15 replies to this topic

[Kicking Horse]

What are teh pros and cons of each?

[liftmech]

Fixed Grip pros:
-reliable
-lower cost to buy
-lower cost to maintain
-good for beginner areas and specialised areas like terrain parks

detachable pros:
-marketing value
-cuts ride time
-higher capacity

[SkiBachelor]

That's an idea, how about we design a sheave that lasts longer on chairlifts, especially a high speed lift. :) Maybe that's why lift manufacturers don't do that because they like that source of income.

[liftmech]

Could be... although there are a few accessory manufacturers who make sheave liners and on some fixed-grip lifts, they last twice as long. The higher rope speeds on detachables just wear out the bearings and liner faster no matter who makes them, though.

[KZ]

They could probably do something to make them last a bit longer

[SkiBachelor]

Would it be possible to design a sheave without wheel bearings? I thought of a design that uses magnets instead of wheel bearings. You know who two magnets rebel each other if they are bot the negative charge, so the wheel would float? This way the bearings wouldn't wear out so you will be able to get longer life out of the sheave wheel. Wow, think of all the money we could make if we invented this design and got a patent for it, that's if this design would work. The only problem would be designing something that wouldn't allow moisture/snow/water into that inner gap and allow it to freeze.

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[Allan]

Those would have to be really strong magnets. There's a lot of weight on a sheave. You could remove the chairs to make the liners last longer ;)

[SkiBachelor]

Well in Germany, they are building a train that runs on magnets, so that's where I got the idea. I mean a train weighs a lot and the magnets didn't look that big so I thought this might work. Magnets have a lot of potential engery, so I thought this might work.

[Kicking Horse]

back to the topic plz.

[floridaskier]

They're building one of these in China. I saw something about it on the discovery channel.

[CAski]

I think it's built, but I don't think it is very long.

[floridaskier]

No, but it's supposed to be really efficient and doesnt require that much maintainance because there's no friction between the train and the rails

[KZ]

cool stuff

[liftmech]

If CDOT had any brains, they'd look into maglev between DIA and the High Country. Right now all they want to do is widen I-70, which won't accomplish anything except more congestion.

[Kelly]

Liftmech has a very good point stating 4 key aspects of change with detachables vs. fixed.

Other hidden aspects-

Higher effective capacity due to easier loading and unloading (see any Warren Miller movie of "unloading follies".
With a fixed grip quad the speed of lift is half or less. And carrier interval is same 6 seconds. A fixed lift actually "holds" more skiers in the air.
Higher skier density on slope, due to (see above) effective capacity and more skiers on the slope.
Reduced skier visits due to higher slope density.
More accidents due to higher skier density.
Shortened day for most skiers due to physical challenge of twice as much vertical feet skied.
Shortened period of time between major rest breaks.
Longer skier rest breaks.
Higher peak usage of rest break areas (bathroom, cafeteria etc.)
More grooming needed due to higher skier density.
Better grooming machines needed for slope reconstruction.
Better trained snow cat drivers.
Increased costs to retain better drivers.
Higher fuel consumption due to increased grooming hours per acre.
Increase maintenance costs to snow cats due to higher usage (a given).
Increased maintenance costs of lift due to complexity of design.
Increased costs to train and retain lift mechanics.
Increased costs for lift prep in heavy icing conditions. Detachables with a heavy ice load need up to 20 people to "de-ice" a lift. 4 on up-line + operator, 4 on down-line + operator x both terminals = 20.
Better designed lifts due to owner and maintenance suggestions.
===================================
Shorter lift lines.
Higher obtainable vertical feet per day.
Higher vertical feet per ticket cost.

The 3 positive aspects above usually outweigh the negative aspects of a higher effective capacity that comes with detachables.

Ryan B

[KZ]

very true