32 replies to this topic

[Snoqualmie guy]

Are some lifts known to be more reliable? I know age of the lift can come into effect.

[ccslider]

Reliability = The lifts that were initially designed appropriately for their application and that have adequate R&M budget line items and technical staffing (compensation package + education + job satisfaction).

[SkiBachelor]

I think all manufactures experience ups and downs with the reliability of their lifts. There are several causes on why this happens, like experimenting with new technology which still has several problems with the application they intended its use for.

[DonaldMReif]

The newer the lift, the more reliable it is, is key.

Between high speed quads with chains versus those with tires, the tire equipped ones are more reliable because there's less likely going to be an issue on having the chair be coming in at a specific time so that it joins the chain teeth correctly.

[Allan]

DonaldMReif, on May 9 2009, 10:18 AM, said:

The newer the lift, the more reliable it is, is key.

Really? I was called out more to our one year old Doppelmayr than our 30+ year old lifts this year...

[arialropewaymillwright]

Well I wish I could agree with DonaldMReifh but Allen's right. Newer usually only means more things to go wrong. The biggest problem is that newer lift designs and installations are forever more complicated. Dopplemayr would be one of the worst offenders in my opinion. Don't even get me started about carrier spacing systems..
The fixed grip lift should be hands down the most reliable so it would be great if there could be a definitive answer regarding manufacturers by the members of this website. Now of course there is always the legendary Yan which was pretty much founded on keeping things simple.....and that cleary didn't work out for the better.. so maybe my theory ain't what it used to be.
I'll stick with whatever ccslider said...LOL
A.R.M. out

[DonaldMReif]

I second my old post and mean swap it. The longer you have some lift on your mountain, the more likely it will be reliable because you've spent enough time knowing how to solve its problems. Only, where do you get the parts for a Doppelmayr built in 1986 when you need to repair it? Today, lifts can more easily be patched up but the old lifts? They also show signs of aging and wearing down.

[Snoqualmie guy]

so simply, fixed grip is more reliable and Yan was to becuase it was built of simplicity. And Dopp has some things to work out.

[Emax]

Snoqualmie guy, on May 9 2009, 08:01 PM, said:

so simply, fixed grip is more reliable and Yan was to becuase it was built of simplicity. And Dopp has some things to work out.

Dopp has some things to throw out.

[mikest2]

Snoqualmie guy, on May 9 2009, 07:01 PM, said:

so simply, fixed grip is more reliable and Yan was to becuase it was built of simplicity. And Dopp has some things to work out.

In a word.....No !
Any machine is only as reliable as its components, it requires the mechanics and electricians to understand it fully. It is only an inanimate object.
There is no definitive answer to this. A fixed grip is simple, so it is inherently more reliable. Detachable (and newer fixed grip) Doppelmayr, Poma and Leitner systems are all different, and very complex. They get more complex every year. Some manufacturer's parts wear out faster than others, or wear can be caused by poor setup. Reliability is understanding your machine..knowing what it needs when. They are Fords and Chevys. You take care of them and they'll take care of you !!

End of rant.

[Peter]

I'm going to say what I've said before; let's let the industry folks who work on these machines answer questions such as this one. Those of you like myself who do not work on them for a living have no experience with which to base a proper answer. Thanks.

[mikest2]

DonaldMReif, on May 9 2009, 03:36 PM, said:

I second my old post and mean swap it. The longer you have some lift on your mountain, the more likely it will be reliable because you've spent enough time knowing how to solve its problems. Only, where do you get the parts for a Doppelmayr built in 1986 when you need to repair it? Today, lifts can more easily be patched up but the old lifts? They also show signs of aging and wearing down.

In answer, Doppelmayr still carries parts on the shelf, for my 1963 and 1971 lifts. The only parts problems are for orphan lifts.

[Snoqualmie guy]

True skier, but if I was to ask Poma or Doppelmayr. They would have a opionin that was leaning toward themselves. So here I thought I could get a equal opionin but I guess not.

[Peter]

Snoqualmie guy, on May 10 2009, 01:03 PM, said:

True skier, but if I was to ask Poma or Doppelmayr. They would have a opionin that was leaning toward themselves. So here I thought I could get a equal opionin but I guess not.

It's a valid question and I am all for asking questions such as these, I just think those answering them should have the knowledge to answer them properly.

[Aussierob]

Only electrical parts problem that I know Doppelmayr has are high speed input cards for the P8 PLC's.

[mikest2]

Aussierob, on May 10 2009, 03:18 PM, said:

Only electrical parts problem that I know Doppelmayr has are high speed input cards for the P8 PLC's.

I think that is more of a Pilz problem, as Pilz decided to make them obselete, I think the first generation PSS analog input cards have met a similar fate. On the brighter side, the more complex they become, the less likely it is that WE will become obselete !

[vons]

I will take any lift that is not a prototype and is well known by a responsible mechanic, Eagle is the most used lift at copper running all season and all summer yet it is very reliable other than the odd electrical fault or broken grip spring it runs like a champ same to with flyer. Now age does eventually take its toll and product support does come into play at some point. We have a Yan that now has mostly Doppelmayr guts which other than lift ops leaving in top stops or turning off the heat at night runs very well.

[vonrollskyway1]

this topic is a bit out of my league,but ill give my two cents on the most reliable lift..to me it depends on the maintance personal.im pretty familiar with the vr 101s by vonroll.longlasting lift=yes.high cost oh yes thats the very bad side.some of these lifts are still running from the late 1940s in the chec republic.here in san diego,the san diego zoo runs there vr 101 about 10 hrs a day.pretty reliable lift.the only problem ive have ever incountered with the vr 101 is a grip getting jammed in the pressure beam.pain in the neck to dislodge a grip..my vote is for doppelmayr.that company has a ton of experts on all sorts of lifts from almost all manufactures..great topic..

[2milehi]

mikest2, on May 9 2009, 08:42 PM, said:

In a word.....No !
Any machine is only as reliable as its components, it requires the mechanics and electricians to understand it fully. It is only an inanimate object.
There is no definitive answer to this. A fixed grip is simple, so it is inherently more reliable. Detachable (and newer fixed grip) Doppelmayr, Poma and Leitner systems are all different, and very complex. They get more complex every year. Some manufacturer's parts wear out faster than others, or wear can be caused by poor setup. Reliability is understanding your machine..knowing what it needs when. They are Fords and Chevys. You take care of them and they'll take care of you !!

End of rant.

+1

Preventative maintenance, aggressively going after “gremlins”, and intimate mechanical and electrical knowledge of the lifts are key elements in minimal down time whether new or old.

[lift_electrical]

I 100% agree with those that stated great original set up, becoming both mechanically and electrically intimate with your machine and being aggressive towards your problem areas will lead to a machine that will (HOPEFULLY right from the get go) become a reliable machine. Support from the manufacturer is huge and has a place in the discussion of reliability. I think in some areas of these machines, lack of support translates to unreliable equipment. Bad rap and frustrating for everyone on the end user side.

I am a Doppelmayr fan but think there are still Doppelmayr/CTEC issues. Hopefully these will eventually work themselves out.

My .02 worth.