A machine cherished deeply by skiers.
However once the temperature rises and resorts close down the lifts aren’t just idle until winter returns.
The chair runs at the same speed the whole time unlike a high speed lift.
Ever wonder why the high speed lifts slow down at the bottom and top?
They are a more complicated and modern machine that require more maintenance.
The work car is a modified chair that is essentially mobile scaffolding.
While on line you have to wear a harness and remained clipped in the whole time.
Tower
D: Terminal work involves the engine, the gearbox and the bullwheels.
Like any motor, the oil needs changing and filtering.
Very few ski areas these days use the diesels for everyday operation (I think Mt.
Baker is one of the last ones still in the stone age).
The bullwheel also needs to be greased which can take anywhere from 1-5 hours depending on the size.
The tires go flat and the belts will fray and need replacing.
This ensures that each chair gets done once every 5 years.
The detachable grips can have up to 50 parts depending on the make.
Some rely on dual spring packs to open and close, some have torsion bars.
We have three different types of detachable grip at our mountain alone.
If they discover a crack on any of the parts, that part fails.
This rarely happens, but when it does its a huge pain.
Sheaves, grips, assemblies etc.
Rebuilding sheave wheels takes a lot less time, usually about 20 min per wheel depending on the size.
Some of the larger terminal sheaves can take a few hours.
He then determines which lifts need to be spliced or have a complete haul rope replacement.
Splices are an intense project that require 10 or more people plus the specialist.
The typical haul rope consists of a core surrounded by 6 strands.
If I had a dollar for every time someone asked me “so you’re a lift mechanic?
What do you do in the summer?”
I’d be a wealthy individual.
