Clean It Up
UK Floor Cleaning Forum => Carpet Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: d.nash on December 21, 2009, 04:07:55 pm
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Ok so i'm new here and have joined to hopefully learn more and improve my skills as a carpet cleaning technician. My question to you all is this. Do any of you know of a ramp which can fit easily onto a Ford Transit or Ford Connect van that can make transporting our equipment on and off the van a one man operation instead of two? I have been trying to source one for an eternity, can't seem to find something suitable. Also the firms are hardly accommodating and never seem to get back to me. Help PLEASE!!
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Can't you flip it up on it's back wheels, Rest the front wheels on the tailgate and lift it in! (With bent knees of course ;D)
I had ramps initially and sold them at a car boot, waste of time IMO.
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make your own out of timber.
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.... and some sticky backed plastic.. ;D ;D ;D
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No, tried that already lol. The problem with using those wheels is that if any solution or waste is still in the tank, no matter how small manages to trickle out all over the back of the van. There are some good mountable ramps out there that actually fix into the back but i'm having trouble finding a distributor that will get back to me. They're obviously not affected by the recession ::)
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I see that the wheel base is rather short on the Ninja....
I found the "Wheel Chair" ramps on ebay and they cost about £70-£80.... I'll have a look out and if I come accross them I'll let you know mate!
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Just a thought. How about Able World. They (I think) have them for wheel chair use in cars.
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Just looked on flea bay under wheel chair ramps.... Spoilt for choice dude ;)
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Thanks for the replies guys. I've been spoilt for choice as well on some sites although another issue i've got is some of these ramps won't clear our bumper on the Transit Connect. I thought i'd post here to see if anyone has the same problem or if there were some sort of standard ramp all people in the industry use. Normally we use two people on a job for help with lifting and removing furniture etc but now were trying to make the jobmore cost effective and as a result its created a health and safety issue. The good old HSE eh?? ;)
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I started off with a Ninja and had no problems with solution coming out. You are vaccing the dregs out and not just relying on the pump?
Also, I found on a lot of vans if you tip the front wheel up and get them on the bumbper on back of van you have the leverage to man handle it up into the van upright. I did this with the Speedster and still do on occasion in the Transit.
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I use same, van and ninja, I made a ramp, 18mm ply with two softwood sides and a strip at one end to rest on bumper.,
cost about 15 quid all in.
Using handle wheels If fitted, takes a lot floor space up
Mr B
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I've lifted my Ninja in and out of the van every day for the last 2 years - what's the problem ?
Don't leave any fluid in the solution tank at the end of the job, then it will be easier to lift.
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Biggest problem having a ramp is they are 5 ft long , 4ft on an angle when in use.
meaning you will need a space behind van 6ft to get Ninja out.
Bought mine from Machine mart ,but have to say Mikes technique is easier.
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Same as Steve here.
Rest the handle wheels on the back of the van, then metal bar under small wheels
at bottom of machine and lift and roll in.
The bar I use sticks out about a hand and a half either side of wheels.
If your getting liquid leaking try emptying solution tank properly.
John
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I have a Ninja just started in Feb and i have the added wheels at the top of the machine BUT have never needed them as i am able to tilt it backwards to get the front wheels onto the van and lever it up its quite easy and i am by no meens a big strong guy i can also lift it dead if i have to but be careful of your back doing this.
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Spent 6 years lifting Ninja into vans and then people carriers,
Put another handle on the front low down in the centre near the QD,
tilt machine back grab handle, and lift using your knee to help, place back
wheels on vehicle and the either run in on all four wheels, or run in and tip
it onto it's back, much more stable in transit that way.
You won't splash water if you empty it properly.
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It's not a heavy machine ???
Like some others above, I've lifted a ninja in and out of a van for years! It's all about technique I suppose?
In my old Scudo, the ninja used to lay on its back across the back of the driver's seat. Putting it in, you tilt it on its back wheels, grab the front handle and lever it back on your leg until the big wheels go in the van, then lay it down. Obviously same in reverse to get it out. You never really take the full weight of the machine, only for a split second and then it's spread between 2 arms and a leg :)
I'm 6'2" and not scrawny though, maybe if you're a slighter build it could be a problem?
Clinton can lift two portys at once into his van, one with each little finger :D
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gotta say i cant see the prob here either!! ???
i have an Alltec Advantage as main machine and an old Ninja as my back up.
The Advantage is a much heavier machine - i just use a little ramp i made from timber to get the front high enough to then be able to tip it back and get the front wheels in the van and hoist the rest in.
When i've had to use the Ninja it seems like a complete doddle in comparison, no need for the ramp - i just use the handle at the front of the machine and lift it in - even fine with a little water in it as its so light , just picks up instead of having to tip back
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If the ninja has steam mate built in, then it's approx 46 kilos.
Remember if your backs a bit dodgy just use ramp or the handle wheels work great if you can afford floor space.
Mr B
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Get a van with a tail lift.
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Clinton can lift two portys at once into his van, one with each little finger :D
Yeah but if you cut all his hair off he would be as week as a baby. ;D
Like many things it's technique rather than trying to grunt the thing up.
Find someone who has got one and get them to show you. You also have to believe it's possible to do and seeing someone do it will magically make a difference.
