.
.
"The Back Lift Apparatus must be
approved by the head official
prior to the lift to verify the
Apparatus is safe. The platform
in which the lifter places the
back on must be level to the
floor, and it may rest on
supports of a Back Lift
Apparatus or be part of a
moveable rack. Typically, the
Back Lift Apparatus will have
two support legs, but four legs
are allowed. The lifter assumes
a position in the Back Lift
Apparatus in which the hips
and/or back are in contact with
the platform, and the hands and arms braced in front. Feet placement is optional. The
feet must not move during the lift, but the heels and toes may rise. The lift begins at the
lifter’s discretion. The lifter is allowed one test lift to check the balance of the weight
and to make adjustments to the platform height. The lifter will then lift the weight off
the support legs. The legs must straighten, but the knees do not need to be locked.
Once the weight is motionless and off the support
legs at the same time, an official will give a
command to end the lift."
Basically, a backlift is a heavy platform upon which weight is rested across the back, using the legs and back muscles, the object is to move the massive amount of weight even a tiny bit. Basically, break it from it's resting place. On Anderson's backlift, he's credited with #6270, but my understanding is that it was never officially weighed. They just piled a bunch of heavy things on a backlift table( weights, a safe, chains, and other assorted junk) and said it was 6270 lbs. Many have run the numbers, and feel it was much less ( Joe Roark is one, and he's a straight shooter).
The backlift is a very showy lift, show girls, ponies, and in one case, a baby elephant was used over the years.
