Bell System and other Manhole Covers

[Greg G.]

How heavy are these?  I discovered these by the layover on one of my bus routes.  I've been parking there for years, but didn't discover them until recently because the spot where I usually park is having some work done on the sidewalk, so they moved the bus stop up about half a block.  There are two of them.  One is right by where the bus parks.  When I saw it, I went looking for more and found another up at the corner. 

[HarrySmith]

If you plan on picking them up, I will take one!

[G-Man]

Hmm...     Do you have any plans for this particular one in the near future?   It would make quite a display;-)

[WEBellSystemChristian]

Those Bell System man hole covers are everywhere in my area! I barely give them a second look since my phone hobby took over!

[AE_Collector]

If you plan on picking them up, I will take one!

Will they fit in a "Flat Rate Box"? They are freakin Heavy! Im guessing at least a couple hundred pounds?

Terry

<edit> I just Googled "Man Hole cover weight". One site says 90 to 150 pounds, another says 250 to 300 pounds. I guess there are varying scenarios but any I have been involved in moving didn't weigh 90 pounds nor likely even only 150 pounds.

Terry

[Phonesrfun]

You probably don't want to hang one on the wall    .  I am sure they are heavy since they can take the weight of things like one of your buses running over them day in and day out.  In Walla Walla we have a mixture of Bell System and US West covers.

[Greg G.]

You probably don't want to hang one on the wall    .  I am sure they are heavy since they can take the weight of things like one of your buses running over them day in and day out.  In Walla Walla we have a mixture of Bell System and US West covers.

Actually, they're on the sidewalk, so they only get foot traffic.

[electric al]

You probably don't want to hang one on the wall    .  I am sure they are heavy since they can take the weight of things like one of your buses running over them day in and day out.  In Walla Walla we have a mixture of Bell System and US West covers.

Actually, they're on the sidewalk, so they only get foot traffic.

Just for fun !  Feel free to add to this > 

USES For Manhole covers   ......

#1   Watch Fob .
#2   Ear Ring .

[Greg G.]

I wonder if you can rent these?

http://www.amazon.com/Manhole-Cover-Lift-Dolly-Aluminum/dp/B000OP6UWI

[Dan/Panther]

Just a minor observation on my part, I noticed a few requested that Briny send them one. What about the big hole left behind ?
D/P

[NorthernElectric]

What about the big hole left behind ?

I was wondering that myself and imagined some poor soul walking down the sidewalk with his eyes glued to his smart phone falling in.

[19and41]

I would invest in a pair of steel toed footwear if you plan on dancing with one of those covers. 

[Greg G.]

Just aminor observation onm my part, I noticed a few requested that Briny send them one. What about the big hole left behind ?
D/P

I would climb down into it and look for more Bell System artifacts!  Piece of plywood and some duct tape for the hole.

[skyrider]

I seem to recall they are near 300 pounds. I have pulled them with a man hole hook and I'm 5'8" 180. Yes you had better dance when it comes free. Sometimes if it had a lot of dirt stuck around the edges we would use a tool like the one amazon showed. The old timers loved to take a rookie out to one that was welded shut to see them try to open it. Fun days at the phone factory.  Bill Compton

[dumb_old_guy]

They are heavy enough that I still have a thumbnail that grows a little wonky from mashing myself when I was 13.
We used to tie skateboards to our bellies and a flashlight to the sides of our heads and explore all the storm sewers and cable vaults we could access. In retrospect, it was dangerous and stupid...but it was the '70s and no one wore bicycle helmets, either. 

cheers
Rob