Need a tool for lifting a radiator

ansky201

I have a cast iron radiator that needs to be re-pitched because the block of wood that was used previously has cracked. I need a jack (or similar tool) that can fit in the 1-inch gap between the floor and the radiator to raise it up about 1 more inch so I can slide a new block of wood under it. Does anyone have any suggestions for a tool I can use?

hot_rod

a crowbar and block of wood?

An inner tube and air pump

STEVEusaPA

https://www.kleintools.com/catalog/ripping-bars/grizzly-bar
I picked my car up with it when it fell off the jack. I don't know if it was this one, or one a little heavier.
Edit: I actually remember it better. My sister got a flat and was against a tall curb and I couldn't get the jack under the frame. So I used that grizzly bar with a block to lift the car so the jack could be placed in the right spot.

Steve Minnich

I got out of the trenches 6 months ago but I never met a radiator that I couldn't lift one side of for at least 15 seconds or so.

RapidRoy

I use a ladder and ratchet straps to raise stuff. This way it's held up without rushing. Reset a 5 section oil boiler that had slipped off crappy blocks with a couple of 2 inch straps.

Big Ed_4

Cats paw and wood

Alan (California Radiant) Forbes

Good to 300 lbs.

Intplm.

Google up "Johnson Bar, or Pry Truck". It looks like this.
Used this tool many times for large heavy objects, radiators, large boiler sections. They can even be used to shift boilers into place.

HydroNiCK

brandonf

Burke bar. 😎

Steve Minnich

I’ve got the pry truck too. One of my favorites tools. I’ve moved 8’ sheet metal brakes with it. It’s a BEAST.

Intplm.

@Steve Minnich I gotta tell ya. That pry truck has saved my back many times. Simple , strong and reliable with a great lineage.......must have been invented the the Egyptians , Romans or Greeks.

dobro23

all those lever type things are nice if you have room for prying. i have that win bag that Alan posted but have yet to use it. i have doubts but maybe it will work. the real fix is the cheap porta power kit and the "birds mouth" wedge attachment from harbor freight. you can get it into position anywhere, and makes a one person job out of anything. wont break the bank and comes with a zillion other attachments for the other zillion things that you didn't know you needed it for.

https://www.harborfreight.com/4-ton-Heavy-Duty-Portable-Hydraulic-Equipment-Kit-62115.html

Hvac_artisan

I would try something like these
http://nestorbars.com/
I’ve been wanting to get one but haven’t pulled the trigger yet just seems like it would be a handy thing to have much more stable than a standard crowbar because of the double feet allowing you to lift in a controlled fashion. Check out some of videos of the Nestor bar in use, it’s pretty impressive.

Hvac_artisan

I have the win bag that Alan mentions. It might do the trick. I’ve only used mine for accessing vehicles when someone locks their keys in their car.

Charlie from wmass

2 foot 2x4 on a couple 2x4 blocks. Put blocks near radiator at end 2 sections in from the legs. Kneel on 2x4 lever while you insert the new block.

ethicalpaul

Please tell us which if any of these you ended up using, this is becoming an epic thread

Charlie from wmass

@ethicalpaul of course it's epic I chimed in. LOL

Seeds

With 2 people I usually have a handtruck on hand and use it as a fulcrum, should be plenty of leverage. The second guy to shim it

Learner35

I usually used the handle of my 2' or 3' pipe wrench, depending upon the size of the radiator. Placed it between the legs on the low end, had different sized shims available right there. One man job.

vibert_c

@Charlie from wmass
Nothing beats keeping it simple stupid! KISS
you throw away or burn the 2x4 when finished rather than haul it around for 20 years!
vibert_c

Charlie from wmass

@vilbert_c nope I carry it around in my truck for years. Lol

Grallert

lever and fulcrum? What was it Archimedes said?