Fire Ball
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|
| Fire Ball | |
|---|---|
 Ride as seen at a fair in 2013. | |
| Various | |
| Status | Active |
| Ride statistics | |
| Attraction type | Compact looping–reversing |
| Designer | Larson International |
| Height | 59 ft (18 m) |
| Length | 58 ft (18 m) |
| Capacity | 20 riders per hour |
| Vehicle type | Car |
| Vehicles | 5 |
| Riders per vehicle | 4 |
| Rows | 1 |
| Riders per row | 2 |
| Height restriction | 48 in (122 cm) |
| Previous names | Super Loop (early 1970s) Ring of Fire (1988) |
Fire Ball is an amusement ride manufactured by Larson International. It replaced a series of Larson rides manufactured prior to its unveiling, the first being the Super Loop and the second being the Ring of Fire. Several variations of each exist (ex. Space Raiders, Mega Loop, etc.) The rides run the same but the older models have a caged train, whereas the Fire Ball has an open face-off train. Also, some owners of the older Ring of Fire rides have had the caged train replaced with the new Fire Ball train.
Design
The rides are similar in design. There is a large steel boxed-track loop attached to a concrete base or portable trailer with supporting outriggers and steel cables. In this boxed track is a multiple-piece pivoted end-rim (inertia ring) with wheel dogs attached settled within this boxed track. On one section of the rim the train is snugly placed. The rim is run through a shock-absorbent tire drive, which drives the train around the loop.
Travel Path
The ride's train is rocked back and forth at a generous rate, as not to put too much stress on the tire drive. It elevates on every pass through the station until it has gained enough momentum to make it completely around the loop. Once a number of consecutive loops are made it can be shifted to go the other direction. It can also be hung upside down (stopped at the top).
Operation
Most if not all of the Super Loop-styled rides are manually operated with a toggle handle. Most of these rides have a dead mans operators chair to detect the absence of an operator, as not to move if the handle was just bumped without someone sitting on the chair. Operators of these rides have to be knowledgeable of weight distribution and speed-to-distance ratio.
Back Falls
Since the Super Loop-styled rides are tire-driven, even the slightest water build-up on the rim can cause the drive tires to hydroplane on the rim. This action keeps the ride from completing its loop and can sometimes make a loud annoying squeal. It is also not good to operate this ride in frequent lightning.
Safety Features
- Emergency power cut-off button.
- Four photosensors, two on both sides of the loading deck to detect items or people in their way.
- Dead-man's operator chair that detects the absence of an operator.
- Anti-air double-lock harnesses with secondary precaution belt that activates when air is released.
- Pull-up-and-move operation toggle that will only move when tip of handle is compressed.
- height requirement of 48"
Power
90 KW for the wheel drive and 30 KW for all lighting elements.