Hurricane (ride)
Encyclopedia
The Hurricane is an amusement ride first manufactured by Frank Hrubrtz & Co. The Hurricane was first created in 1972, and is directly based on the older Saturn 6 ride, which first operated in 1948. Frank Hrubrtz & Co was the sole distributor of the ride until 1992, when construction was taken over by Dartron Industries. Hurricanes have been licensed for production in countries other than the United States, although the number of non-U.S. constructed rides is limited.
The Hurricane is nowadays almost exclusively a traveling ride; few if any examples are present in amusement parks as standing attractions. However, several parks have operated the ride in the past.
The ride starts off at a slow spin, propelling the sweeps upward due to both centrifugal force
and a pneumatic
cylinder housed in the center shaft. The speed is increased until the cars are almost in line with the top of the tower. The operator will then begin to ("bounce"or"pop") the sweeps by releasing the compressed air contained in the cylinder, resulting in the sweeps dropping with a loud burst of bleeding compressed air until both centrifugal force and pneumatic pressure restores the sweeps to their height. This is repeated multiple times, before the ride begins to slow down.
The ride racks onto a single 48 feet (14.6 m) trailer, and can be assembled by two people in just over two hours.
The Hurricane is nowadays almost exclusively a traveling ride; few if any examples are present in amusement parks as standing attractions. However, several parks have operated the ride in the past.
Design and Operation
Six 35 feet (10.7 m) sweeps (arms) are attached to a 40 feet (12.2 m) center tower. At the base of each sweep is a car carrying four people, in pairs sitting side-by-side. Riders are restrained by a locking lap bar, with no dividers in between the side-by-side riders. Most operators of the Hurricane require riders to be 42 inches (1.1 m) tall or more, with smaller riders usually required to be seated on the inner seat of the cars due to the strong centrifugal force of the device.The ride starts off at a slow spin, propelling the sweeps upward due to both centrifugal force
Centrifugal force
Centrifugal force can generally be any force directed outward relative to some origin. More particularly, in classical mechanics, the centrifugal force is an outward force which arises when describing the motion of objects in a rotating reference frame...
and a pneumatic
Pneumatics
Pneumatics is a branch of technology, which deals with the study and application of use of pressurized gas to effect mechanical motion.Pneumatic systems are extensively used in industry, where factories are commonly plumbed with compressed air or compressed inert gases...
cylinder housed in the center shaft. The speed is increased until the cars are almost in line with the top of the tower. The operator will then begin to ("bounce"or"pop") the sweeps by releasing the compressed air contained in the cylinder, resulting in the sweeps dropping with a loud burst of bleeding compressed air until both centrifugal force and pneumatic pressure restores the sweeps to their height. This is repeated multiple times, before the ride begins to slow down.
Down Draft
Dartron Industries has developed a floorless car version of the Hurricane. Known as the Down Draft, the ride uses shoulder restraints to hold riders, and increases the passenger capacity to five per sweep, sitting in one row of three and a row of two.Examples
- Argentina - "Hurricane" park model at Parque de la CiudadParque de la CiudadThe Parque de la Ciudad is an amusement park in Buenos Aires, Argentina.-History:The park was planned by the administration of Mayor Osvaldo Cacciatore in 1978. Cacciatore, appointed by Argentina's last military government, envisaged the park as the centerpiece of efforts to revitalize the...
, Buenos Aires. - Australia - Between 8 and 12 Hurricanes; all traveling models.
- United States of America - At least 10 Hurricanes; traveling models owned by Christiansen Amusements, Schoeppner Shows, Shamrock Shows, Murphy Brothers,N.A.M.E., Smokey Mountain Amusements,2 by J&J Amusements, Spectacular Midways, Evans' United Shows, and Casey's Rides. At least three Down Drafts; traveling models owned by All Star Amusements and Cumberland Valley Shows and a park model owned by KnoebelsKnoebelsKnoebels Amusement Resort is a family-owned and -operated amusement park, picnic grove and campground in Elysburg, Pennsylvania. Opened in 1926, the park has more than 57 rides, free admission, two wooden roller coasters, a 1913 carousel and a haunted house dark ride that was featured on the...
. - New Zealand - 3 traveling models
- UK - 1 model, owned by Pleasure Island under the name"Century 2000"