A handy folding homemade ramp

[Dragonslayer]

I pulled my back working on a flagstone path and for a few weeks I was incapable of loading my mower into my truck . I was not about to buy a ramp that I will not frequently use, so I put my braincells to work and went through my personal lumber yard and put together a custom fitted folding ramp that has proven to be extremely useful . I made it to fit compactly in the bed of the truck, I used spring loaded hinges and a hook and eye to keep it closed when not in use . I take it off the truck resease the hook/eye and it springs open on its own . It works wonderfully, my back appreciated the break and I no longer have to pick up my mower to load it . I have a dumping garden cart that I use the ramp to load it up . The design is very simple to replicate and it can be built wider and stronger to accommodate larger carts or mowers .

Martin

[0700]

who needs "popular mechanics" when you've got the roc

kudos on the solution

[LadyRidge]

Martin..your a genius!!
I wonder if I can make this work for loading/unloading my Mom's very heavy, back breaking electric wheel chair??
The Ridge is so high and I can seldom find a place that brings the chair while it's on the ground up to the level of the Ridge.

[BillB]

I like the little side rails to keep the wheels from going sideways. I know from bad backs and it is usually the side twisting force that is not expected that does the worst damage. How long is your ramp, does it fit in the 5 foot bed? My home made ramp is nowhere near as sophisticated but it is made of two - 2 by 12s that are 10 feet long. My tractor must weigh about 400 pounds and needs that much length of ramp to go in straight enough to not get the tractor bottom hung up on the tail gate. I might now go add some little side strips to those big planks to "steal" from your design.

[Dragonslayer]

I'm sorry, I should have gave measurements . It is exactly 60 inch's long and 30 inch's wide, as I push the mower up I can walk right between the ramp boards and the reverse taking the mower off . I load the ramp next to the mower in the bed . I used to piss off one of my clients every time I would create something useful , she would say " well aren't you clever " , I don't work for her anymore[ thank you, thank you , thank you god ] . She is a rich, cruel and wicked old woman like the woman on Dolores Claiborne with Kathy Bates, I call her the wicked witch of the east because she lives east of me in town and her house keeper calls her the wicked witch of the north . The wicked witch part is obvious . I try to refrain from replacing the w with a big B , but only out of courteousy .

[meanmachine19]

Nicely done! Think I may need to borrow your 'patent'

Now, if I can do the same for the riding mower.....

[ChrisM]

Very Nice... That is an invention I can appreciate.