Quote:
Originally Posted by Zona_The_Bus
I have a 1997 international Thomas short bus with a Handicap lift, unfortunately I do not have enough people to help get it out and I am extremely clueless on how to disconnect it from my engine. I am converting it in San Diego CA and would like to sell it to put the money back in my conversion. ANY TIPS ?? 
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This is a little crazy, but I would probably try it. I don't have any experience with this & I don't know how your lift works. Work the lift multiple times and study its operation before starting.
I would lower it down so that it is sitting on the ground, than disconnect the mounting bolts to the bus. If the hydraulic pump/reservoir was attached to the ramp so that it would fit thru the opening and the electric power cable long enough (can be lengthened), then I would try to operate the lift to raise the ramp. Hopefully, the lift being unbolted, would lower itself down to the ground if the lower section has enough weight to counter balance the weight of the pump and upper section. It may also be possible to put a heavy, loose wrap over a hose fitting (danger...high pressure hydraulic fluid is bad news) and wearing goggles and protective gear, crack it just enough to bleed off the fluid and have it slowly descend like a bottle jack.
Study the setup and some form of this plan may be workable. Be careful and no bystanders to get fluid squirted onto. Stay out from under the load and keep all body parts out of any pinch points. Watch out for springs, if there are any. They can catch you by surprise very quickly.
If you don't feel comfortable hire a mechanic or someone who does feel comfortable to do it. Stay away from idiots.
At the very least you should be able to get a good portion of the bulk and weight onto the ground leaving less to deal with. Then take it apart piece by piece and reassemble it on the ground or plug the hoses and load in a vehicle. The hydraulic fluid will make a mess if you don't use common sense.
Take pics before you start and at every step to help whoever tries to reuse/install it. At the very least the pump/reservoir and ram should be usable for other projects by somebody.
I'm leaving mine in my bus, because I have heavy stuff to unload/load and the lift is rated to 800 lbs. It was one of the criteria when I was shopping for a bus.