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While the world is full of handymen, there is probably no handier group of people anywhere than your local lift maintenance crew. In fact those who know (or soon figure out) from all walks of resort life realize that these guys can be often called upon to do all sorts of crazy things. How many people keep a massive 35 year old jalopies’ running day in and day out, through all sorts of weather and often on a shoe string budget? Within this group can be found electricians skilled in both high and low voltage systems and PLC controls, mechanics skilled in rigging, hydraulic systems, metal fabrication and too many other things to write. This crew has to be creative, innovative and must be able to fix things quickly and under a lot of pressure. They also must be able to take apart and fix some very large pieces of machinery in the most remote locations.
Consider this: in order to change an internal gearbox bearing, lift maintenance personnel may have to de-tension a lift of hundreds of thousands of pounds, remove a five-ton bullwheel and take apart a six-ton gearbox, all on site with no crane. Nobody is fearless, but in some endeavors one is challenged with putting their fears aside, and this is often the case with the “men in black”
Here’s another scenario worth considering… When removing an old remote Yan lift tower (no anchor bolts). In order to accomplish this, first most of the tower itself is cut away at the base with a torch. Rigging must then be attached by climbing the now structurally compromised tower, then a helicopter is brought in and a man must climb back up the tower and attach the rigging and climb down quickly, while another man then cuts the remaining tower tab while the helicopter (hopefully) has a secure grip on the tower. The cutter doesn’t know really witch way the tower may spin or kick out once it’s free. While some repairs might call for a high tech solution utilizing computer diagnostics’, you better believe some problems have actually been addressed with duct tape and bailing wire.
Lift Maintenance usually has the best snowmobiles so they can be called upon for quick uphill transportation, and emergency response. Lift Maintenance is hard work with a finite deadline and the work is subject to rigorous inspections. So it’s no surprise that the people involved in lift maintenance take major pride in what they do, they love a challenge and any problems that can be fixed with a good dose of ingenuity… So it’s no small mistake that people learn to count on and take advantage of the people from lift maintenance. So here’s to my brothers… the first beers on you!
So here is a REAL list of questions and problems put forth over the years to these crews of your local lift maintenance… And my brothers; feel free to add to it.
Do you have any duct tape?
Can we borrow your bolt cutters?
Can you fix our hot wax machine?
Is there a way you can rig a cable up there in ____ bowl to get bombs up there?
Can I get a snowmobile ride?
Can you give _____ a snowmobile ride?
Do you have any nuts, bolts, screws, fuses, zip ties…? Etc…
Do you have a spare radio we can borrow?
Can you fix my radio?
Will you take these_____, to the backside? burgers, buns, sodas, ropes, bamboo, etc…
*NOTE rarely is lift maintenance trusted with beer except in dire circumstance were they’ll accept a possible loss…
Mr. Ski-resort-owner has a friend with a house in the village who needs to get a piano that won’t fit up the stairs to the third floor of his house; can you guys help us out here?
Hey ____ from marketing called and can we paint the lift red for a photo shoot?
Can snowmaking borrow a couple of your sleds, theirs are in the shop?
The VCR in the children’s center won’t work, can you fix it? Yes just remove the power ranger from the thing…
We need to open lift ___ early for ____ can we do that?
Can you fix the toaster in the patrol shack?
The GM wants a wind meter installed in his office. (Hmmm wonder if we can make it read 15% higher)
When will the wind stop?
Can you fix the race timer?
Hey do those solar panels out there by the road power the ski area? No there wind fences…
Can we borrow your______?
Is there any way to get this grizzly bear up the lift? Don’t worry he’s tame…
But my all time favorite is… Hey we bought you guys some beer for all your help…
This post has been edited by towertop: 02 March 2013 - 05:54 AM
