Riblet bottom terminal with vault drive.Top tension terminal.Unloading area and top lift shack.View down line from the top.Top bullwheel from the unload ramp.View down the line.Another lift line view.Lower section of the lift.Bottom terminal and load area.
If the riders are unloading when the chair is on the bullwheel, the ramp is built wrong. Also, the additional weight from a person in the chair is negligible compared to the load from the tensioned haul rope, so that’s not really a factor.
Many older lifts did it this way. In the case of top-tension lifts like this, the unload point that we’re used to on modern lifts would fluctuate over time, and when you have a manmade ramp structure that doesn’t work too well. Old chairs 4 and 5 at Baker, to use an example, had both scenarios. 4 had a top tension setup and you unloaded at the last tower. 5 had a fixed return and you unloaded at the bullwheel. Both lift shared the same ramp structure.
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What is the point of unloading before the turnaround station?
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I think there’s a few reasons. Less wear on the bull wheel, a simpler design, no need for a slowing mechanism, and space and terrain constraints.
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But wouldn’t the bull wheel have the same amount of stress on it no matter how close of far people are unloading?
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Because it would weigh the bull wheel down more if they got off on it, therefore applying more stress to it.
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If the riders are unloading when the chair is on the bullwheel, the ramp is built wrong. Also, the additional weight from a person in the chair is negligible compared to the load from the tensioned haul rope, so that’s not really a factor.
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Many older lifts did it this way. In the case of top-tension lifts like this, the unload point that we’re used to on modern lifts would fluctuate over time, and when you have a manmade ramp structure that doesn’t work too well. Old chairs 4 and 5 at Baker, to use an example, had both scenarios. 4 had a top tension setup and you unloaded at the last tower. 5 had a fixed return and you unloaded at the bullwheel. Both lift shared the same ramp structure.
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Interesting. Thanks for the response.
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Why’s this a bottom drive if the lift right next to it is a top?
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