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Has anyone made a ramp to wheel stuff into and out of the van? Some of that stuff is freakin heavy and that would sure help my back… anyone have any pictures or tips on how to make one?
Hey Trevor I found this on a previous thread hope it helps
I do a group of single story elderly apartments and there are several buildings at each location. I bought a handtruck from Lowe’s with neumatic tires and the handle can be converted to lay the truck down flat. It has two small wheels at the top or front so when flat you have four wheels. I cut a piece of 3/4″ plywood about 30″ by 36″ and bolted it to the handtruck to make a platform. I can carry my equipment on it and it works great. I have used it also when doing stores in the mall.
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jay LivesayYeah, that could come in handy sometimes if the location I was cleaning was far from where I was able to park the van… might take up a lot of room in the van though.
Trevor,
I have a ramp that I bought a few years ago when I hurt my back. It was pretty spendy (EZ Access portable ramp) but worked like a charm. I still have it and would be willing to sell it at a low price to get rid of it. The ramp folds and has a built in handle. It aslo has a case as well. If you’re intersted give me a call.I found one online that bolts to the van rear area. folds down and cost around $600. I have not bought it yet but I am going to…
I made a ramp with a kit from Lowe’s. Use two 2 x 6 pieces of lumber. I usually roll everything out of the side doors and this works great for me. Beats lifting the U-Mate and buffer for sure. After two hernia operations in my life, I don’t lift when not necessary – ha!!
We did/do exactly what Jeff did. We use it for a generator on remote jobs where there is no power. Lifting the Ninja is not a problem yet, but a 200# generator is…
Easy to fit hardware and pine boards and done in 5 minutes or so.
Dave
I purchased a ramp from a Lawn Service Shop (specializes in items, equipment for gardeners). The guys seem to like it. I think I paid $200-275. They seem to use it when running a one-man shift.
Is said shop nationwide?
Ron:
This Lawn Shop is a local place owned by one of our customers. It is not a chain or franchise.
I bought a ramp at Harbor Freight for $127 and tax several weeks ago . . If you get on there list they sometimes send you a 15% off coupon. Yes I’m kind of thrifty (Dutch).It holds up to 1200 lbs. has two safety chains, it is six feet long , and hinges in the middle. Anyhow so far my wife was right, I needed a ramp.
Just curious, how many of you have thrown your back out? I have 3-4 times but have found out it was due to being in a hurry and lifting the buffer over a few steps while slightly twisting or doing stairs after the 1st or 2nd job, (fatigued).
Ed H.When I began working the franchise in 2003 I already had a T-4 and T-6
(thoracic vertebra) compression fractures to the extent of 25 & 50%. They were crushed in an electrical accident in 1976. At the time the Dr told me not to ever lift more than 30 lbs and that by the time I was 50 I would definitely be hunched over with arthritis… (gloom and doom, and not his worst case scenario.)In 1986, I fell off of a ladder onto concrete from a 6′ height almost flat on my back…I asked for those around me to kill me, the pain in my lower back was terrible.
I had crushed my L-1 thru L-5 (Lumbar vertebra) to the extent of 15-35% compressions fractures. One week in the hospital and told I would be in pain forever.Some days are better than others all are somewhat painful in my lower back.
Last year I had an MRI done and discovered that I have spinal stenosis.
Lifting into the van is hard on some days and stress seems to focus itself into the lower back area.
Needless to say, I have learned to live with pain and have tole very few about these injuries.
My greatest concern for all HBers is the use of the Nobles on steps.
If I should ever fall down steps or anything for that matter, I could be easily paralyzed from a re-injury to the thoracic vertebra or great pain in the lumbar area.
Early on in the business, late 2003, I did lose it after training and on 2 separate jobs, somehow put the Nobles through walls while doing the steps. I am very fortunate that I didn’t fall down the steps. Immediately afterward I researched and discovered the commercial Oreck buffer and bought it…and a backup and been using ever since and love it. Those who are not using it will most likely one day wish they had. If the Nobles was meant to clean the steps, it would be written in the instruction manual or somewhere on the web…it isn’t…and will not!!!
It is very easy to lift a heavy object, twist and turn and wrench your back. Not too many of us are wired to do this on purpose and kill our backs. It just happens!!!
Take it from me…I have pain every single day in my lower back…some a little some a lot…controlled to a small degree with ibuprophen (I refuse to take anything stronger and take it sparingly).
Be careful out there…
Hope this helps someone to do the right thing and avoid an injury or worse.
Dave
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