Top 10 FAQs about Magic Carpet® Lifts
- 1. How does a Magic Carpet® lift stack up price-wise?
- 2. Why a Magic Carpet® lift vs. traditional surface lifts?
- 3. Does a Magic Carpet® lift require a foundation?
- 4. How long does it take to install?
- 5. What is Magic Carpet’s commitment to safety?
- 6. What about snow and ice buildup and high winds?
- 7. How long can the conveyors be and what is the capacity?
- 8. What kind of maintenance schedule am I looking at?
- 9. How fast can you get parts?
- 10. How can you prove that Magic Carpet® will take good care of us after the purchase?
- 11. What is your required support spacing?
- 12. What is the anticipated load at each support? An overall kit deadweight plus max people on the conveyor (non-socially distanced) would suffice for most to estimate the foundation design and construction cost.
- 13. What does a typical support connection look like? Does it get anchored at all support locations or do intermediate supports slide/guide with anchoring at the ends?
- 14. Does it include hand railings along the run?
- 15. How do we keep snow to collect beneath the conveyor? How high above grade do you generally recommend these be installed?
- 16. Have you ever had any of your clients install a cover over the conveyor? From what I read online a permanent cover really lowers maintenance costs and improves reliability. What’s your experience in this space?
1. How does a Magic Carpet® lift stack up price-wise?
The initial investment is often 2-3 times that of a handle or rope tow, yet significantly less than a chairlift for short travel distances. Our Boardwalk® lifts are competitively priced to other belt conveyor systems on the market; however, there are a number of other considerations to take into account beyond the sales price. Overall design, rugged component selection, and after-sale support are just a few of the benefits that set Boardwalk® and Magic Carpet Lifts ahead of the competition.
2. Why a Magic Carpet® Boardwalk® lift vs. traditional surface lifts?
First, a Magic Carpet® Boardwalk® lift can convey three to four times the number of people per hour compared to alternate surface lifts, translating into more productivity and increased rider throughput. Second, it offers a way to better utilize the terrain, with an exit off both sides at the top. Third, we recognize that “down time” is unacceptable, and the high level of reliability of the system keeps maintenance to a minimum. Fourth, this user-friendly alternative keeps beginner riders happy and less intimidated; it also shortens the learning curve, reportedly as much as 40%. This translates to repeat business, and in a much shorter time, new skiers are able to graduate to a chairlift. Finally, instructors and lift operators prefer a Magic Carpet® lift because it’s easy for even small children to ride, minimizing the need for assistance up the hill.
3. Does a Boardwalk® lift require a foundation?
No. Today’s design does not require a permanent foundation. It accommodates virtually any terrain, making it easy to install with minimal ground preparation. Support legs adjust in height to allow for anticipated snow depth at the time of installation. This offers stability throughout the season and eliminates any problems inherent in systems that lay on top of the snow. The modular design and off-season portability have enhanced its versatility. The length of the conveyor lift systems can be easily modified.
4. How long does it take to install?
Depending on the length of the Boardwalk® conveyor lift system and the size of the crew, it usually takes a few days to install a Boardwalk® lift. Several areas have completed the installation of a 250′ conveyor lift in a single day. Areas are responsible for field wiring (AC power) to the lift. Pin and sleeve connections facilitate the electrical hook-up. We ship the major components pre-assembled which allows for organization and easy installation in the field.
5. What is Magic Carpet’s commitment to safety?
Initially, in the absence of any governing codes for conveyor lifts, Magic Carpet Lifts/RMCE, Inc. designed systems to ANSI B11.19 pertaining to safeguarding machinery. We currently meet or exceed the manufacturer’s safety requirements under ANSI B77, Section 7 (USA) and CSA Z98-01, Clause 9 ( Canada ), which is also being adopted by most states and provinces across North America. All drive mechanisms are fully enclosed and secured from riders.
6. What about snow and ice buildup and high winds?
Boardwalk® lifts feature a separately powered bristle brush to clean the belt on the return run (underneath) during operation of the lift. Additionally, the new proprietary “MAGIC GRIP” belting is designed to shed the snow when it stretches around the drive drum of the conveyor. Other methods of “point heat” (i.e. infrared or forced air) heating are another effective method to further minimize snow and ice buildup at the discharge end. Clearing overnight snowfall before daily start-up is important for successful operation of the conveyor lift. A tarp is recommended to cover the Boardwalk® conveyor while not in operation, both overnight and off-season.
The edge guide system, which keeps the belt aligned also prevents the wind from potentially lifting the belt from the plastic slider surface. As with other lifts, the conveyor may need to be temporarily shut down during extreme climatic conditions.
7. How long can the conveyors be and what is the capacity?
The conveyor lift can be built to any length, in 3 meter/10 foot increments, with a single drive system at the discharge end. Rider tolerance to stand on the moving belt, available terrain, and the specific application primarily dictate what the maximum length can be. A typical rated capacity is 1,500 people per hour, but it can be as high as 4,500 people per hour (pph).
8. What kind of maintenance schedule am I looking at?
Aside from initial adjustments and daily housekeeping tasks, mechanical maintenance is very minimal. After initial service, lubrication intervals for bearings and gear reducers is recommended on an annual basis.
On a weekly basis, pulleys should be checked for any movement, re-adjust and tighten as necessary; the gearbox should be checked for any movement, re-tighten bolts as necessary, also check seals around the shafts for any signs of leakage; return rollers should be examined of any unusual condition; lift structure should be checked for mechanical tightness of all fasteners, including legs to ground anchorages; relief plate, actuation arm, and limit switch should be checked for tightness, and the relief plate bushings should be sprayed with WD40, and lastly the brush bristles should be verified that it is running against the belt.
9. How fast can you get parts?
Should spare parts be necessary, Magic Carpet® uses standard industry components which are most readily available, often on an overnight basis. The belting life is estimated at 15-18 years before requiring replacement.
10. How can you prove that Magic Carpet® will take good care of us after the purchase?
Our track record and references, spanning North America and worldwide, offer powerful proof. We are committed to customer satisfaction and encourage all potential clients to speak with our customers for their feedback. Also visit our Testimonial page and read the awesome reviews from our customers. Winter Users are listed on our web site and supplementary information is available from our Denver sales office.
11. What is your required support spacing?
Each intermediate section is supported by (2) support legs, roughly ten feet apart (119”).
12. What is the anticipated load at each support? An overall kit deadweight plus max people on the conveyor (non-socially distanced) would suffice for most to estimate the foundation design and construction cost.
We design for 170 lbs. per square foot.
13. What does a typical support connection look like? Does it get anchored at all support locations or do intermediate supports slide/guide with anchoring at the ends?
Since we do not know specific soil conditions, this would need to be answered by your construction engineer. We can send you a few photos that may help understand the field connections.
14. Does it include hand railings along the run?
Handrails are not included in the conveyor bid. We can supply handrails as an option. Handrails are needed if there is a drop off, and snow is not groomed to the side walkways.
15. How do we keep snow to collect beneath the conveyor? How high above grade do you generally recommend these be installed?
Skirting is recommended (if not required) to prevent unwanted entry along the side of the conveyor. This also is an aid to “crowd” snow against the conveyor while during grooming.
16. Have you ever had any of your clients install a cover over the conveyor? From what I read online a permanent cover really lowers maintenance costs and improves reliability. What’s your experience in this space?
Covers of various types offer a variety of protection. A simple covering of the belt eliminates the need to remove overnight snow. This also protects your investment and keeps dirt from migrating in the system during the off-season. A more deluxe way to go is to install one of our canopies over the length of the conveyor. This typically is ~110% the cost of a stand-alone Magic Carpet.
