I have visited several areas this past summer and fall. I made it a point to ask about some of the simple inspections that should be made daily. My findings were that less than ten percent of the areas had such a program. At one area I ask the Chief of Maintence, “When was the auxiliary engine started?” This was two weeks into operations this season, and they had not been started or checked at all. His reasoning was simple: “We have never had to use them.” This kind of thinking is not very healthy!
I also found very few maintencemen who ride the lifts daily to check tower machinery. This ride, at least once a day, enables him to spot any trouble coming and give ample time to avert a breakdown during operation. However, I have talked to several operators who have had a great deal of success with the daily ride.
If snow has been made close to lifts the night before, check the cable to be sure that there is no ice build-up. This can cause a lot of trouble and damage if it is not removed before starting the lift. Ice or snow on a bull wheel, where brake or anti-rollback are located, should be cleaned throughly before start-up.
I have a piece of wire rope in for testing; we have the exact running time kept daily on this piece. However I don’t feel that any reasonable judgment can be arrived at with only one sample. I would like to obtain a few more samples. (Area names will be kept confidential.)
I have received two T-bar cables. One broke while running, and the other had so many broken wires in one lay that I don’t see how it ever stayed in one piece. In both pieces the wire rope inspectors should have recommended replacement, if indeed he found the breaks. I was told that a cable inspector spent less than two hours checking a wire rope that was over six thousand feet long.
If areas are going to pay for inspections they should insist on getting what they pay for! If the wire rope has as much as four thousand hours running time on it, the inspector should open the rope at several places to check the interior for core wear, lubrication and wire nicking. Schedule your inspections early so there is time to do any repairs or replacements in good weather, should they be necessary.
I am very happy to see that several areas have installed hour meters. have you? They will work to your advantage.
