Ski lifts turn primarily through the use of large wheels located at each end of the lift line. These wheels guide the main cable around to change its direction, allowing the chairs to travel up and down the slope continuously.
The Mechanism of a Ski Lift Turn
The turning process in a ski lift relies on a simple but effective mechanical system at the top and bottom terminals.
Key Components Involved in Turning
According to the provided reference, the turning action happens around large discs called bull wheels positioned at the top and bottom of the lift line.
- Powered Bull Wheel: One of these bull wheels, typically located at the base or occasionally at the top, is powered. This powered wheel is the driving force that pulls the cable along as it turns.
- Return Bull Wheel: The other bull wheel, at the opposite end of the lift, is known as the return wheel. This wheel serves to guide the cable and sends the car back the other way, completing the loop.
Essentially, the bull wheels act like large pulleys, changing the direction of the cable and facilitating its continuous movement along the lift path. The powered wheel provides the necessary force to overcome gravity and friction, moving the attached chairs and their passengers.
This system ensures the smooth and continuous flow of chairs, allowing skiers and snowboarders to be transported efficiently up the mountain before returning back down the opposite side of the loop.
