Want to use a pulley /counter weight to open metal hatch door to cellar

MACrowley

I have an outside metal hatch door on my cellar that weighs about 30 pounds. The door is sloped-walled and hinges at the top; opening at the front at ground level back towards the wall of the house. The door is hard to open if I'm trying to carry anything.

Last year I installed a pulley arrangement with a counter weight (2 bricks) but have not been able to position the pulley so that the door is easy to lift. It does stay open with the bricks to hold it and once I lift the door about 2 feet off the ground, the pulley works well to carry the weight of the door.

I first used nylon rope which lasted a little more than a year before it wore out. Since it's time to re do it, now I've bought some plastic coated wire clothes line which seems to work much better with the pulleys. So I'm back to locating the pulleys to make the door easy to open at ground level since I have not yet been able to position the pulley so that the door is easy to lift. Your ideas would be very helpful.

James Con

Why not try to fabricate some kind of bracket so you can attach a hydraulic strut to each side. Give these people a call they might be able to help you. http://www.easylift.com/?gclid=CPzbz...FQrAGgodHHjtYw

TazinCR

You might be able to get a pair of gas struts at the auto supply that will work.

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Yoyizit

Post side and front view photos and/or drawings. It should be easy. Or not.

MACrowley

Ended up buying metal doors that hinge from the sides instead of the top. Much easier to operate. Thanks for your help.