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Need a tool for lifting a radiator

ansky201
ansky201 Member Posts: 1
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?

Comments

  • hot_rod
    hot_rod Member Posts: 22,020
    a crowbar and block of wood?

    An inner tube and air pump
    Bob "hot rod" Rohr
    trainer for Caleffi NA
    Living the hydronic dream
    Tinmanethicalpaulpsb75
  • STEVEusaPA
    STEVEusaPA Member Posts: 6,506
    edited May 2019
    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
    ethicalpaul
  • Tinman
    Tinman Member Posts: 2,808
    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.
    Steve Minnich
    ethicalpaulKC_JonesIntplm.
  • RapidRoy
    RapidRoy Member Posts: 5
    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.
    SeanBeanspsb75
  • Big Ed_4
    Big Ed_4 Member Posts: 2,761
    Cats paw and wood
    I have enough experience to know , that I dont know it all
  • Alan (California Radiant) Forbes
    Alan (California Radiant) Forbes Member Posts: 3,977
    edited May 2019
    Good to 300 lbs.


    8.33 lbs./gal. x 60 min./hr. x 20°ΔT = 10,000 BTU's/hour

    Two btu per sq ft for degree difference for a slab
    Intplm.dobro23
  • Intplm.
    Intplm. Member Posts: 1,880
    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.
    psb75dobro23Grallert
  • HydroNiCK
    HydroNiCK Member Posts: 182





    Intplm.
  • brandonf
    brandonf Member Posts: 205
    Burke bar. 😎
    Homeowner, Entrepreneur, Mechanic, Electrician,

    "The toes you step on today are connected to the butt you'll have to kiss tomorrow". ---Vincent "Buddy" Cianci
    dobro23
  • Tinman
    Tinman Member Posts: 2,808
    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.
    Steve Minnich
    Intplm.
  • Intplm.
    Intplm. Member Posts: 1,880
    @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.
    TinmanSeanBeans
  • dobro23
    dobro23 Member Posts: 71
    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
    Gordo
  • Hvac_artisan
    Hvac_artisan Member Posts: 21
    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
    Hvac_artisan Member Posts: 21
    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
    Charlie from wmass Member Posts: 4,318
    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.
    Cost is what you spend , value is what you get.

    cell # 413-841-6726
    https://heatinghelp.com/find-a-contractor/detail/charles-garrity-plumbing-and-heating
    vibert_c
  • ethicalpaul
    ethicalpaul Member Posts: 5,695
    Please tell us which if any of these you ended up using, this is becoming an epic thread :lol:
    NJ Steam Homeowner. See my sight glass boiler videos: https://bit.ly/3sZW1el
    Grallert
  • Charlie from wmass
    Charlie from wmass Member Posts: 4,318
    @ethicalpaul of course it's epic I chimed in. LOL
    Cost is what you spend , value is what you get.

    cell # 413-841-6726
    https://heatinghelp.com/find-a-contractor/detail/charles-garrity-plumbing-and-heating
    ethicalpaul
  • Seeds
    Seeds Member Posts: 1
    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
    Learner35 Member Posts: 5
    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.
    Grallert
  • vibert_c
    vibert_c Member Posts: 69
    @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
    Charlie from wmass Member Posts: 4,318
    @vilbert_c nope I carry it around in my truck for years. Lol
    Cost is what you spend , value is what you get.

    cell # 413-841-6726
    https://heatinghelp.com/find-a-contractor/detail/charles-garrity-plumbing-and-heating
    ethicalpaul
  • Grallert
    Grallert Member Posts: 643
    lever and fulcrum? What was it Archimedes said?
    Miss Hall's School service mechanic, greenhouse manager,teacher and dog walker