Knowing how to lift a manhole cover requires not only the right gear to safely lift the heavy metallic lid, but also the knowledge of how to lift it with the right technique. You can lift a manhole cover either by hand, with the help of lifting keys, or via mechanical/hydraulic assistance.
Underestimating a manhole’s weight and potential stiffness when lifting it can lead to debilitating back/spinal injuries.
This complete guide will explain how to lift a manhole cover, what the best equipment is to do the job, and how to deal with manhole covers that are either damaged or fully intact.
What is a manhole?
Across the urban centres of the world, the manhole is a common feature of street life. For good reason, its contents are hidden to all except a few with the right equipment and know-how.
Before we get into the nitty-gritty of how to lift a manhole cover, it will be helpful to learn what a manhole is, why they are covered, and why they can (and should) be challenging to access.
A manhole is a covered opening that is designed to help a person access a confined space, usually underneath the street surface. It is the method by which workers can access the drainage or sewer system beneath the city in order to perform repairs, conduct maintenance and give general inspections.
In many cases, going down a manhole is the only way that blockages in the drains can be accessed and resolved. Another way that water issues can be diagnosed is by measuring the water levels at each individual manhole.
Manholes are covered for a reason. Access to the sewers or drains are generally only possible via stepladder or regular ladder, depending on height, which means anyone climbing down has to be careful not to fall and injure themselves, especially if they are carrying heavy equipment. Also, it goes without saying that leaving open a hole leading to waste water would not be pleasant for people at street level, and it would pose a fall risk.
It is for this reason that manholes are usually covered by a cast iron metal lid. In places like airports, ductile cast iron is used as it can bear heavier loads. Although manholes tend to rattle as you drive over them, they are made of sturdy stuff, which makes opening manhole covers a sometimes difficult task.
How to lift a manhole cover by hand
By and large, it is recommended not to lift manhole covers manually by hand. However, if you are, you need to follow some steps in order to lift the manhole cover correctly.
These steps are:
- Clean the area around the manhole for dirt, leaves, rust or other debris.
Use a screwdriver and run it around the edges to loosen the rim. - Depending on the type of manhole, either use the lifting key to unlock the manhole, or test the weight of the manhole with a screwdriver or spade.
- Assess the manhole’s environment and the likelihood of you being able to lift it without any other assistance.
- Then, only lift manually if you are absolutely sure your tools can support it, and that you have a good lifting stance in order to avoid back injury.
- If the manhole is not opening, try pouring water around the rim as this may loosen it, or pry the rim with a crowbar.
How to lift a manhole cover with lifting keys
Another common way to lift a manhole cover is with the help of lifting keys. These are specially designed tools to help you pry open each manhole. However, just as with lifting manually, it is important to conduct an assessment as to the local environment and whether you have the right kind of key. Using an unsuitable key can cause damage to the manhole and make it harder for you to pry it open.
Even with lifting keys, you’ll still need to pay attention to your lifting stance, as the amount of strength you’ll need to lift the manhole cover is the same. Sometimes even 2 people can struggle to lift a cast iron manhole if their coordination is not right, so a good stance will help you avoid injury.
How to lift a manhole cover with lifting systems
Luckily, if you do not think you’ll be able to lift a manhole cover just using your hands or with lifting keys, there are a variety of lifting systems on the market that are designed to help you.
These specialist lifting systems generally interact with the lifting slots on the manhole, and raise the cover vertically using a mechanical or hydraulic mechanisms. As with many pieces of lifting equipment, the actual abilities of the lifting system you choose largely depend on the amount you are paying for it.
When purchasing lifting systems, it’s also very important to plan its use in practice – for instance, how many people are needed to deploy the device, and whether the manhole in question intact enough to withstand the force that will be exerted on it.
What are the best tools to lift a manhole cover?
There is no one right answer to the question: ‘what are the best tools to lift a manhole cover?’, but there are definitely some good candidates. Screwdrivers, spades or lifting keys can be useful if applied correctly, while crowbars can be used if there is a need to pry open the lid.
Failing this, there are plenty of hydraulic lifting systems available on the market that will do the heavy lifting for you. These typically feature a lifting trolley and cover attachment, and are designed to be portable enough to transport to any tricky access point.
How much does a manhole cover weigh?
Measuring how much a manhole cover weighs depends on which country you reside in, and which type of manhole you are looking at. Usually, for the average manhole, a typical weight would be around 100 to 150 pounds, although for some larger ones, you may be looking at weights of up to 250 pounds.
Manhole covers are this heavy because of safety reasons. After all, they will have vehicles weighing as much as 44 tonnes driving over them, so they need to be made of materials capable of withstanding that.
Closing thoughts
We hope you have enjoyed reading our definitive guide on how to lift manhole cover.
Whether you’re getting your hands dirty and hoisting the cover upwards by hand or using a mechanical or hydraulic lifting system, it’s important to consider not only the health status of the equipment you are using, but also of the manhole itself. Also, following the correct safety procedures is essential if you are going to perform a successful lift.
Be sure to browse through Hawk Lifting’s certified range of lifting equipment for all of your lifting needs.
Alternatively, get in touch with us to discuss your individual requirements.