Manholes are essential to municipal infrastructure.  They provide swift, easy access to storm drains, sewers, and a wide variety of underground pipes.  Ensuring there is proper access for utility workers to these areas is crucial to maintaining this important part of the area’s framework.  While utility workers need swift, easy access, the public should not be able to enter these areas.  Because of this the manhole cover was created.

Manhole covers are beneficial for a few reasons.  First, in order to help keep the public out of municipal water systems, storm drains and sewers, manhole covers have been developed to be exceptionally heavy, causing the average person to not be able to lift it on their own.  Second, manhole many covers have vents, allowing the manhole to be protected from any public shenanigans but also allowing dangerous gases to escape before building up to dangerous levels.

Many times you hear utility work is back-breaking work.  This is one of those specific instances where it can literally be back-breaking work, but it does not have to be anymore.  With the advent of magnetic manhole cover lifters, the utility worker can maximize safety, time management and convenience all with one tool.

Benefit Your Body

Lifting manhole covers by hand is a terrible idea.  Don’t try it!  You risk a multitude of injuries by doing it. Manhole covers are made a few different ways, be it cast iron, steel, or concrete, and come in varying sizes, but all of them are heavy.  Manual lifting can result in serious back injury, especially If you’ve misjudged the weight.  Back injuries are debilitating and painful, and can require surgery to fix.  Manhole covers can be slippery too, risking a crushed finger or hand.  Toes and feet are also susceptible to injury, especially if they proper shoes are not being worn, as heavy manhole covers may be dropped suddenly, crushing toes or feet under the weight of the cover.

By including U.S. SAWS’ diverse variety of magnetic lifters in your toolbox, you can be sure to save energy and protect your back and limbs from painful injuries.  The Megatron 2 Magnet Break N’ Take is the right tool for jobs with a 350 pound lifting capacity.  For even heavier jobs, up to 900 pounds, the Supreme Duty Collapsible Dolly is your answer.

Work Smarter, Not Harder

Time is money, and moving heavy manhole covers can be time consuming work due to the heavy load of the cover.  Magnetic lifters not only make the work easier on your body, but also save you significant time and effort.  U.S. SAWS has developed smoother and more efficient ways to handle complex jobs.  The Twin Magnetic Spreader Bar provides a beam that allows two magnets to be utilized at once, instead of only using one, making the job completion quicker and providing a safer lift, with the added bonus of greater stability during the lifting process.

Convenient Carry

Not only are magnetic lifters better for your body and more efficient, but they are even space saving and convenient to pack and store.  Portability is important when you are working in an area far from where you had to park.  Carrying a several pieces of heavy equipment is never convenient.  U.S. SAWS magnetic lifters have dolly handles that break down for easy shipping and storage.  Lifters like the Supreme Duty Collapsible Dolly also eliminate the use of pry bars, reducing the amount of equipment being hauled to and from the site.  U.S. SAWS has the right durable tools that are portable and quickly and easily stored allowing you to get the job done safer and more efficiently, sparing your valuable time and protecting your body from injury.

Contact U.S. SAWS today to discuss the beat magnetic manhole cover lifters for your team and to see what new products they have waiting in their wings.