For an outdoor inclined lift, each day is filled with uphill and downhill battles. After all, it spends its life outdoors. That’s why you need an inclined elevator designed to handle your terrain. Here are just a few of the types of turf an inclined lift can face.
Cliffs
Tides, winds and rain slowly eat away at cliffs. A skilled engineer will know how to overcome the obstacle of a crumbling foundation. Even when the rocks are crumbling sandstone, there’s often a stronger core to the cliff. Engineers at Hill Hiker® often dig until they get something solid. Then they hammer drill and mount to the solid rock or the inclined lift’s concrete pads. Whatever the conditions of the cliff, our team will customize your lift to withstand the elements. Here’s one of the tricky cliff projects we’ve faced during the years and a little bit about how we came out on top.
Beaches
A lifetime at the beach might sound good to us, but for an inclined elevator, it’s tough. Shifting sands, high tides and sea salt are some of the toughest elements for machines. Luckily crafty engineers find ways to overcome these conditions.
The shifting sand makes for an unstable foundation. A diligent engineer will carefully assess the conditions and make a solution tailored to the terrain. Usually this involves digging deeper. Underneath all the sand, there is a hard surface. In some cases, the engineer will use helical screws as an alternative.
Helical screws and deep foundations may solve the loose soil issue, but what about the blowing sand? It’s critical beach lifts have NEMA certified electronic enclosures and junction boxes. This will not only fight off debris, but salt water coming from higher tides.
To stem the effects of higher tides and the corrosive sea salt it flings at beach lifts, you’ll need your system to have water tight wires, switches, push buttons and components. The structure should also be made from stainless steel or outdoor rated components.
Though these are just some of the approaches Hill HIker® will take when it comes to beach house lifts, each situation calls for a unique approach. That’s why we custom build our inclined lifts.
Shorelines
Inclined elevator lifts for river and lake shorelines face some of the same challenges as beach lifts, with one major addition: trees and vegetation. The slope leading down to the water has a fragile ecosystem filled with plants and trees. Without this vegetation, the slope will erode. This is why each Hill Hiker® inclined lift, has a minimal impact on the environment, helping your shoreline stay strong and the environment healthy.
Shifting Banks
Even a healthy shoreline will shift over time, which is why our lifts prepare for these changes with self-leveling systems that adjust to angle changes. We also have different foundation installation options to match unique challenges.
With a Hill Hiker® inclined elevator, you have a system designed to fit your terrain. Check out a few of our past projects to see how we made unique solutions for our many satisfied customers. Or, contact us here.
