Accumar Cable Lifts and Track Lifts

Accumar Cable Lifts and Track Lifts… often referred to as trams, funiculars, hillside elevators, gondolas, waterfront elevators, incline elevators, hillavators, hillside hikers, cable trams, and outdoor elevators… are made to traverse steep hillsides, often at high bank waterfront homes. They can provide home and beach access, cargo hauling, and handicapped access, in one conveyance.

These trams are individually made to match the architecture and aesthetics of the property. Accumar funiculars can be finished traditionally with beautiful woodwork, or very contemporary with metal or clear panels. Accumar encourages input on the appearance and design finish. Powder coated finishes (an oven baked-on color coat) from a quality custom finishing shop is often used over the aluminum gondola frame and components to provide a high quality of finish. Or, the aluminum can be left natural with a grained or polished finish. There is no steel in an Accumar gondola…the frame is welded aluminum, and fittings are stainless steel. Some are fully enclosed with roof, windows, and doors. Seating is always provided, with plenty of hand rails.

Cable Lifts are almost invisible and are very quiet. The two support cables, typically 5/8" diameter, visually disappear from view a short distance away, unlike staircases and tracks that can be seen for miles. The gondolas are electric, and are whisper quiet as they slip along their cables. Cable Lifts have extremely low visual impact to neighborhood views and recreation areas. And, Accumar uses no hydraulics…that means no hydraulic oil messes!

A new Track Lift design from Accumar is the Hill Hugger. This Track Lift is distinctive in that it does not require a "pit," or hole, for the carriage at the bottom. A high raised landing is not required, either. The car rides down the track without the typical "wedge shaped" carriage under the floor, allowing the car to land almost level with the ground. The "pit" on most trams is aptly named, as it can be a nuisance to build railings around, or incorporate into the surroundings. The alternative, a high platform, can mean steps down to grade. The Hill Hugger solves this problem…no pit and no high landings.

Accumar Cable Lifts

Traditional Accumar Cable Lifts have been arranged to fit into so many different steep slope situations that we could not begin to name then all. The biggest advantage of the Cable Lift is its ability to span a great length without having to build any supports on the slope itself. Cable Lifts are generally less expensive than track systems because they usually do not need to include any construction on, or alterations to, the slope. They have very little environmental impact when compared to trails, steps, and track systems.

The Low Profile Tram deck and all of the rigging and mechanical components are kept below the railing height on the deck. This keeps the appearance low and uncluttered.

The gondola rides on two large galvanized cables that are anchored at the top and bottom. Two other galvanized aircraft cables (from the winding drum hoist) drive the gondola up and down.

Controls for starting and stopping are in the car and on the entry decks. They are key controlled. Only low-voltage is present at the controls. The car starts and stops with smooth, gradual acceleration. The ride is whisper-quiet.

Specifications for Traditional and Low Profile Cable Lifts

• Capacity: 600 to 700 pounds rated load is standard, with higher capacities available on request
• Speed: 50 to 75 feet per minute

Gondola and Car size: 15 square feet of interior space is standard, with larger sizes available on request

• Cables (cables the gondola rides on): 5/8" galvanized steel (two)
• Cables (hoist/suspension): 1/4" galvanized aircraft cables (two)
• Motor and Power required: 3 or 5 HP is standard, depending on need; 240 V electrical service is brought from the house electrical panel or other service panel to the hoist location
• Gear reducer: hardened alloy worm with bronze gear European/ISO certified
• Anchors: concrete, Chance Helical screw anchors, buried steel deadman anchors, or drilling & grouted 'micropiles' (per design)
• Outdoor hardware: Hot-dip galvanized steel, stainless, or aluminum, with galvanized and stainless steel fasteners.
• Gondola construction: welded aluminum frame.
• Gondola finish materials: cedar, translucent polycarbonate, stainless steel, aluminum or any other suitable material
• Color options: Aluminum can be power coated to wide variety of colors and textures (or left its natural silver color)
• Canopy: (optional) can be covered with clear unbreakable polycarbonate, stainless steel, aluminum or any other suitable material.
• Gondola and car doors: UP-DOWN key operated switches and STOP buttons are located at each landing and in the car. Coded key-pads in lieu of key controls are optional.
• Variable acceleration: Smooth starts and stops
• Controls: Certified (Listed) panel
• Deck Gates: Automatically lock when gondola leaves the deck (stops operation when gate is open)
• Automatic speed governor: brakes the gondola if it goes down the slope too fast.
• Slack Rope Safety: Automatically shuts off the hoist if the hoist cables go slack

Accumar Track Lifts

Accumar Track Lifts are a good choice where the bank is firm and the run is reasonably short. They do not need as large of an upper entry deck as Cable lifts require. They remain level throughout the trip. Track Lifts fit certain kinds of spaxces best, such as tight city lots. They can be used for wheelchair access, frieght, and for general passanger runs. With a canopy and full height sliding door they are comfortable in inclement weather, and can be partially or fully enclosed.

Accumar's new Hill Hugger design eliminates the "Pit" or raised landing usually found at the bottom of the run on track type systems.

Typical Track Lift Specifications

• Capacity: 600 to 700 pounds rated load is standard, with larger capacities available on request.
• Speed: 50 to 75 feet per minute
• Car size: 15 square feet of interior space is standard, with larger sizes available on request.
• Track spacing: 36" is standard, with alternate spacing available as required
• Suspension/hoist cables: (two) 1/4" gavanized aircraft cables
• Motor and Power required: 3 or 5 HP is standard, depending on need; 240 V electrical service is brought from the house electrical panel or other service panel to the hoist location
• Gear reducer: Hardened alloy worm with bronze gear; European/ISO certified
• Tracks: Hot-dip galvanized channel
• Outdoor Metalwork: All hot-dip galvanized steel, stainless steel, or aluminum, with galvanized and stainless steel fasteners.
• Car construction: Welded aluminum frame finished with cedar, translucent polycarbonate, stainless steel, or any other suitable material.
• Door: Sliding, with safety shut off switch (for open condition)
• Car & landing deck controls: "UP-DOWN" key switch and "STOP" button.
• Variable acceleration: Smooth starts and stops
• Deck Gates:Automatically interlocks lock gate when the car leaves the deck
• Automatic speed governor: Brakes the car if it goes down the slope too fast.
• Slack Rope Safety: Shuts off the hoist if the hoist cables go slack
• Bumpers: Located on the uphill and downhill ends of the car (stops the tram if it hits anyone or anything)

Options: Canopy, baked-on color coats over metal components, various finishes on woodwork, seat cushions, canvas covers, windows, fully enclosed cars, keypad controls in lieu of keys, double doors, and architectural details to suite site.