41 replies to this topic

[LiftTech]

Mount Snow Lift 2 Nitro Express, 1100 fpm, did I miss it on the list?

[garthd]

I believe the Wildcat Express at Wildcat, NH is the fastest in the state. According to the Skilifts.org database, it has a design capacity of 1100 FPM.

[catskills]

I believe the speeds listed are the speeds they are capable of running at. Yesterday I checked out the computer screen on the new High Speed Detachable Quad at Belleayre (Superchief). The computer screen was constantly updating the speed from 900 to 907 feet per minute. It will be interesting to see what the speed will be listed on the SAM reaport of 2006 chairlift installation.

Anyone else know of different operating speed then the lift capacity listed in the SAM report?

[SkiBachelor]

The new HSQ at Belleayre is listed at running 1000 fpm. However, if it was windy there, maintenance might have been running the lift slower than usual.

[aug]

aug, on Feb 8 2007, 08:10 PM, said:

I don't know where you guys get your info but Timberline Lodge Magic Mile Express is capable of 1200 fpm. I used to work as the Lift Maint Manager there.

I stand corrected the official top speed of the mile is ....1100fpm my memory must be fading in my old age please disregard. my most humble apologies

[spunkyskier01]

they run the lift at belleayre slower because 1000 fpm is a little fast and the lift needs some adjustment.

[Aussierob]

catskills, on Feb 18 2007, 06:29 PM, said:

I believe the speeds listed are the speeds they are capable of running at. Yesterday I checked out the computer screen on the new High Speed Detachable Quad at Belleayre (Superchief). The computer screen was constantly updating the speed from 900 to 907 feet per minute. It will be interesting to see what the speed will be listed on the SAM reaport of 2006 chairlift installation.

Anyone else know of different operating speed then the lift capacity listed in the SAM report?

Most lifts are not operated at their maximum speed at all times. At WB, our quads are all rated for 5m/s (1000fpm) but only operate at that speed on busy days. mostly we run at 4.2-4.6 m/s. (840-920fpm).

[WBSKI]

oh really? I thought they only ran at 4.0m/s.

[andyh1962]

catskills, on Feb 18 2007, 09:29 PM, said:

I believe the speeds listed are the speeds they are capable of running at. Yesterday I checked out the computer screen on the new High Speed Detachable Quad at Belleayre (Superchief). The computer screen was constantly updating the speed from 900 to 907 feet per minute. It will be interesting to see what the speed will be listed on the SAM reaport of 2006 chairlift installation.

Anyone else know of different operating speed then the lift capacity listed in the SAM report?

I am not an engineer or a lift mechanic but one year I had chat with a lift operator who was running a high speed six pack chair. The chair was not being run at its max because the chair was brand new, (third day operational). Would you drive a brand new high speed sports car at max speed on an empty highway? Some people might but the car might be damaged in the process. I know that the manufacturer of the four wheel drive car I own intentionally detunes the engine and transmission for the first 24,000 kilometres until the engine is broken in a bit. After 24000 km, the engine management computer chips are reprogrammed to "tune" the engine for proper performance.


Same concept probably holds for ski lifts, run them slower than full speed for a while so the various parts can get used to working with each other. saves a bit of maintenance in the long term.

This post has been edited by andyh1962: 23 February 2007 - 07:08 AM

[catskills]

Thanks that all makes sense. I know the first week of operation they had some additional stoppage on the new HSQ. From what I understand the computer sensors monitor spacing between chairs. If the spacing is not correct it stops the lift. Not sure what or how the lift computer tries to correct the distance between chairs.

I am sure their is a lot of fine tuning to get a ldetachable ift to operate at its maximum rated speed. There is definitely a lot more moving parts.

This post has been edited by catskills: 23 February 2007 - 01:43 PM

[Callao]

So all in all it sounds like there about 100 lifts that are all the fastest at 1,100 fpm.

[porter]

I did not see Big Mountain's Glacier Chaser on there. Seemed like a fast lift.

[skierdude9450]

Are chairlifts even made anymore that are more than 1000 fpm? That was the fastest on this year's construction survey, and last year, there were two lifts in all over 1000 fpm.

[Peter]

Glacier Chaser runs at 1000. Skierdude9450, I am sure the only reason there haven't been any built recently only because no one has wanted one to run faster. There is no reason they would stop making them.

[skierdude9450]

Yes, although I don't think that Doppelmayr CTEC makes faster that 1000 unless it is a UNI-G terminal because it says on thier website for UNI-GS that it has speeds up to 1000 fpm. So can they accomodate 1100 fpm at all?

[liftmech]

A 6200' (say, our Eagle) lift at 1100 FPM takes 5.65 minutes to ride. The same lift at 1000 FPM takes 6.2 minutes. Less than 30 seconds ride time difference- does it really matter whether it's 1100 or 1000?

[mikest2]

liftmech, on Feb 28 2007, 05:35 AM, said:

A 6200' (say, our Eagle) lift at 1100 FPM takes 5.65 minutes to ride. The same lift at 1000 FPM takes 6.2 minutes. Less than 30 seconds ride time difference- does it really matter whether it's 1100 or 1000?

Not once you are on the lift, but when you are standing in line it does.

[Outback]

andyh1962, on Feb 23 2007, 07:07 AM, said:

I am not an engineer or a lift mechanic but one year I had chat with a lift operator who was running a high speed six pack chair. The chair was not being run at its max because the chair was brand new, (third day operational). Would you drive a brand new high speed sports car at max speed on an empty highway? Some people might but the car might be damaged in the process. I know that the manufacturer of the four wheel drive car I own intentionally detunes the engine and transmission for the first 24,000 kilometres until the engine is broken in a bit. After 24000 km, the engine management computer chips are reprogrammed to "tune" the engine for proper performance.
Same concept probably holds for ski lifts, run them slower than full speed for a while so the various parts can get used to working with each other. saves a bit of maintenance in the long term.

Interesting theory...however these lifts are suppose to be tested at loads never to be seen again at their highest speed prior to public riding them. At 2-3 million for a new six pack I would want mine to jump out of the box on the first public day! No exceptions allowed.

[liftmech]

mikest2, on Feb 28 2007, 08:23 AM, said:

Not once you are on the lift, but when you are standing in line it does.

I suppose from that standpoint the speed difference would get more people up the hill, lowering wait times

[Jonni]

I have seen in many situations with HSQ's both with the Sunapee Express here at Sunapee as well as HSQ's elsewhere that they have run at a slower line speed for any number of reasons either for high winds, minimizing slows and stops, or minimizing wear and tear on the lift. It's nice to ride (and run) a HSQ when it is turning at it's full design speed, but I can fully understand keeping it slower for those reasons.