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Martin wrote:Two-man job then do you reckon? 8)
To lift a tank out the top on the likes of Candy or Gorenje, yes.
I had a run in many moons ago with H&S over this with Candy and they said, quite categorically, that the job required two men or we were in breach of regulations. An engineer complained about it and, nicely, claimed (or tried to) injury damages.
The problem was that at the time, unlike with moving actual machines where you could use a barrow or whatever, that it is extremely difficult to actually lift a tank out the top of a washer without risk of an injury. At the time it wasn’t an issue on Zanussi or others where the shell could be removed to allow you to drop or slide the tub out as in their opinion you weren’t taking the full weight.
The solution was a bit of plywood. A sheet inserted (cut to size) at the back of the machine after the tub is disconnected, then you tip the machine to the floor on it’s back and slide the tub out on the wood. It’s a pain and it’s a LOT slower than a two man lift on that sort of construction, but it does work as well as being cheap and simple.
More of a concern, especially on pricing labour for it, on that type of construction is the considerable amount of extra time it takes to remove the tank as, usually, you have to clear everything at the top to allow the tub to be removed. After that there’s the practicality issue that Richard mentioned of actually doing it in-home, many modern homes simply do not have the space required to do the job, especially in flats and “galley” type kitchens.
Zanussi etc, where you can remove the upper or lower weight before a lift isn’t so bad.
Better still is the likes of the ISE design (I don’t know what others do likewise) where you can remove the front panel, get and remove the front weight and the upper or lower weight as well before removal, this makes things considerably easier on the service engineer.
For sealed cabinets that you can’t remove enough to get the tub out we still do them as a two man job wherever possible, it’s safer from a potential damage point of view as well as for the engineer and it makes the job a lot faster.
Of course for sole traders, unless you have a friend or relative that can give you a hand, this is impractical usually and you are responsible for what you do. If you injure yourself then you only claim yourself really. However I did speak to someone who had insured against this risk where, if they were injured and signed of, they got paid and that may be an option for some people that is worth exploring.
HTH
K.
Re: New Forum?…..”Medic Advice for engineers”?
Penguin45 wrote:Quite seriously, Martin – get yourself down to the chiropractors and get crunched.
I’m doing just that this morning at 10a.m Chris. Pain today just as bad so worth getting it treated I guess?
No more drum removals for me. It’s nice to learn though that other members of the older generation are still willing and able to attempt such a risky occupation.
I’m looking forward to a long and pain free life and reducing the serious risk factor of back and vertebra damage at this point would be the most sensible option.
No ruddy drum change is worth it and from now on in I’m taking the “wuzzes” route thanks very much. 8)
Re: New Forum?…..”Medic Advice for engineers”?
Candy, Gorenje, Zanussi, PAH, have you ever taken the drum assembly out of an old English Electric Liberator. Men were men in those days. 8)
The drum assembly on those was heavier than any moderm machine. I would guess that the drum alone weighed almost as much as an ISE 10 complete.
There was one old English Electric engineer called Bob Stoddart, lived up in Broadbottom. He was only 5ft 5in, 8 stone wringing wet, I often used to wonder just how he managed to do Liberator drum out jobs. Turns out he used to take his missus along with him. 😆
We had a large metal slide that went down one side of the drum, machine then laid on its side and the drum heaved out along the slide. Later on when the Zanussi produced 1823/6 Hotpoint models were introduced we were supplied with a black tubular slide that did the same job.
Sadly I think I left mine at our previous house when we moved 26 years ago. 😥
Jim.
Re: New Forum?…..”Medic Advice for engineers”?
I know miele engineers use an A frame type set up which they build up over the machine only takes 2 minutes to put up with a little hand winch which fits on the side.
phil
Re: New Forum?…..”Medic Advice for engineers”?
Oddly I have only put my back out lifting light things, a single oven once comes to mind. I think its the height of it that matters. Also, leaning over doing old fashioned wire for wire timer changes (candy turbo esp) leaves me in pain when straightening up, thank god those are very few and far between these days.
Re: New Forum?…..”Medic Advice for engineers”?
I would have said double ovens pose more of a problem than washing machines when it comes to working alone. I have often thought I should make up some sort of hydraulic platform which could be raised level with the oven prior to sliding it out. I have been suffering with my back for the last week or so and I had to change a fan oven element last Friday in a double oven. I was extremely careful and managed to swap the wires from inside the oven so I didn’t have to get to the back. Obviously this is not possible with some elements as they have studs / nuts or whatever.
Re: New Forum?…..”Medic Advice for engineers”?
Phidom wrote:I would have said double ovens pose more of a problem than washing machines when it comes to working alone. I have often thought I should make up some sort of hydraulic platform which could be raised level with the oven prior to sliding it out.
“Hydraulic platform?”…….Cop this mate………….!!!!!
Where have you been not to have spotted my DIY super dooper oven table before now?
8) 8) 8)http://www.ukwhitegoods.co.uk/modules.p … c&start=45
All my own work and built out of necessity…… 😉
Re: New Forum?…..”Medic Advice for engineers”?
Brilliant 8) Could you tell me the minimum and maximum heights so I can make something similar :tup:
Re: New Forum?…..”Medic Advice for engineers”?
Phidom wrote:Brilliant 8) Could you tell me the minimum and maximum heights so I can make something similar :tup:
The platform minimum height is 50 cm. Maximum height 95 cm. 😉
I designed and built it (with the help of a mate of mine and his skills with a machine shop lathe) way back in 1978. I was main agent for Neff at the time and they produced huge and hefty full size double ovens with central controls. They fitted into wall units that were 50 cm above the ground, hence my minimum height setting.
The top and base is made out of 2 cm marine plywood and after 30 years of heavy use is getting a bit tatty and splinters abound if I’m not careful. But nevertheless is smooth enough to drag a large oven across any floor surface provided I throw a dust sheet on the floor first of course!
HTH? 😀
Re: New Forum?…..”Medic Advice for engineers”?
Our local Bosch / Neff engineer had an adjustable platform when he called to repair our combination microwave which is in a tower above a single oven. He simply raised it up to slide the microwave onto it, dropped it down to carry out the repair , cranked it back up again and the job`s a goodun. He didn`t have to lift anything heavier than his screwdriver. I don`t know if this was something he had bought himself or if it was general issue.
Don
Re: New Forum?…..”Medic Advice for engineers”?
When i was at zanussi i was having to do 4 of these a day (tub outs) got them down to 40mins in the end, but boy did my bones ache.
infact i think i have pulled a musle in my shoulder this week it is thumping like mad!
stuartRe: New Forum?…..”Medic Advice for engineers”?
In order to not put your back out, what method do you guys adopt when lifting a condenser dryer (say a Zanussi for example) off a washing machine and on to the ground in order to lift the lid and repair the washing machine below?
The scenario’s being:-
1. You weren’t aware that the washing machine had a dryer on top when you took the call.
2. You drove over 20 miles to get there.
3. No-one to help you lift it down.
4. It’s in a confined space with no side or rear access.
😯 🙁 :rolls:Re: New Forum?…..”Medic Advice for engineers”?
Martin wrote:In order to not put your back out, what method do you guys adopt when lifting a condenser dryer (say a Zanussi for example) off a washing machine and on to the ground in order to lift the lid and repair the washing machine below?
I’ve just got a weight-lifting belt, like you’d see beefcake wearing at the gym. And I go to the gym every other day to strengthen my upper body, especially lower back.
If trips to the back-doctor could be paid for by the business, I’d be there every week, but they’re not apparantly :/ So I’m waiting till after me summer holidays for a spine MOT.
Re: New Forum?…..”Medic Advice for engineers”?
Martin wrote:Strewth, yesterday I had to lift out the drum on one of those Zanussi washer dryers (WJD1667W it was). Bloke had left a handful of 2 inch lost head type nails in his back overall pocket and the drum seized solid as a result!:
Martin wrote:I wonder how many engineers are off sick as a result of lifting these ruddy things? Must be a flippin’ ‘elf ‘n safety issue’ for employed staff? Two-man job even? Self-employed old git like me and I shouldn’t be doing this at my time of life! :rolls: :
Sorry for your pain Martin but I will suggest one way which can be useful next time also on Miele machines…
Even in electrolux half assembly cases I take off all parts connected to drum… Lay down entire machine on the back side… release shock absorber and resorts and:
– simply get out the drum by pulling out bit by bit (sitting on top) or,
– in half assembly cases lift up the front
Try it and will be amazed what easy one guy job… after a wile you will get experience with that…Martin wrote:Oooooh my aching back…….must lie down with a cuppa tea now! 😉
Now you will serve tea before the job without pain 😛
Re: New Forum?…..”Medic Advice for engineers”?
The easiest way to lift down a drier from a shelf or washing machine is to open the door, put your arm in the drum. Move in until the door aperture is over your shoulder. Then place your hand palm up against the drum and stand up straight. Tip the drier towards you and move it from its position. Get your customer to push the back of the machine against you to steady and guide the machine down. Bend knees and place on the ground.
I always drain down condenser driers to remove as much water as possible before they are moved.
I had a bad fall onto my back early last year and it turned into sciatica. I have never been in so much pain. 😯 Although I am working and generally OK, 15 months later I still have twinges (today it’s really niggling) and I have a numb spot under my foot. My doctor just grins and says, “Ah, that sometimes happens”, which makes a refreshing change from the usual “You’ve got a virus” standard remark. He was not too impressed when his dishwasher wouldn’t work and I diagnosed it as a virus. I stopped short of saying I would leave calling out for a week to see if it fixed itself; he sorta got the point. 😉
I tried a chiropractor but he just clicked everything else but the bit that hurt. 5 sessions – no better. 🙁
I don’t do heroics – there are no prizes for injuring yourself. Yep, I wuss out when I need to! 😉 If I could get myself better then I may think differently – but I would like to be fit and well for as long as possible to enjoy my retirement.
It’s a first – but I have to agree with Martin on this one.There – I said it – OMG……there’s no known cure………….. 😆
Steve.
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