Grate lifters for moving grating assemblies relative to supporting structures within which the grating assemblies are installed. A grate lifter may include a main body having a first end and a second end longitudinally opposite to the first end. A grate lifter may also include at least one hook member operably engaged with the main body at the first end and configured to engage one of at least one surface bar of a grating assembly and at least one cross member of the grating assembly. A grate lifter may also include at least one tab operably engaged with the main body at the second end and configured to engage at least one lock bar of the grating assembly. The at least one tab may be configured to be adjustable from an initial position to a bent position to engage the at least one lock bar of the grating assembly.

A manhole guard, methods of assembling the same, and methods of using the same, are described. The manhole guard generally includes a plurality of sections connected for movement, the sections being capable of being locked into a fixed rigid structure through the use of a first arm and second arm that act independently of each other. The manhole guard can include attachable mounting brackets designed to facilitate the attachment of a hoist device and/or winch.

A manhole cover lifting tool includes an elongated bar. A pivoting L-hook and a fixed J-hook are attached at one end of the bar. A pivoting support base is attached between the ends of the bar. The support base includes a pair of legs extending from a base assembly. The base assembly includes a first plate, a second plate and a turntable bearing disposed between the first plate and the second plate. A cap fitting threadedly engages an end of the bar. A cleanout tool extends from the cap fitting into a hollow interior of the bar. A light source is attached near an end of the bar. A handle assembly is clamped to the bar between the support assembly and end.

A fulcrum prybar includes a shaft portion extending along a first axis, a curved prying portion affixed to a first end of the shaft portion, and a fulcrum portion affixed to the curved prying portion. The fulcrum portion includes two rectangular portions fused together to form an obtuse angle or a right angle cross section. One of the two rectangular portions is oriented such that it is flush with a horizontal surface while the prybar has partially raised an object from the same or another horizontal surface.

The Hands Free Grating Remover is a mechanical device designed for use in raising or lowering grating with a hands free approach. To accomplish a hands free approach an integral cantilever pivot point is used to apply force or remove force from one side to accomplish raising or lowering grating with the other side. For determination of safe and unsafe places to put hands, and integral color coding has been specified.

Embodiments of the application can provide methods and systems for the adjustment of gate valve boxes using custom fit gate valve box adjusters and the like. A gate valve box adjuster may include an alignment portion, an engagement key, a base plate, angle plates, and perhaps even an extension bar which may be attached to a motor and equipment.

A manhole cover lifting tool includes an elongated bar. A pivoting L-hook and a fixed J-hook are attached at one end of the bar. A pivoting support base is attached between the ends of the bar. The support base includes a pair of legs extending from a base assembly. The base assembly includes a first plate, a second plate and a turntable bearing disposed between the first plate and the second plate. A cap fitting threadedly engages an end of the bar. A cleanout tool extends from the cap fitting into a hollow interior of the bar. A light source is attached near an end of the bar. A handle assembly is clamped to the bar between the support assembly and end.

An ergonomic apparatus for handling a hinged lid that reduces force required to open the hinged lid and bending by a user, maintains the lid in an open position to prevent accidental closure of the lid, and assists with closing the lid. The apparatus has a horizontal member with an attachment means for removably coupling the apparatus to the hinged lid, a vertical member extending from a proximal end of the horizontal member, and a handle in operable communication with the vertical member. The vertical member and handle are configured relative to the horizontal member such that when the vertical member is positioned on a flat surface, the handle is raised above the flat surface by about 10 to 25 and the hinged lid is maintained in an open position having an angle greater than 90 relative to an opening the hinged lid was covering.

A pry bar includes a member having a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion, a prying member arranged at the second end; and a retractable end guard moveably mounted at the second end. The retractable end guard is selectively configurable between a first position in which the retractable end guard covers the prying member and a second position in which the prying member is exposed.

A manhole cover moving assembly and method for moving a manhole cover works to lift, lower, rotate, extend, retract, and laterally displace a manhole cover over a short distance and in difficult to access areas. The moving assembly detachably attaches a hitch to a mobile mount for portability. The moving assembly provides a mast and a shaft that operate at adjustable relative to create mechanical advantages while moving the manhole cover. A telescoping support arm adjusts the angle of the shaft relative to the mast. The shaft carries a pulley apparatus and a cable that suspends the manhole cover. The mast rotates about a hitch. The shaft pivots about the mast. The shaft also extends and retracts. Further, as the angle of the shaft is changed through manipulation of the telescoping support arm, the mechanical advantage is increased for facilitating movement of the manhole cover.