Model: 4-Person (750-pound capacity)
Track: 346' long with 3-pitches of 220’ at 27°, 63’ at 32°, and 60’at 36°, and climbing over 168’ vertically and running over 295’ horizontally
Area: Drag Lake, Haliburton
Year: 2018-2019
“We are beyond thrilled with our lift. It has completely changed the dynamics of or cottage retreat for the better. John and his crew were on time and budget and a thoroughly professional crew. Lastly I cannot emphasize the value in terms of cost to build. I observed closely the time and materials spent and was blown away. Apparently we have the longest and most complicated to date, it works in amazing fashion. In terms of footprint and aesthetics it is small and invisible. For those facing township or county bylaws Inclined was instrumental in moving past those hurdles. We invite any potential client to call or even visit for a ride. ”
We started this lift about 3 years ago, working with the owner, Rodco Construction, and the local municipality to get a minor variance.
Without the lift, getting to the water involved a scary 15 minute drive in a 4 x 4 vehicle on a steep, rough track. Now, you step on the lift from the corner of the main deck, and after an idyllic 4 minute ride over the terrain, never touching the ground on a lift that has minimal physical impact on the vegetation and wildlife, taking in a great view of the hillside and the lake, you get off near lake level.
This was our longest lift to date, and our first 3-pitch lift! We decided on 3-pitches to keep the track low to the ground and less visible from the water. The design is really no different from our 2-pitch lifts, we just need to include a second curved section of track.
Some of the neighbours told us that they had gone out on the water specifically to look for the lift and they could not see it.
To set the track line the owner and I went for a boat ride and I took a compass reading of the line connecting the cottage to the dock they wanted to reach. Then I followed that compass line from the cottage down the hill, running this string line behind me and pulling a tape measure, to come out exactly at the dock.
We were really fortunate, the line turned out to a great track line and only a few small trees needed falling.
The top section of track was set with the finished access platform, shown below, and the landing 330’ away already designed.
Once after we had 80’ of track in we were able to mount the winch assembly and installation hoist.
Here we're using the Installation Hoist to bring a 20' section of track down the 1st pitch and over the 1st curve on its way to the 2nd curve for installation on the lower pitch. We minimize wear and tear on ourselves and the environment by using the lift we’ve already built to build the lift we’re still building.
Another view of the Installation Hoist carrying a 20’ section of track to the third pitch. Above the Hoist there are the 220’ of track leading to the cottage which is just visible in the background.
With last piece of track in we keep using the installation hoist to get ourselves and materials up and down the hill.
The upper station sits off one corner of the existing deck and the new platform, railings, and self-closing self-latching gate are beautifully integrated into the existing structures. The intercept of the track with the deck was chosen to minimize the need to cut down trees and to center the new platform and rails on the existing railings. The station gate is interlocked with the lift for safety. Ronnie Hunt and his crew did a beautiful job building the new deck.
Looking down the track, the car misses trees on each side by less than 12”. Minimizing the need to remove trees is always one of our design goals.
It’s 168 vertical feet, 300 horizontal feet, and 240 scenic seconds to the cottage from here.
The lower button box post is welded directly to the track to minimize the impact of the lower station on the environment. We needed a new kind of interlocked gate because users can’t see the lower station from the upper station. To prevent someone at the top moving the lift when it’s being boarded at the bottom, we designed a self closing gate attached to the button box post. If the gate is open the car won’t move.
The PARK button moves the car about 20’ up the track and deactivates the lift, it’s out of harms way and safe from unauthorized use.
The lift has a tiny footprint.