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Post by rcblvr on Mar 27, 2012 19:41:42 GMT
Has anyone had a hydraulic ramp fitted to their lorry? Please could you tell me how much it cost. Had a couple of quotes but wonder how competitive they are. Thanks
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Post by junetimp on Mar 27, 2012 22:34:13 GMT
Yes I have had a hydraulic ramp fitted to my lorry and I would not be without, its worth any amount of money.
It cost about £1300 4 years ago.
You do need someone who knows what they are doing because you can have serious problems if its not done correctly.
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Post by thelwell on Mar 28, 2012 7:03:03 GMT
Yes I had an hydraulic ramp for years and at the time thought it was the best thing since sliced bread until the day that someone tampered with the adjustment switch whilst parked at a show as they were trying to put my ramp up in order to get past. I had no idea that this had happened as the ramp was down as I had left it on my return. Ramp went up ok I went home and the following week put pony on lorry put ramp up got to show after travelling 2 hours and couldn't get the ramp down to get pony off talk about panic. Returned home and Husband realised that the switch had been tampered with and got our pony off. Also there were some horses that burnt alive on the motorway when their horsebox set on fire and the man whose hydraulic ramp fell on him at Hickstead as someone had tried to force the ramp up manually. In a fire the manual overide wouldn't probably work as it works off the lorry electrics. Sorry to be so negative but please be aware of the pros and cons
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Post by rcblvr on Mar 28, 2012 8:28:56 GMT
Ok, I have been quoited £1500- £1800. So may try and find another quote.
Unfortunately I have a back condition and I'm not meant to be riding really, let alone putting a heavy ramp up/down on my own. So I don't really have much choice. I thought the manual override would overcome any electrical fault? Maybe it would be worth putting a warning sign on the ramp when it's down???
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Post by greengage on Mar 28, 2012 8:37:05 GMT
After Brian Lears horrific accident at Hickstead last year I would think very carefully before having a hydraulic ramp....Some people put his up manually whilst he was in the ring, obviously this would have taken several people as a hydraulic ramp is very heavy. The pressure built up in the hydraulics and when he returned to his lorry and unclipped the ramp , the pressure caused the ramp to drop straight down on top of him . Brian is now in a wheelchair and unlikely to walk again.
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Post by rcblvr on Mar 28, 2012 8:41:54 GMT
Yes I read about Brian Lears horrific accident. That is why I was wondering about putting a warning sign/note on the ramp?
I don't know what else to do though. I travel a lot on my own and my ramp is heavy, and after driving/doing the ramp yesterday I am in a lot of pain.
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Post by tuppence on Mar 28, 2012 9:11:37 GMT
I wouldn't touch one with a barge pole.
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gem86
Full Member
Posts: 415
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Post by gem86 on Mar 28, 2012 9:28:46 GMT
How about fitting a winch maybe? There are always people willing to help lift/lower ramps at competitions (I should know, I'm often seen hanging off mine in an attempt to lower it!) but a winch would help you raise it again at the end of the day. Much cheaper to fit too!
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Post by semperfi on Mar 28, 2012 10:10:03 GMT
I used to think they were amazing, and now wouldn't touch one with a barge pole, mainly due to the accidents/incidents cited above. If you speak to a good mechanic they can fit springs on your lorry that would make the ramp featherweight to lift. My friend has an HGV, very heavy duty ramp (has Suffolk Punch's) and had really good springs fitted - I can lift it with one hand!
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Post by baileybob on Mar 28, 2012 10:36:39 GMT
Agree with Semperfi - I had new springs fitted to my old lorry ramp and I could literally flick it all the way up with one flick of a hand - its was extremely light and no strain on my back at all, it also came down safely and slowly to head height and was easy to push down. Might be an option?
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Post by rcblvr on Mar 28, 2012 14:51:41 GMT
Ah, new springs might be an idea! When I got my lorry years ago I got my mechanic to adjust the springs but never thought replacing them would work.
I need to do something and don't want to be relying on other people- was on my own yesterday and had to do the ramp.
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Post by haggismarmite on Mar 28, 2012 15:03:25 GMT
I just collected my lorry from having the electrics done and we were chatting about this as I wouldn't have a hydraulic system fitted either - he has just fitted a 3rd spring to a lorry for someone and said it's fantastic so i'm planning on saving up to have my springs redone this summer too (although my ramp is incredibly light anyway but I have to park on a slight hill which is hard work on your own!)
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Post by nici on Mar 28, 2012 15:29:09 GMT
My lorry has a hydraulic ramp, but must admit I prefer the manual ones I've had on previous lorries. As long as your springs are good, a manual ramp should be light enough for one person to lift. Not had any problems with the hydraulic one, but just seems like another thing that could go wrong.
