2006, 10:58:51 am
Gerry, how heavy is the ramp you use? Just curious. I am at full capacity anyway so cant even add 20lbs of weight. Although I still am happy with how I move things in and out of the van. Best, Dave.
Title: Re: Van ramp for porty
Post by: Adam Young on September 29, 2006, 11:27:59 am
Hi Calmore,

What's your machine? I have a Berlingo too

Cheers,

Adam.
Title: Re: Van ramp for porty
Post by: calmore on September 29, 2006, 12:05:08 pm
The main one is an Alltec thingumajig. (The small one you can lift easily with two hands)

The floor of the vehicle is so high that I have to tip the machine back way beyond 45 degrees to get the front castors onto the bumper. I then have the added problem that the floor is about 1/2" higher than the bumper.

It's an estate rather than a van-not sure what the bumpers are like on the van but the estate ones are rather 'fat' and stick out a good 4" beyond the end of the floor.