I don't have any difficulty lifting it on its side without any mechanical devices. I guess that I still have my basic strength, that a lot of others at my age have lost. Once it is on its side, I can change the blades and do other maintenance work. As a safety precaution, it should be chained to the wall when left unattended. Right now, the mower deck is standing upright about 6" from the side of my 1964 Chevrolet Corvair Spyder, and if it wasn't safe, it wouldn't be anywhere near that car. That car is worth more than my tractor with all of its attachments.