[Mike Osbourne]

Clinton can lift two portys at once into his van, one with each little finger

Yeah but if you cut all his hair off he would be as week as a baby.

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.

[peter maybury]

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

[Paul_Ashworth]

Or buy a Truck Mount 

[clinton]

Didnt someone have a ramp for sale a while ago

Mike

Thats my secret out

Jim

I had some practise my lifting technics with your wallet

[Gav Camm lammy 283]

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

[Doctor Carpet (Ret'd)]

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.

[Mike Osbourne]

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.

[Peter Blackburn]

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

[Doctor Carpet (Ret'd)]

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.

[d.nash]

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.

[fitz2kleen]

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!

[clinton]

You might put some of us to shame fitzkleen

[Joe H]

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  ).
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.
 

[Doctor Carpet (Ret'd)]

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

[Pristine Clean]

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

[Doctor Carpet (Ret'd)]

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. 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.

[stuart_clark]

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

[Dave Parry]

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.