Wire rope splices: Ski Cooper, A-Basin

[BushMogulMaster]

I know some of you may find these pix interesting. They are from the two haul rope splices I had the opportunity to work on. Ski Cooper last Friday, and A-Basin's new Montezuma Bowl Quad on Saturday.

It's truly a fascinating process to watch, and to be involved in. Justin Knight of Knight Engineering did the splice. He is a third generation splicer. His late grandfather started the business, his father, RJ, is still running the business, and he and his brother Jason are both splicing all across the country. Very knowledgeable guy.

Enjoy!

Ski Cooper triple chair splice:

 

[BushMogulMaster]

A-Basin Montezuma Quad splice:

 

[BushMogulMaster]

Edit: had another pic, but I'm having issues uploading. Maybe I'll get it on here tomorrow.

 

[sledhaulingmedic]

Nice pix. It's a very interesting process. A lot more involved than I ever realized (until I saw it done.)

 

[shwilly]

Cool. Could you give some background for those of us who don't know anything about operations? Why would you splice a haul rope? Was the entire rope replaced?

 

[bvibert]

Cool. Could you give some background for those of us who don't know anything about operations? Why would you splice a haul rope? Was the entire rope replaced?

The splice is where the two ends of the haul rope are attached together. To my knowledge it's only done when replacing the haul rope, you wouldn't splice in a section for any reason.

I've always wanted to see how it was done myself.

Is that you with the Sugarbush vest on BMM?

 

[kbroderick]

The splice is where the two ends of the haul rope are attached together. To my knowledge it's only done when replacing the haul rope, you wouldn't splice in a section for any reason.

I've always wanted to see how it was done myself.

Is that you with the Sugarbush vest on BMM?

It's also done when the haul rope needs to be shortened. My understanding is that the haul rope will stretch over time and potentially exceed the adjustability in the lift's tensioning devices, so it's important to test it (and shorten, if necessary) over the summer.

 

[bvibert]

It's also done when the haul rope needs to be shortened. My understanding is that the haul rope will stretch over time and potentially exceed the adjustability in the lift's tensioning devices, so it's important to test it (and shorten, if necessary) over the summer.

Good point, I didn't think of that.

 

[Marc]

Woah... nice pictures... thanks BMM. I've always wanted to see that done. Apparently it involves much fewer big tools than I thought it would. Looks like it's mostly hand tools and man power. Very cool.

 

[Marc]

BMM... what is the core of the wire rope made from... it looks to be a lighter color alloy than the sheathing? And what alloy is the sheathing made from typically such that it doesn't rust? Is it galvanized? Stainless would be expensive as all hell I'd think...

 

[ski_resort_observer]

Thanks for sharing PC.......I can relate as I spiced two speaker wires on my stereo last week.....:wink: :lol:

Love seeing the old SB vest in CO

 

[bvibert]

BMM... what is the core of the wire rope made from... it looks to be a lighter color alloy than the sheathing? And what alloy is the sheathing made from typically such that it doesn't rust? Is it galvanized? Stainless would be expensive as all hell I'd think...

It's my understanding that the rope core is some sort of oil impregnated fiber rope. Not sure if that's the case for all lifts or just the ones I've heard about.

 

[trtaylor]

BMM... what is the core of the wire rope made from... it looks to be a lighter color alloy than the sheathing? And what alloy is the sheathing made from typically such that it doesn't rust? Is it galvanized? Stainless would be expensive as all hell I'd think...

Some links;

Mad River Lifts
Teufelberger wire rope
On this page select 'Ropeway' then 'Monocable Ropeway' as the application.

 

[BushMogulMaster]

I'm in class all day, so I'll answer more questions later, and give you the brief run-down of the entire process.

I've chosen one lucky question to answer right now!

BMM... what is the core of the wire rope made from... it looks to be a lighter color alloy than the sheathing? And what alloy is the sheathing made from typically such that it doesn't rust? Is it galvanized? Stainless would be expensive as all hell I'd think...

The older cores were made of hemp rope to soak up lubricating oil. Some smaller wire rope cores (like the Cooper one) are made of poly fibers, and are just essentially ropes. Larger wire rope cores (like the A-Basin one) are made of a polypropolene-type substance, very much like the ptex you use on the bases of your skis.

The sole purpose of the core is to provide support for the 6 strands around it. It does not provide tension support.

More on this later.

 

[Marc]

I'm in class all day, so I'll answer more questions later, and give you the brief run-down of the entire process.

I've chosen one lucky question to answer right now!



The older cores were made of hemp rope to soak up lubricating oil. Some smaller wire rope cores (like the Cooper one) are made of poly fibers, and are just essentially ropes. Larger wire rope cores (like the A-Basin one) are made of a polypropolene-type substance, very much like the ptex you use on the bases of your skis.

The sole purpose of the core is to provide support for the 6 strands around it. It does not provide tension support.

More on this later.

Your probably thinking of polyethylene, not polypropylene... and more specifically, high molecular weight polyethylene, which is what Spectra twine is made from (used for flying multi-line kites).

Well, it very well could be polypropylene, I suppose, which would be much cheaper than UHMWPE, but then it wouldn't be anything like your ski bases.

It would make sense they'd use UHMWPE, however, as it is, more or less, 'self lubricating.'

 

[koreshot]

Your probably thinking of polyethylene, not polypropylene... and more specifically, high molecular weight polyethylene, which is what Spectra twine is made from (used for flying multi-line kites).

Well, it very well could be polypropylene, I suppose, which would be much cheaper than UHMWPE, but then it wouldn't be anything like your ski bases.

It would make sense they'd use UHMWPE, however, as it is, more or less, 'self lubricating.'

Hey Mr. Brains, a simple "Cool, thanks for the pictures." would have been enough.

So i'll dumb the thread back down and ask, how much weight can a cable like that take?

 

[bvibert]

Is there a different splice and/or tuck technique used on haul ropes for detachable systems? The reason I ask is because where I work (with all FG chairs) we're told to make sure none of the grips move (the grips move back slightly when they go around the bullwheel and can move quite a bit over the course of a season) onto any of the tucks because it could damage the tuck. With a detachable it seems there would be no way to make sure the grip didn't re-attach onto the haul rope where a tuck was.

 

[BushMogulMaster]

Your probably thinking of polyethylene, not polypropylene... and more specifically, high molecular weight polyethylene, which is what Spectra twine is made from (used for flying multi-line kites).

Well, it very well could be polypropylene, I suppose, which would be much cheaper than UHMWPE, but then it wouldn't be anything like your ski bases.

It would make sense they'd use UHMWPE, however, as it is, more or less, 'self lubricating.'

Yes... please excuse my error. Polyethylene is what I meant to say. (I had just been talking to someone about polypropylene vs. cotton for cold weather clothing :lol: )

 

[BushMogulMaster]

Hey Mr. Brains, a simple "Cool, thanks for the pictures." would have been enough.

So i'll dumb the thread back down and ask, how much weight can a cable like that take?

Lots. Common tensioning is generally over 15000lbs, + carriers, + full load, etc.

 

[Marc]

Yes... please excuse my error. Polyethylene is what I meant to say. (I had just been talking to someone about polypropylene vs. cotton for cold weather clothing :lol: )

Not a problem. I had a feeling that's what they'd use. It makes sense. I guess it's sold as both Spectra and Dyneema in stranded form.


Incidentally, it's technically the same base molecule that makes up what milk jugs are made from (HDPE).

So just remember, you're trusting your life to a milk jug rope....

:dunce: