METHOD OF MECHANISED SNOW CLEARANCE AND CAVING OF SNOW CORNICES IN MOUNTAIN SKI FACILITIES Russian patent published in 2016 - IPC E01H5/00 

FIELD: agriculture.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to the field of avalanche control events, namely to methods of snow clearance and caving of snow cornices in the mountain ski facilities in order to ensure safety of recreational activities. Caving of snow cornices is carried out after each prolonged snowfall. To do this, a backacting excavator on rubber tracks is used. Prior to placement of snow along the area adjacent to the ridge, the technological road is made, having the width corresponding to twice the width of the passage of the tracks of the used excavator. Along the side of the road on the leeward side throughout its length the anchors for "anchoring" of the excavator are set firmly mounted into the rocky ground. After the placement of snow cover along the side of the road, adjacent to the area of the caving line of the cornice, the signal poles are placed, indicating the position of the cantilever portion of the snow cornice relative to the technological road. For caving the snow cornice the excavator is mounted transversely to the direction of the snow cornice, and it is attach to the anchors with the help of a safety winch. Then the excavator backhoe is turned in the direction of the snow cornice and, directing it between the signal poles, its cantilever portion is mechanically cut. Simultaneously the preventive snow clearance in the area close to the ridge is carried out, adjacent to the leeward side to the edge of the technological road.

EFFECT: improved safety and efficiency of avalanche control events due to mechanisation of the process of snow clearance in the slope area close to the ridge, and also cutting and caving the snow cornice.

4 cl, 2 dwg