[d.nash]

Ok so i'm new here and have joined to hopefully learn more and improve my skills as a carpet cleaning technician.  My question to you all is this.  Do any of you know of a ramp which can fit easily onto a Ford Transit or Ford Connect van that can make transporting our equipment on and off the van a one man operation instead of two?  I have been trying to source one for an eternity, can't seem to find something suitable.  Also the firms are hardly accommodating and never seem to get back to me.  Help PLEASE!!

[Colin Day]

Can't you flip it up on it's back wheels, Rest the front wheels on the tailgate and lift it in! (With bent knees of course )
I had ramps initially and sold them at a car boot, waste of time IMO.

[sherco]

make your own out of timber.

[Colin Day]

.... and some sticky backed plastic..

[d.nash]

No, tried that already lol.  The problem with using those wheels is that if any solution or waste is still in the tank, no matter how small manages to trickle out all over the back of the van.  There are some good mountable ramps out there that actually fix into the back but i'm having trouble finding a distributor that will get back to me.  They're obviously not affected by the recession  :

[Colin Day]

I see that the wheel base is rather short on the Ninja....

I found the "Wheel Chair" ramps on ebay and they cost about £70-£80.... I'll have a look out and if I come accross them I'll let you know mate!

[deep-cleaningukltd]

Just a thought. How about Able World. They (I think) have them for wheel chair use in cars.

[Colin Day]

Just looked on flea bay under wheel chair ramps.... Spoilt for choice dude

[d.nash]

Thanks for the replies guys.  I've been spoilt for choice as well on some sites although another issue i've got is some of these ramps won't clear our bumper on the Transit Connect.  I thought i'd post here to see if anyone has the same problem or if there were some sort of standard ramp all people in the industry use.  Normally we use two people on a job for help with lifting and removing furniture etc but now were trying to make the jobmore cost effective and as a result its created a health and safety issue.  The good old HSE eh??

[Mike Osbourne]

I started off with a Ninja and had no problems with solution coming out. You are vaccing the dregs out and not just relying on the pump?

Also, I found on a lot of vans if you tip the front wheel up and get them on the bumbper on back of van you have the leverage to man handle it up into the van upright. I did this with the Speedster and still do on occasion in the Transit.

 

[brianbarber]

I use same, van and ninja, I made a ramp, 18mm ply with two softwood sides and a strip at one end to rest on bumper.,
cost about 15 quid all in.

Using handle wheels If fitted, takes a lot floor space up

Mr B

[Steve Barnett (Carpet Care Plus)]

I've  lifted my Ninja in and out of the van every day for the last 2 years - what's the problem ?

Don't leave any fluid in the solution tank at the end of the job, then it will be easier to lift.

[Roy Edwards]

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.

[JandS]

Same as Steve here.
Rest the handle wheels on the back of the van, then metal bar under small wheels
at bottom of machine and lift and roll in.
The bar I use sticks out about a hand and a half either side of wheels.
If your getting liquid leaking try emptying solution tank properly.

John

[james roffey]

I have a Ninja just started in Feb and i have the added wheels at the top of the machine BUT have never needed them as i am able to tilt it backwards to get the front wheels onto the van and lever it up its quite easy and i am by no meens a big strong guy i can also lift it dead if i have to but be careful of your back doing this.

[AJB]

Spent 6 years lifting Ninja into vans and then people carriers,
Put another handle on the front low down in the centre near the QD,
tilt machine back grab handle, and lift using your knee to help, place back
wheels on vehicle and the either run in on all four wheels, or run in and tip
it onto it's back, much more stable in transit that way.
You won't splash water if you empty it properly.

[Jim_77]

It's not a heavy machine

Like some others above, I've lifted a ninja in and out of a van for years!  It's all about technique I suppose?

In my old Scudo, the ninja used to lay on its back across the back of the driver's seat.  Putting it in, you tilt it on its back wheels, grab the front handle and lever it back on your leg until the big wheels go in the van, then lay it down.  Obviously same in reverse to get it out.  You never really take the full weight of the machine, only for a split second and then it's spread between 2 arms and a leg

I'm 6'2" and not scrawny though, maybe if you're a slighter build it could be a problem?

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

[CleanerCarpets]

gotta say i cant see the prob here either!! 

i have an Alltec Advantage as main machine and an old Ninja as my back up.

The Advantage is a much heavier machine - i just use a little ramp i made from timber to get the front high enough to then be able to tip it back and get the front wheels in the van and hoist the rest in.

When i've had to use the Ninja it seems like a complete doddle in comparison, no need for the ramp - i just use the handle at the front of the machine and lift it in - even fine with a little water in it as its so light , just picks up instead of having to tip back

[brianbarber]

If the ninja has steam mate built in, then it's approx 46 kilos.
Remember if your backs a bit dodgy just use ramp or the handle wheels work great if you can afford floor space.

Mr B

[sherco]

Get a van with a tail lift.