8 replies to this topic

[Kicking Horse]

When they do load tests do they have the chairs loaded both on the uphill side and downhill side or just uphill?

What tests do they do during the load test?

[Allan]

If it's an uphill only lift - just the uphill side will be tested. If it's an Up/Down both sides will be tested, but there will only be buckets on one side at a time (unless they run them around the BW to test the other side). Such things as brake torque/distances are tested, rollback, overspeed... fun stuff like that! I'll elaborate more when I have some more time!

[liftmech]

Load tests are fun! Well, not exactly, but you never know what's going to happen. In the States, design load is 170 lbs/person, so you get the appropriate amount of containers per chair and start filling them up with water to the desired level. It ends up being around 20 gallons of water at 8.25 pounds/gallon. Then you just load up every chair on the heavy side until the loaded chairs reach the top. Usually you leave enough empty chairs before the top to allow the chair to reach full speed; this is to test the drive's capability to pick up the load. Then you do a couple full-speed stops, both normal and emergency. You lift off the brakes and allow the lift to roll back onto the high-speed backstop. You move the lift forward, disable the backstop, and allow the lift to roll back onto the drive sheave brakes to test the rollback switches or speed potentiometer. Finally, you run the desired number of loaded carriers around to the light side, whether it's one in four like most lifts or all like the Eagle or Breck's Colorado, and run your braking tests again. At the end of the day everyone is quite wet from filling and emptying the water containers, but hopefully your lift proved itself.

[Kicking Horse]

i'm guessing no one has a video of the whole load test process. or even parts of it.

[crazyskier91]

If you go to Okemos web site they have pictures of the load tests of the Jackson Gore express.

[Kicking Horse]

yea that's pics not video ;)...

i have been there before.

[SkiBachelor]

Does Eskimo count?

[Kicking Horse]

--- not really. I have seen that video so many times. And in fact when i get on a riblet that video pops into my head.

[liftmech]

The problem with having a video of the load test is that unless you set it up in advance, everyone is too busy to hold the camera :) We may be load-testing the Eagle this summer, so maybe we'll look into it. They're not all that exciting, really. Pretty mundane unless something goes wrong or something unexpected happens.