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If you are having trouble handling the equipment maybe you ought to get a deck job. Lifting the equipment in and out of the vehicle is probable one of the easiest aspect of the job.
Peter
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Or buy a Truck Mount ;D
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Didnt someone have a ramp for sale a while ago ???
Mike
Thats my secret out ;D
Jim
I had some practise my lifting technics with your wallet ;)
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Biggest problem having a ramp is they are 5 ft long , 4ft on an angle when in use.
meaning you will need a space behind van 6ft to get Ninja out.
Bought mine from Machine mart ,but have to say Mikes technique is easier.
wrexha clean do u ever get any window jobs i would certainly do e,m for you bell ,me gav 07870537069
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Fascinating reading all these different "techniques"!
I use the grab handle on the front, other hand on the Ninja's handle then lifting the machine I swing it into the van using my thigh as a boost.
Jim's right, being taller probably helps-I don't know if it makes it harder or not but I put my Ninja in through the side door where you have the extra step on the transit to cope with.
Ah ha.......it's just come to me..........the reason some of us have no difficulties is that perhaps we eat three weetabix for breakfast. ;D
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Roger
You put us wimps to shame what with your back and everything. I don't think I could eat three weetabix in one go, maybe over two days. ;D
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I lift a Ninja full of cleaning solution into the back of my Ford Transit on a daily basis. I use my leg as a slide, and keep my back straight and use only my arms the hoik it up and in on all 4 wheels.
I load it into the van full of liquid and strap it to the side, that way it is ready for action without filling on the next job.
I will admit that I found it hard to start with, but now its second nature. An empty Ninja is childs play.
Regards
Pete
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Peter
Got to admit I had to use my back-up machine for a job last week. It was so light by comparison I felt embarrassed about how I used to grumble about it's weight.
Yes, I strap mine in as well.
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Lots of stuff to try then. Thanks guys. I wouldn't want a desk job; far too technical ;). The only reason i'm going to all this trouble is that we're quite a big operation and we have to have all health and safety risks reduced as much as possible or the HSE would come down on us like a ton of bricks. Its a pain but unfortunately necessary and the task of sorting it has come down to me. I'd rather be using a Texatherm EMV anyway as they're lighter than a ninja and much more reliable but hey. Suppose i'd better start eating my Weetabix and maybe some spinach too.
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cant see why u would need a ramp to get a ninja into a van, im a female carpet cleaning technician, a petite one at that and i manage to lift it on and off myself. definately not a 2 man operation this one!
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You might put some of us to shame fitzkleen ;D
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I have the Scorpion, possibly the lightest of the 3 vac machines, and I was told by a reputable carpet cleaner he could lift it into the back of his transit van one handed.
Now I didnt believe him, though had no good reason to disbelieve him, it sort of sounded incredible.
He sent me a video of him doing it - yep, one handed in the back of a Transit.
So I get my Scorpion out and gave it a try one handed into the back of my Citroen Relay.
Yep, I did it (still in hospital recovering ;D).
Seriously though, I did not think it could be done, but I did it - I suppose the moral is, its all in the technique.
Will be the same with the Ninja no doubt.
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Hey Fitz2Kleen
Welcome to the forum and for making your first post. (You've finally broken your duck after 15 months!) A happy Christmas to you and hope we hear more from you in 2010.
Roger
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I am lifting my porty on and off the back of an L200 Warrior. Its not actually heavy just awkward.
Its about 47 kg
I tried ramps but you need about 40 feet to get a gradient that you push up without causing injury. So I dont use ramps.
I am still looking for a different vehicle now though.
Dave
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OK just to pacify the H and S brigade.
Really I think we should all invest in ramps, ensuring we trade off the steepness of the ramp against the additional weight of the ramp caused by it being longer. (ensure also your van is long enough to store the ramps in as well and that you have gone on a H and S safety course for lifting the ramp!)
But before we put the ramps out we'll need to cone off ooh, say, 5 metres either behind the van or to it's side to allow for access. Of course we'll also have to put out "Caution-trip hazard" notices as well. Never mind that acually finding that amount of free space on a busy road is impossible. :o And don't forget to carry lights to ensure the ramps are well illuminated during the winter months.
And before even that we should have written down the risk assessment for each address we arrive at, copied in triplicate and filed for future interrogation by "you-know-who".
Then inside the vehicle we'll have an electric winch to pull the machine up the ramp. But before we can use the winch we'll have to have the winch PAT tested.
Have I forgotten anything?
Bah humbug to the PC brigade.
PS Dnash I do sympathise with you.
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I have two Ninjas and have been using them for over ten years with no trouble whicthem in the van, Iam six foot five mind you . the ninja must be one of the lightest hwe machines out there! I also have a Scorpian which is slightly heavier and i can get that in the van single handed ! if you are having trouble getting a ninja into a van, maybe its time to look for a differant career ! Lol
seriously though try picking up an Altec machine or an extracta then you will count your strars that you have the ninja
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When I used to us a ninja it had pump in /pump out, auto fill and solvent kit. VERY heavy.I had a extra set of wheels on the handle. Just roll up to the back of the van tipover onto the back of the van, roll in strap down. Easy peasey. was going to post a photo of my old back up machine with the same set up, but uploader is full.