A method and apparatus for moving rolls of plastic material from one location to another. The apparatus consists of a belt that is tightened around the periphery of the roll. Strategically positioned lift attachments are positioned on the belt so that various diameter rolls can be moved by the same belt.

A lifting ring assembly is designed for lifting barrels that have at least a partial circumferential radial extension above an outer diameter. The lifting ring comprises a split ring and a cross brace. The split ring comprises two half ring segments having mutually attachable ends. The inner diameter of the split ring is smaller than the outer diameter of the partial circumferential radial extension. The cross brace comprises first and second rigid arms having top ends and bottom ends. The top ends are mutually pivotally connected by a pivoting mechanism. The bottom ends are fixedly connected to a midpoint of the half ring segments, respectively, such that the cross brace is perpendicularly oriented to the split ring and the rigid arms pivot in a vertical plane. The lifting ring may be modified to lift with a fork lift truck with a cable loop that extends from the pivoting mechanism. Two semi-circular inserts that are removably attached to respective half ring segments may be disposed on the split ring and extend radially inwardly. The attached semi-circular inserts reduce the inner diameter of the split ring allowing for drums of different outer diameters. An aspect of the invention may be fabricated with aluminum for strength, low weight, and cost.

A pipe remover for extracting a buried pipe from the ground by pulling an exposed end. The remover includes a grasping dog which engages the exposed end and a pushing dog which engages the buried trailing end. The two dogs are connected by a drawing element. By pulling outwardly on the drawing element, the pulling force is divided between pulling action on one end and pushing action on the other end. The pipe is usually extracted without breaking but, even if it breaks, is pushed through. The pipe may be simultaneously replaced by attaching a new pipe to the trailing end of the pushing dog.