Lifting a old concrete manhole cover

[mike004]

I need to lift up a 1970s rectangular concrete manhole cover. The lifting handles have long since rusted away, and there are a couple of thin cracks across the surface.
What's the best technique to lift this up -- shove a garden spade at one edge and lever up?
I am a bit wary of the cracks opening up even more, so that I will need to find a replacement. The cover is Imperial measure (720mm long) and I don't think you can buy them anymore.

 

[Ivor Windybottom]

Spade and lever would be my choice. Lever it enough to get a pole or rod of some sort across under the lifted edge, take the spade out then slide it towards where the spade was. Use the spade again to take the rod out once it's beyond the edge of the frame. Basically minimise the lifting, just lift enough to get it above the edge of the frame then slide it across. Leave it at the edge then slide it back in when you've done.

But it probably needs replacing, unless you're certain nobody's ever going to drive or walk over it.

 

[Koolpc]

Dynamite should sort it...

 

[Makeitgo]

This cover sounds damned weighty. If you can get a start by getting one end of the cover above surface level, you're already winning. To be honest, I wouldn't attempt it without a lever bar of some sort. I've had an 1.5M chisel and point crow bar all my life and it is a godsend. I've used this (chisel end) to poke into the edge of some big covers to remove them few times. You can then slam something like a cold chisel (3/4"round or whatever) in there to keep the gap open.
That's when you get your long lever in the gap, fulcruming on a bit of wood on the ground to give more lift. You'll probably need a couple more bits of timber, like 4 x 2 or 3 x 2 to jam under the cover and across the hole as you make progress, so that you can eventually drag the cover away from the hole. Beware dropping it down the hole! Best of luck.

 

[foxhole]

Glue an oblong of ply to it ( fixing foam ) will prevent it breaking up and provide lifting handles ( bolt to ply before fitting) one on each corner .

 

[Makeitgo]

Glue an oblong of ply to it ( fixing foam ) will prevent it breaking up and provide lifting handles ( bolt to ply before fitting) one on each corner .

Lateral thinking... Nice.

 

[mike004]

The manhole is in the front garden and is a combined waste/rainwater drain. No road traffic on it, though I tend to park the full green waste bin on it.
If I can lever an edge out of the hole and slide onto some battens, I should then be able to slide it fully across.

The manhole is built using breeze blocks, with a concrete collar and cover. Some of the mortar/concrete between the top course of breeze blocks and the concrete collar has dropped out and and down the hole, leaving an open gap. Some wasps got in there and made a nest. I am waiting for them to die off, but no significant frosts yet!

The drain is operating OK and does not seem to be blocked, but I would like to get in there and have a look.
If I can't get the cover off, I could alway try repatching any gaps in the mortar from the outside.

 

[yorksbuilder]

Hire a slab lifter?

 

[Makeitgo]

Sounds like a summer job to me. I'd gather my tools and materials, get the cover off and do the necessary repairs in some decent weather. I suppose the biggest problem would be if the cover fell apart, so factor a solution for that in, in adance maybe.

 

[Hugh Jaleak]

If it's a shared drain bear in mind it would be the Water Company's responsibility. report a damaged cover to them, tell them it's insecure and is at risk of collapse/someone falling down the hole and they should replace it on safety grounds.