Method and apparatus for lifting grates

A method of lifting a grating assembly from a supporting structure, comprising steps of:

• inserting at least one grate lifter between at least one pair of surface bars of the grating assembly;
• installing the at least one grate lifter with the grating assembly;
• engaging a hoist with the at least one grate lifter;
• moving the at least one grate lifter, via the hoist, from a retracted position to a lifted position;
• engaging at least one hook member of the at least one grate lifter with one of a surface bar of the at least one pair of surface bars of the grating assembly and a cross member of at least one pair of cross members of the grating assembly when the at least one grate lifter is provided in the lifted position;
• disengaging at least one tab of the at least one grate lifter from a lock bar of at least one pair of lock bars of the grating assembly when the at least one grate lifter is provided in the lifted position;
• and
• lifting the grating assembly from the supporting structure.