Advice on removing vintage TV from loft

[tis your junk]

Hello all

Mods if this is in the wrong area please move.

I have the task of removing a couple of old/vintage TV from a the loft of a typical 30's semi. Can anyone offer advise on the "proper" way to do this? As they are either heavy or of an awkward shape or both carrying them down a rather rickety loft ladder is not something I'd view with enthusiasm.

So ideas please!

Regards

Nick

[Peter.N.]

You really need two strong people, one lowering from above and one catching from below. Unless its a pre war set it shouldn't weigh more than about 25kg. You could always put some rope round it if it makes you feel more confident.

Peter

[Freya]

If it was me i would build a platform under the hatch which would take the weight of a strong person plus the tv, it should be at a comfortable height to allow a second person to manoeuvre and lower the set between both people.

[peter_scott]

If they'll pass through the hatch that way then carry them face down as you are less likely to swipe the necks off their CRTs.

Peter

[mark pirate]

I agree, pass them face down to a second person.
I have retrieved a few old telly's from lofts, some times they have to come down diagonally due to the shape, be very careful not to bump the bowler hat!
Remember, what went up must come down

Mark

[mole42uk]

I've moved 21" monitors from the loft on my own a couple of times. I used a rope attached to one of the beams and slid the monitor down the loft ladder.

Quite safe, so long as you secure the rope properly around the TV and the beam!

Richard

[julie_m]

You definitely need an assistant; also, ropes, blankets and bungee cords.

It might also help to rig up a video camera, serving a monitor in the loft, so you can see what is in the shadow of the TV as it is being lowered.

[paulsherwin]

If there is a properly fitted loft ladder, then it will be much stronger than it looks. Somebody got these things up there in the first place! I agree with others though, you need a rope and a second person. Double check that the rope is securely attached and can't work free, and that the TV is stable.

[HamishBoxer]

You need a fit second person and of course are they small table or heavier console TV's.

[paulsherwin]

Make sure you agree emergency procedures with whoever is at the bottom of the ladder. If the TV falls, for whatever reason, it's very unwise to try to catch it. You need to agree in advance under what circumstances the person at the bottom will jump clear and let it fall.

[HamishBoxer]

Like without being funny, it is coming towards them and there is risk of injury. Depending on size, carefully covering the set with say a quilt and two people lowering down if access permits may be the best way as no one is directly underneath.

[paulsherwin]

A second person underneath the lowered object can manipulate it so that the load stays on the sloping loft ladder rather than slipping to one side disastrously. As I said, it's important to agree what to do if things go wrong beforehand.

[evingar]

Originally Posted by HamishBoxer

Like without being funny,it is coming towards them and there is risk of injury.Depending on size,carefully covering the set with say a quilt and two people lowering down if access permits may be the best way as no one is directly underneath.

Hmmm, reminds me of the time we decided to lower a full filing cabinet down some steep ladder stairs in an industrial unit (on the basis that we couldn't be bothered to empty it first) - Someone's "granny knot" came loose and the thing hurtled down at a rate of knots and smashed straight through a stud wall at the bottom - "bollockings" all round but at least there was nobody the "wrong side" of the thing !

[emeritus]

I have a convenient roof beam above my loft hatch, and use a block and tackle and rope that was amongst my late brother-in-law's effects and was probably used on his yacht to raise the sail: a double pulley block at the top and a single pulley block at the bottom gives a 3:1 mechanical advantage and makes getting heavy stuff in and out of the loft a doddle. Using a pair of ordinary single-pulley washing line pulley blocks would give a 2:1 mechanical advantage.

[tis your junk]

Thanks for all your replies, currently I'm looking at a "Combination platform ladder"that I can site under the hatch and pass things down that way. Although I agree with Paul that correctly fitted loft ladders are safe and stronger than they look, this one is I think too small for the job and in fact, in "normal operation", it hangs almost vertical. Indeed in order to give me a bit more control I put the bottom on a block of wood to get some "slope" so I could bring the smaller boxes down. Doing that however moves the bottom of the ladder next to the wall making it difficult for someone to stand "square" on at the base, making controlling objects on the ladder that much more difficult.
I also thought of the block and tackle idea but unfortunately the only available beam is too low.

Whatever I do I will heed Paul's advise and make sure everyone is well briefed.

Thanks again

Nick

[Maarten]

Also, especially for the person below, always keep the screen towards you. This will put the center of gravity as close to you as possible.

[Heatercathodeshort]

I suggest you erect scaffolding and install a temporary escalator to allow safe descent down the stairs. An alternative approach would be removing the gable end of the semi [this would probably involve the demolition of the garage] hire a cherry picker and extract them via the new opening.
High Viz must be worn together with stout boots, anti implosion protection and hazard goods training. I presume you have a written hazard report and filed it with the required authority.
Alternatively you could bring them to the edge of the loft opening and with care, struggle them down as they were struggled up. Use a blanket to protect the cabinet from the ladder.
I must be getting old..
Regards, John.
PS. I dare say one of the trendy colleges will do a degree course, 'Removal of old television receivers from loft area'. This may not help with your problem but might aid with obtaining an executive job with one of the equally trendy town Councils.

[brianc]

Who's a cynic then John?

[beamcurrent]

At work when rigging monitors to football gantries etc, we used a "lifting Bag", it was strong with handles that a rope could be attached to.

[Station X]

The bags which sand and gravel are delivered in might serve as a substitute even though they're quite large.

http://www.wickes.co.uk/Hippobag-Midi/p/152852