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[jkhackney]

The municipality has begun installing underground distributed heating under our road, along with new electric and water lines.

I was assured I'd have access to my house during the work, and I still did when I left yesterday by bicycle. I returned home to find that they'd cut us off from the road! To get out, now, on foot, car or bicycle, we need to use the neighbor's drive. The trick is, can the Dormobile maneuver there? I hardly ever use it, but bad luck would have it that I need to do some test drives in it, now, before our autumn adventure in it.

Who thinks I can get out? (The white car and the ladder are mine and of course I can move them. The neighbor's drive continues straight to the right, so I'll be backing out to the left along the green arrow. But can I manage the turn before that?).







If it's going to get out, I need a way to steer while standing still. I tested scraps of metal cut from a paint can as swivels. It'll work to steer the wheels, and I've already improved on the method.

https://youtu.be/MAnj1w9dqh0

I still foresee a bit of Austin Powers before I'm out.

-Jeremy

[island dormy]

  Hi Jeremy

  If you grease the pieces of metal that helps immensely, now I know Switzerland does not like oil or grease on their roads so maybe you could use butter or margarine instead, you know something that wont hurt the environment?

  Maybe start a weight lifting program to improve your arm muscles?

  I'm out of ideas good luck.

  Victor

[oddjob]

Think it would be easier to steal your neighbours bridge. 

Good luck!

[Worf]

A pair (or even 4) of these https://www.sgs-engineering.com/wd2000-450kg-wheel-dollies

Cheap, rugged and have definitely paid for themselves.

[jkhackney]

Here's another view from the neighbor's that makes me less pessimistic, but you can't see how little space there is behind the Land Rover before the pit starts. I have maybe 1.5m in front of the Land Rover in which to make a 45 degree turn.

I agree Victor, a bit of grease and bigger, thicker pieces of steel.

Wheel dollies (or trolley jacks) occurred to me, to move the rear axle sideways. Do they work on asphalt? Or sink in? My trolley jack has made some dents sometimes. The pavement is smoother near the road, so there's hope. But it's very rough at the front tires and dollies wouldn't work there.

I was also thinking of putting a thick wooden board on some round metal stock and lowering the rear of the Land Rover onto it, but something's sure to break that way, or roll out of control.

I'll try steering, first!

Jeremy

[Genem]

^^^^ Agreeing with the usefulness of the SGS Dollies, which have helped put the Ambulance in a corner of my shed, but given the shipping delays probably not much help right now...

A high-lift jack in "casting" mode, if you have such a thing ?  Anywhere local that might have a hand operated winch ?  Here in the UK HSS have Tirfor type winches to hire?

https://www.hss.com/hire/p/tirfor-winch-800-1200kg

Otherwise its a 33 point turn I suspect...

[Wijendra]

^^^, it would definitely be a multi point turn, with the aid of a good spotter.

When steering, I would suggest to slip the clutch and rock the car forward and back until full lock will help reduce the effort

Would also suggest get that, car, ladder and the green pot/bin out of the way

[Worf]

Those dollys have quite large cast iron wheels so move even on rough concrete. You could also put some plywood under them to spread the load. Maybe you could hire some locally

[g6anz]

Two sand ladders or similar and back out across the trench?

[ChrisJC]

Two trolley jacks under the back axle, one on each spring hanger. Then just push the back of the vehicle sideways to where you want it.

Engage 4WD, and you could drive it slowly as well with the back swinging around.

Chris.

[Big-chris]

Move the white car first then Just put 50psi in both front tyres and hey presto instant power steering, reverse a tad right hand down, forward left hand down bit of ‘to me to you’ and your out, just park both motors at a right angle to the neighbours drive.... easy 

[JonA]

ah - Chris beats me to it....

looks to me as though you could drive it out, might take plenty of forward/reverse manoeuvres to fiddle it round.
stick a bulk of timber across the drive edge so you don't end up in the ditch as you reverse.

or you could ask the contractor to put some road plates down for you to cross directly out...

[jkhackney]

Thanks everyone-

yes the ladder and white car will move! Green bucket is compost, so a bit messy to move it. But this was considered, as well ... also the squash, melon or zucchini that migrated by itself from the compost bin may be run over.

the gap's too long for the contractor's metal plates. they weigh 2 tons apiece, he says, not something I can manage, myself.

I also thought of using my engine crane to lift the back and wheel it sideways ...

I put rocks in the way so I won't fall into the pit ... they used to be part of the road.

Raising the tire pressure in front was also considered ... then I'd need to reduce pressure again to drive ...

Meanwhile here's my swivel solution. It works as if the vehicle is up on jackstands, no resistance at all! Super turbo power steering! In fact, I may use this in the future for steering adjustments. I should make a new movie.

It's four old enamelled steel covers from our old electric stove. Two stacked on each other makes a swivel, and a chunk of wood inside lets me drive onto them without crushing them. The only downside is that I need to drive onto them, can't push the Land Rover onto them.

I'll try to break out tomorrow-

J

[w3526602]

Hi,

Are "contractors" allowed to trap your car like that? Try demanding that "they" recover your vehicle, or buy you a Hi-lift jack..

Do you have HOME START, and would swivelling "spectacles" reach?

On one occasion, I threw a chain over a front wheel, and dragged the front of a car sideways.

Towing dolly?

602

[Clifford Pope]

What's that box thing a few feet to the rear of the LR, on the edge of the drop? Can that be moved?

You appear to have about about 6 feet clear behind you including overhang- isn't that enough to make a series of forwards/backwards movements?

You need a Volvo 240 - easy 3-point turn. :)