I don't think it would be possible to lift mine without the electrics, however in an emergency there is a way to lower it without electrical power.
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Post by junetimp on Mar 28, 2012 17:26:04 GMT
Yes I have had a hydraulic ramp fitted to my lorry
Just wanted to add that we also have springs on our ramp as well as the hydraulic lift. So it can not fall on you and in an emergency you can pull it up and down manually if everything else fails or in case of fire.
I too like you have no alternative.
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Post by victoria (highhill) on Mar 28, 2012 20:02:40 GMT
Would never have a hydraulic ramp - hear of too many disasters with them - just have really good springs
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Post by ramphydraulix on Jun 12, 2014 18:59:58 GMT
Hey
I know this is a little late in answering but I have just joined this Forum. I convert spring ramps to hydraulics in my spare time. If any one ever needs a quote let me know. Ive been fitting them now for four years and never had any problems.
My design is virtually tamperproof and includes an emergency lower system. (Takes around 15 seconds to operate)
Yes I agree you really have to know what your doing as there are a lot of pitfalls whilst fitting. I reject a few each year because the structure of the truck isn't strong enough.
And yes they do cost between £1400 to £1900 depending on the truck.
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Post by judyh on Jun 12, 2014 19:10:44 GMT
Just seen this thread.
Milleeca Horseboxes fitted a winch for me .
It was brilliant, to lower the ramp you released the tension by hand . No chance of ever getting into trouble with the ramp stuck up.
That's why they advised this method of assisted lifting.
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Post by Dipsy on Jun 14, 2014 7:39:20 GMT
Our previous lorry had a hydraulic ramp. Our current one doesn't. We had loads of problems with the ramp on the previous lorry and wouldn't have one again.
As it' been mentioned get the right springs on the lorry and it takes a huge difference
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Post by junetimp on Jun 16, 2014 21:56:16 GMT
Yes I have had a hydraulic ramp fitted to my lorryJust wanted to add that we also have springs on our ramp as well as the hydraulic lift. So it can not fall on you and in an emergency you can pull it up and down manually if everything else fails or in case of fire. I too like you have no alternative. This is exactly what I have and I wouldn't be without my hydraulic ramp. Its the second Box I have had with this type of ramp. I did without other things (including living to start with) when I had it converted just to have this type of ramp. |
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Post by jonstairs on Apr 25, 2016 9:09:06 GMT
Hey I know this is a little late in answering but I have just joined this Forum. I convert spring ramps to hydraulics in my spare time. If any one ever needs a quote let me know. Ive been fitting them now for four years and never had any problems. My design is virtually tamperproof and includes an emergency lower system. (Takes around 15 seconds to operate) Yes I agree you really have to know what your doing as there are a lot of pitfalls whilst fitting. I reject a few each year because the structure of the truck isn't strong enough. And yes they do cost between £1400 to £1900 depending on the truck. |
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Post by jonstairs on Apr 25, 2016 9:09:21 GMT
Hey I know this is a little late in answering but I have just joined this Forum. I convert spring ramps to hydraulics in my spare time. If any one ever needs a quote let me know. Ive been fitting them now for four years and never had any problems. My design is virtually tamperproof and includes an emergency lower system. (Takes around 15 seconds to operate) Yes I agree you really have to know what your doing as there are a lot of pitfalls whilst fitting. I reject a few each year because the structure of the truck isn't strong enough. And yes they do cost between £1400 to £1900 depending on the truck. |
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Post by jonstairs on Apr 25, 2016 9:10:11 GMT
I need a hydraulic ramp fitting
Please can you email me on jon@kwikstairs.co.uk
Thanks
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Post by kateanne0 on Apr 25, 2016 12:49:53 GMT
How about fitting a winch maybe? There are always people willing to help lift/lower ramps at competitions (I should know, I'm often seen hanging off mine in an attempt to lower it!) but a winch would help you raise it again at the end of the day. Much cheaper to fit too! My son fitted a winch to my lorry running it off a car battery. It was really easy to use and I just needed to charge battery every now and again. Anyone doing this, make sure you have the correct type of winch. We googled (as usual) found a company gave them a call to explain what we wanted and it arrived a few days later. As I recall, it was less than £200 - much cheaper than changing to a hydraulic ramp! And, if battery fails, the ramp can still be operated as normal.  |
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Post by shettiefan on Apr 27, 2016 12:17:34 GMT
Had a lorry with hydraulic ramp. Can't say I really liked it but we did have an override on it so if for any reason hydraulics went wrong we could wind the ramp down by hand. Always worried about it getting stuck.
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