Breakdance (ride)

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A Breakdance operating at the 2005 Royal Melbourne Show

The Breakdance is an amusement park ride, designed by HUSS Maschinenfabrik in 1985. Upon release, the ride design proved to be an instant hit, with HUSS now producing four varying designs, all of which can be acquired in transportable, semi-permanent, or permanent forms.

1 Design and operation
2 Variants
- 2.1 Similar rides
3 Appearances
4 References

[edit] Design and operation

A Breakdance consists of a dodecagonal platform with a diameter of 20 metres. On this platform are mounted four hubs, each bearing four two-person cars. The entire ride is on an incline of 7.5°. When the ride is activated, the platform rotates, the hubs rotate in the opposite direction to the platform. The combination of the platform slope, hub movement, and weight displacement within the cars cause them to rock back and forth, the oblique join mount and the motion of the ride allowing the cars to rotate through 360°.

Breakdances incorporate backdrops, and the provision for sound systems, elaborate light displays, and special effects equipment is made. Controls for these additional systems can easily be routed through the operator's console.

Travelling versions of this ride can be dissassembled and stowed on two 40ft trailers, one for the ride itself, the other carrying the platforms, backdrop, special effects equipment and ticketbox.

[edit] Variants

The success of the design has prompted HUSS to manufacture three additional variants to the Breakdance design. These are:

Breakdance 2 - Six four-car hubs are installed on the 20m platform.
Breakdance 3 - The platform is reduced to 18m in diameter, and the slope of the platform is significantly reduced. No backdrop is sold with this ride, which in combination with the size and slope reductions, significantly reduces the overall weight of the ride. The 8 ton difference makes this variant popular for transportable operations.
Breakdance 4 - Also known as a Rodeo, this variant removes the platform entirely. Instead, three four-car hubs are connected to the central motor by exposed arms. There is no slope to the ride.

[edit] Similar rides

Rides almost identical to the Breakdance have been produced by other companies. Below are listed the companies, with the ride name in brackets.

Safeco (Blade Runner)
Sobema (Break Dance)
Fabbri (Crazy Dance)
Top Fun (Magic Dance)
Nauta Bussink (Star Dancer)

[edit] Appearances

Over 110 Breakdances have been manufactured by HUSS, the vast majority of which are still in operation.

Australia - There are 5 Breakdances in Australia; four transportable models and one semi-permanent model located at Luna Park Sydney.
Canada - At least one, at Playland.
Germany - There are at least 46 Breakdances operating in Germany.
The Netherlands - There are 7 Breakdances in The Netherlands; six transportable models and one permanent model located at Walibi World
Belgium - There are 3 Breakdances in Belgium, 3 transportable
United States - Rodeo at Six Flags over Texas is a Breakdance 4, Crazy Dance portable model owned by Midway Of Fun.