The Hurricane was first manufactured from 1972 till 1991 by Frank Hrubretz & Co (USA) based on the more primitive 1948 design of the Saturn 6. From 1992, Dartron Industries (USA) took over as the Hurricane’s sole manufacturer. There were however, some 5 units manufactured in Australia under license in the 1970’s by Kevin Ferrari and Lenmax
The ride consists of 6 arms, each carrying 4 people, which undergo a fast rotation combined with a series of fast-paced bounces. This gives riders of all ages a fun, action-packed ride as the bouncing arms expose the rider to varied speeds and centrifugal forces, as well as feelings of weightlessness.
Underneath the centre post is a giant compressed air cylinder that is connected at the top to the 6 arms. At the completion of each bounce, the operator activates a control that releases air in the cylinder, causing the arms to fall again.
A carnival is not complete without the familiar scene of the cars sweeping over the heads of passers-by, with the loud bursts of compressed air that go hand-in-hand to the classic hurricane ride.
Dartron has since released a variationt of the Hurricane: Downdraft using a semi-suspended seating configuration with increased capacity of 6 per car.
There are approximately 40 hurricanes in North America, 8 in Australia and 3 in New Zealand with never-ceasing popularity amongst the young and old. The ride racks up on a single trailer and can be set up in around 2 hours.
Looks awsome!
ba-boss-bomb - July 2nd, 2009 at 7:48 am
I went on this ride not so intense but fun good ride
Drew Katonak - August 23rd, 2009 at 7:28 am
I have been looking all over this ride
Aaron J. Smith - September 13th, 2009 at 9:00 am
As a kid, this ride was fun, and I thought the sound of the compressed air being released was the coolest thing ever. Gary
Gary - October 24th, 2009 at 11:52 pm
I used to run one of these. I was the best ride to run,setup, and teardown.
Jim Gardner - November 29th, 2009 at 4:14 pm
This was my absolute favourite ride as a kid. I went on it for the first time as an adult on New Years Eve - it hasn’t lost any of its charm
Kate - January 2nd, 2010 at 7:31 am
Por favor comunicarse estoy interesado en comprar un HURRICANE
Patricio Veintimilla - July 11th, 2010 at 3:08 am
Went on this first time today. Was the best ride I have ever ridden at a Carnival. I just love it.
Dallas - July 25th, 2010 at 5:51 pm
I have been trying to find this ride in Louisiana for years, it use to come to neighborhood park every year when the fair was going on. Looking at the videos of it just took me back and I laughed just hearing the sound and the screams on the ride. It was simply the best.
Ron - August 4th, 2010 at 5:26 pm
If any one know of a way to find out where the hurricane will appear again please inform asap if its in New Orleans or somewhere close.
Ron - August 4th, 2010 at 5:28 pm
im on it waiting for it to start with my online cellie! here we go! aahhhhhh. i cant breth vary good. luv the hurrrican blibem my lips in da wind darn phondis ringin muzt be mom… talked to mom on the hurricane ride. she wondered what i was doing. i said i was on a ride. she laughed!
wavymouth - August 25th, 2010 at 2:45 am
it is not 2:45 a.m. here it is 12 46 pm and we carnys are messin around on the hurricane for our lunch break in pennsylvania
wavymouth - August 25th, 2010 at 2:47 am
The old school, original Saturn 6 Hurricane was amazing to ride and watch - especially at night!
Al - September 15th, 2010 at 11:01 am
I wish this ride was still at the Puyallup Fair =(
roy - October 24th, 2010 at 11:20 am
Pretty neat
Angel - December 21st, 2010 at 6:55 am
My FAVORITE ride.
Lindsey - January 3rd, 2011 at 6:25 am
The Hurricane and the Spider(Breakdance) are my FAVOURITE RIDES EVER!!
Jayde - January 4th, 2011 at 11:09 am
i got a major whiplash the first tme i went on this, but i loved it so i went on it 24 more times haha
mike - January 17th, 2011 at 7:58 am
The Hurricane ALWAYS made me feel sick. I would spend the rest of the day with my head in my hands trying to keep my lunch down…
Paulie Jay - March 15th, 2011 at 10:18 pm
The hurricane literally takes my breath away!
wavymouth - March 21st, 2011 at 7:44 am
Hello; did kolinski ever build a hurricane. I have a gentleman wanting to sell one, and he told me it was a 1978 kolinski. Just wondering, Max
Max Ivey Jr. - March 24th, 2011 at 11:06 am
anyone know how fast this goes? i want to compare it to the turbo boost theres only 3 in the world apparently…
Chelsea - April 20th, 2011 at 6:02 pm
i love watching this ride at carnivals or fairs never rode one love the sound the compressed air makes when the arms go up
harry - June 6th, 2011 at 12:43 pm
Just rode one about 2 weeks ago at a local carnival. Just as fun as I remember. Great ride. One of my favs.
Ted Russell - July 13th, 2011 at 6:21 am
the fair i go to finally got rid of this, for me it’s good news. i hate that sound
BL - August 20th, 2011 at 5:52 pm
Always rode the Hurricane as a kid. Then had the opportunity to run one for many years. There’s a secret snap trick to running this ride. If any other operators are posting, they’ll know what I mean. Sadly, our show sold theirs in 2008. :(
Chuck - October 31st, 2011 at 3:21 pm
that compressed air sound terrified me as a kid but i rode it anyway :D
ass head - December 19th, 2011 at 6:41 am