7 replies to this topic

[JSteigs]

So as mentioned in the "new lifts for 2009" topic I said I would start a topic to help explain the process of turning a double chair into a triple chair. The basic steps (as far as I can tell so far) are to remove all the chairs, remove the haul rope, take down all the tower heads, take the sheave assembles lifting frames and stirrups from the tower heads, weld the lifting frames and stirrups to wider cross arms and add the assemblies, swap out the drive, primary driver, and gearbox, replace the tower heads with the new ones, and add a new rope and add new carriers. This is obviously an extremely abbreviated explanation, post all questions and I will do my best to get back to you.

[DonaldMReif]

Could same be said for "triple to quad"?
Although I have seen triples with quad width towers (e.g. Ruthies could be converted into a quad when the time comes)

[Lift Dinosaur]

To be brief, ANSI addresses "line gauge" as width of carrier in relation to swing clearance. I believe the accepted standard is 11' for doubles, 12' for triples, and 13' for quads.
Therefore you can actually have an engineered axle extension (I believe the lift in question is the YAN formerly known as Bailey's Beach)to achieve this line gauge change rather than removing and remanufacturing your crossarms. The bullwheels also need to meet this criteria and the terminal clearances also need to be checked for compliance with Standard.
Got to go to dinner -

Dino

[vons]

pebble creek ski area in Idaho completed a double to triple change in the way Dino explained with longer axles, new bullwheels etc.
pebble creek picspics2

[JSteigs]

Lift Dinosaur, on 27 August 2009 - 04:46 PM, said:

To be brief, ANSI addresses "line gauge" as width of carrier in relation to swing clearance. I believe the accepted standard is 11' for doubles, 12' for triples, and 13' for quads.
Therefore you can actually have an engineered axle extension (I believe the lift in question is the YAN formerly known as Bailey's Beach)to achieve this line gauge change rather than removing and remanufacturing your crossarms. The bullwheels also need to meet this criteria and the terminal clearances also need to be checked for compliance with Standard.
Got to go to dinner -

Dino

I couldn't tell you why Squaw chose to remanufacture the tower heads instead of adding longer axles. I would assume it was a decision made by the engineer who designed the retrofit and the profile (three towers were supposed to be made taller but only got added height). You are correct about the bullwheels, I must have forgotten to mention that. The lift got new bullwheels that had been removed from older Yan triples.

[skiersage]

vons, on 27 August 2009 - 05:42 PM, said:

pebble creek ski area in Idaho completed a double to triple change in the way Dino explained with longer axles, new bullwheels etc.
pebble creek picspics2

Good stuff. Thanks for the link. Does anyone know the manufacturer of that lift? Looks like something superior tramway might make but I can't be sure.

JSteigs, on 28 August 2009 - 08:35 AM, said:

The lift got new bullwheels that had been removed from older Yan triples.

What type of carriers are being used? Are they going to be used Yans or will they be new?

[JSteigs]

The carriers are used yan triples.

[FSJ]

skiersage, on 28 August 2009 - 09:10 AM, said:

Good stuff. Thanks for the link. Does anyone know the manufacturer of that lift? Looks like something superior tramway might make but I can't be sure.

The Aspen lift is a Yan-Huntzinger.

The change to a triple was started by Don Larson and completed by Aerial/Superior. Original bullwheels were 10', terminals were modified for 12' wheels. Tower caps were cut near the tower clamp and approx. 1' added to each side.