Lorries with Hydraulic ramps...


I dont own one, but I borrowed my friends once with a hydraulic ramp and the bloody thing broke, whith my horse in the lorry! It was a scorching hot day and my poor horse was stuck in the lorry for 2 hours while we waited for the rescue man. So, in the words of a dragon....For that reason.....I would never buy one, so, Im out!!
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The event yard I used to work on had a lorry with one fitted, it was very easy and no back braking lifting etc, it never broke on us but I suppose anything that is mechanical has the ability to brake and usually at the wrong time!!!! It came with it fitted, but if you find a local horsebox manufacturer/refurbisher etc they should be able to advise on getting one fitted.
 
A friend of mine has one. It was fine until she went to load at 6am one morning and it was broken. She ended up phoning round for a lorry as the show she was going to was a really important one. Apparantly, you are supposed to pull them up level anyway or you will wear the motor out.
I think its easier to visit your local lorry person and ensure your ramp is properly adjusted so its easy to self lift.
 
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I dont own one, but I borrowed my friends once with a hydraulic ramp and the bloody thing broke, whith my horse in the lorry! It was a scorching hot day and my poor horse was stuck in the lorry for 2 hours while we waited for the rescue man. So, in the words of a dragon....For that reason.....I would never buy one, so, Im out!!
tongue.gif


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Hydraulic ramps have a bypass valve so that you can easily open them manually. Its should have been just in front of the ramp on 1 side...
 
We had one on the work lorry, it was a nightmare, it either jammed up, down or the motor didnt switch off!!
Standing at the ramp pressing the button while nothing happens and everyone wondering what you are doing is v embarrassing. The override on said one broke!!!!
 
I went to see a lorry with one, loved the wagon but didnt fancy the ramp so asked about the over ride, they werent sure as never used it but pressed a button and the ramp dropped to the floor like a ton of bricks.. Thank god no one was under it! We then tried to lift the ramp up again as he didnt know how to get the over ride off and it was almost impossible. I dont like them.
 
It depends on the type. Mine has one and its excellent. They can either be designed to stay closed or fall open if they brake, mine is designed to fall open so your horse is never going to get stuck in the van. Obviously it doesn't fall open bcause it has catches to keep it shut like a normal ramp but it means its completely safe. When I went to look at it I asked them to show me what happened if you did it manually. Mine is fine for two people to do manually.
 
Ooh this is very interesting! Thanks for all of the replies so far!

Has anybody got any piccies of their lorries with their hydraulic ramps?

Sorry to be a pain!!
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Hi, our last three HGV lorries have had a hydraulic ramp fitted to them as I just cant manage the ramp on my own, as due to the size of the lorry its large and therefore heavy. I think they are a godsend and wouldnt willingly go back to a manual. Mine can be operated on unlevel ground and has a safety pin which you just pull out and the ramp operates on the springs as normal so I am a complete fan!
 
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