Hurricane

Most chain lifts have a tensioner pulley that is used to keep tension on the chain.  A tensioner pulley mounted on a pivot or on a spring mechanism can be found in a variety of systems such as engine belts in cars, chain drives on bicycles and motorbikes, and drive belts on clothes dryer drums.  The tensioner pulley on Hurricane uses these three concrete cylinders as weights to pull the tensioner to the right.  As the train is connected and disconnected to the chain, the tensioner can move side to side to adjust the slack on the chain.

While this picture is a nice look into the mechanical systems required to operate a roller coaster, I took it because the weights reminded me of the "Hidden Mickeys" scattered through Disney's amusement parks.

©2020 Joel A. Rogers.