I use a single piece of heavy gage all-thread drilled thru both sides near the top of the barrel. Attach with a heavy washer/bolt on each side inside, and a washer/threaded collar/eye-bolt on each end on the outside. For hooking and hoisting, a length of cable is attached to both eye-bolts with wire rope clips. To secure the lid in place and keep the cable from pinching in on the barrel, we use a piece of pipe or tubing, with a hole drilled in both ends even with the eye-bolts (wider than the barrel lid) for the cable to run thru. Tap down on this tube/bar as you start to put tension on the lift, and the lid is locked in place. Last time I checked, this cost me about $8 per barrel, but I did already have some of the parts available.

Clear as mud? I can get pics or do a sketch if anybody's interested.

Please send sketch or pictures to dlallder@aceweb.com. Thanks

just a thought for you. I don't like ladders or seeing people use them either. I back my truck up so that a corner of the rear is under the feeder - the rear\tailgate coming almost in contact with a leg and another leg close to the passenger side rear wheel. This puts the feeder barrel in perfect position for removing the top and filling it without having to lean or stretch. I stand up on the edge of the truck- one foot on the tailgate another on the side and dump corn into the feeder from there without fear of falling. The wider stance is ever more stable than a ladder and no bag over the shoulder having to climb up and down. Makes it fast and very convenient. If this is an option for you I would try it before buying anything to see if you might like it.