Fixed Grip Quad to HSQ

[tcharron]

Where did you see a cable splicing? There is a very short video of the splicing of Loon's Tote Road in the archives at Loonmtn.com. Scroll down the "video snack" window to find it:

http://www.loonmtn.com/info/winter/video.asp

Full 7 minutes of an entire rope splice.

 

[BushMogulMaster]

If spacing on HSQ is double that of a fixed grip then the speed has to double to get the same number of people up the mountain ignoring load and unloading times. So the number of people on the slopes is the same for this condition. Only benefit is the ride time is shorter.

I was pointing out that spacing is not double that of a fixed grip in most cases. And capacity is all over the place. We just look at averages (2400pph on quad). You can't ignore loading interval. Period. It's not as simple as, "well hey... we're replacing a FG Quad with a Detachable Quad. Let's just double the chair spacing and speed!!!" You can get the same capacity with a higher speed and more than double chair spacing, or with less speed and closer than double chair spacing. It's all about math.

For example:

AlpineZone Mountain Resort is replacing it's 25 year old Yan fixed quad with a new Poma Detachable quad. They want to keep the capacity and loading interval exactly the way it was with the old lift.

Sample old lift metrics:

Capacity: 2215pph
Rope Speed: 450fpm
Chair Spacing: ~48.75 feet
Loading Interval: 6.5 seconds

New lift equations:

T = (60 * S) / R
C = (60 * P * R) / S

New lift metrics:

Capacity: 2215pph
Rope Speed: 1150fpm
Chair Spacing: ~124.48 feet
Loading Interval: 6.5 seconds

Because of rounding, the new capacity is actually 2217pph, but the equation, assuming no rounding, works out perfectly. There is no need for line speed and spacing to double in order to maintain capacity. In fact, it is often better NOT to simply double the numbers. If we did that, we'd have a lift capable of turning at 1150fpm or more, only running 900fpm. So that isn't maximizing the equipment's ability to maintain capacity while decreasing ride time.