CASPER, Wyoming – The city of Casper, Wyoming, will spend $41,551.31 to get one rare part for Hogadon Basin Ski Area’s Prospector Chair lift.
Oil City News reports that Hogadon Basin Ski Area, owned and operated by the city, ended their season a week earlier than planned this past April as their major chairlift faced mechanical problems that could not be completed before the end of the season. The chairlift, made by Riblet Tramway Co., suffered a broken bull wheel. That part will be fixed by local workers in Casper.
However, the lift’s cone drive, a separate part from what was initially broken, will need to be replaced to ensure safety and reliable function headed into the 2024/25 ski season. Unfortunately, Riblet Tramway Co. used a worm gear cone drive made by Ex-Cell-O for the original lift, and both Riblet Tramway Co. and Ex-Cell-O went out of business between 2000 and 2010.
Timken Manufacturing, which purchased the molds from Ex-Cell-O, is now the only company that makes the worm gear cone drive. It will likely take Timken 12 weeks to deliver the cone drive for replacement. Meanwhile, in November, town voters will decide whether or not to approve a project fully replacing the Hogadon Basin chair lift.