What do a Wisconsin golf course, a Maryland outdoor education center and a Panamanian research institute have in common? They all have a Hill Hiker® Hillside Lift System. Though it would take you 95 hours to drive the 5,139 miles between these hillside lift systems, you can see these funicular’s unique characteristics without leaving your seat.
The Panamanian Hillside Lift System
The Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) needed a new lift system. Located on Barro Colorado Island in the middle of the Panama Canal, the pathway to and from the STRI isn’t an easy trek. Hill Hiker® made the journey easier, installing a hillside lift system that went straight down the hillside. The previous system took a less direct route.
To safely travel a straight path up the jungle slope, the hillside lift system needed to be solid and elevated. The materials for the project weighed 24,950 pounds. Hill Hiker® also built the hillside lift system 16 feet high, with its car riding on top of a 290 foot stainless steel track fastened to a concrete base.
The Maryland Lift System
Before we installed the system, the Echo Outdoor Education Center had nothing but steps scaling the steep bank of the Severn River. The steps made it difficult for disabled pupils to experience classes held on the river banks, and prior to installation, teachers had to carry students up and down the slope.
Hill Hiker installed a 70 feet, 30 degree inclined lift, allowing disabled students to easily travel up and down hill. To ensure the safety of the students, we installed a number of features, including a mechanical electrical safety interlock and a captured rail design.
A Lift for Golf
Situated on the scenic St. Croix River valley, the Clifton Highlands Golf Club is an excellent stop for golfers. The nine hole course offers beautiful sights and is well known in the world of golf.
One of the disadvantages to the picturesque slopes is climbing them. Our system fixed that problem. To carry golfers up and down the hill quickly, we designed the hillside lift system to carry loads up to 1,500 pounds, allowing golfers and their clubs to get where they’re going in one trip.
We hope you enjoyed learning about these hillside lift systems. We had a lot of fun making them! If you would like to see more of our projects, check out our portfolio.
