I just got an e-mail from Mt. Hood Meadows say ing "MT. HOOD EXPRESS LIFT is temporarily out of service while the gearbox is replaced. The Blue Chairlift will operate in its place until Mt. Hood Express is back in service." Mt Hood Express is the only High Speed lift leaving the base area.
This could bring extremely long lines to the base area, as on busy weekends Mt. Hood Express and Blue run in tandem to accomodate the crowds (they are parallel). January and February weekends are especially crowded. Last weekend they had all three lots filled, plus people were parking along the access road.
So how long does a gearbox replacement take? I wish I could be there to take some pictures of the replacement goin on.
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How Long To Replace A Poma Hsq Gearbox?
Started by jibij, Feb 06 2004 09:23 PM
3 replies to this topic
#2
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- Administrator I
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Posted 06 February 2004 - 10:01 PM
It would depend if they have the replacement gearbox/parts on site. If they are doing the whole box & it's there already - I would suspect four/five days... a LOOONG four/five days for the monkeys.
- Allan
#3
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- Administrator II
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Posted 07 February 2004 - 12:23 PM
Boy I would say replacing a part in a gearbox midseason is pretty unusual but it has happened.
Generally speaking this gearbox has two different areas. For convenience they are most often called the top half and bottom half. The top half consists of input shafts and a right angle gear (also called a bevel gear) and possibly the first set of planitary gears. Bottom portion of box contains larger set (bottom set) of planitary gears and an output shaft to the bullwheel.
Top half damage – 10 hour fix if the parts are at the area
Top half damage with chunks in bottom half – overnight fix with parts at area.
Bottom half damage – overnight fix.
Overnight fix explanation: Lift area is prepped, this could include, night lights, heaters, food and water for crew, material and rigging in terminal, crew schedules changed two days in advance to accept shift and days off change. Gearbox components on site; note parts that are not stocked in the US can take up to a few weeks to ship regardless of what FedEx would lead you to believe. One separate person to supervise crew for each 8 hour shift. At least 10 if not 20 mechanics to perform change. Each mechanic or mechanic team perform only one or two assembly/disassembly functions. This is for speed and safety. 300+ man hours is not uncommon for this job.
Allan is right with the time allotment. Depends on crew and parts availability.
See other posts with Gearbox in title for more background on this key component of a skilift.
Ryan B
Generally speaking this gearbox has two different areas. For convenience they are most often called the top half and bottom half. The top half consists of input shafts and a right angle gear (also called a bevel gear) and possibly the first set of planitary gears. Bottom portion of box contains larger set (bottom set) of planitary gears and an output shaft to the bullwheel.
Top half damage – 10 hour fix if the parts are at the area
Top half damage with chunks in bottom half – overnight fix with parts at area.
Bottom half damage – overnight fix.
Overnight fix explanation: Lift area is prepped, this could include, night lights, heaters, food and water for crew, material and rigging in terminal, crew schedules changed two days in advance to accept shift and days off change. Gearbox components on site; note parts that are not stocked in the US can take up to a few weeks to ship regardless of what FedEx would lead you to believe. One separate person to supervise crew for each 8 hour shift. At least 10 if not 20 mechanics to perform change. Each mechanic or mechanic team perform only one or two assembly/disassembly functions. This is for speed and safety. 300+ man hours is not uncommon for this job.
Allan is right with the time allotment. Depends on crew and parts availability.
See other posts with Gearbox in title for more background on this key component of a skilift.
Ryan B
www.ropetech.org
#4
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- Administrator II
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lift mechanic
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Posted 07 February 2004 - 07:38 PM
Ouch! What is the damage to the gearbox that would necessitate replacement? Several years ago we had an oil pump fail, causing the bearings in the top end to run dry. After a high-speed run down I-70 to Grand Junction, we got a replacement pump and new bearings. That was a long night, but the lift was up and running at 8.30 the next morning. The day after operation (which was only three weeks later) we tore the entire box apart and inspected everything. As it turned out, all we had to do was replace the remaining bearings- the gears themselves were not affected.
Depending upon what kind of repairs need to be made, Meadows may also have to drop the bullwheel, which opens up a whole 'nother can of worms. For that, a crew needs to detension the lift, take up the slack at the drive end so they can get the rope off the bullwheel, and then rig to drop the bullwheel without causing any major bodily damage or divots in the ramp.
Depending upon what kind of repairs need to be made, Meadows may also have to drop the bullwheel, which opens up a whole 'nother can of worms. For that, a crew needs to detension the lift, take up the slack at the drive end so they can get the rope off the bullwheel, and then rig to drop the bullwheel without causing any major bodily damage or divots in the ramp.
Member, Department of Ancient Technology, Colorado chapter.
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