The other day SWMBO commented that the sewage interceptor tank was smelling a bit in the hot weather.
(this is a 800 gallon brick lined cavity in the ground that takes the raw sewage, and the overspill flows off to a Klargester at the farm next door).
So I had a look at it, and noticed that the key holes seem larger than I remembered, and also it seemed to have acquired a somewhat curved profile - lifting at the corners. I tentatively put a foot on the edge and it seemed rather more flexible that it used to be! So I thought, probably time for a replacement. When ordering the steel for my railings the other day I also got a sheet of 3mm chequer plate (Durbar Grade S235).
So I chopped out a (slightly larger and better fitting) rectangle of that. And bent up and welded some proper handles to it (rather than the key holes through it), and then braced the back with some 3/4" square hollow section tube.
Today I swapped out the old for the new and got a chance to see what state the old one was in.
Looking at the back of the old one, I am glad I did not put any real weight on it! There was not much metal left: