10 things ride mechanics hate about rides

[@veteranmechanicgarage4974]

Im not a ride mechanic but i am a conveyor mechanic and a lot of the things you say are true to my field as well.

[@ryantheridemechanic]

@@veteranmechanicgarage4974 honestly if you can work on a conveyor, your 90% a ride mechanic!

[@amanor409]

I used to work as a ride operator and we all had a close relationship with our mechanics. We relied on each other to make sure everything was safe. I’m glad I found your channel to get a better look at the other side of the rides I didn’t always see.

[@ryantheridemechanic]

Welcome, thanks for the comment

[@MikeLegacy]

I think a great idea for video topics would be to cover famous coasters/rides and explain how they work/why they are down, etc. I know some enthusiasts do this already, but would be great to get a mechanics perspective on things like “here’s why this ride is down all the time” “this is how this launch system works” etc etc. A lot of us love to see the inner workings of a park and having inside knowledge is great, even if it's just an informed guess. You’re already doing a lot of this and I’m loving the vids!

[@ryantheridemechanic]

Thanks for the comment

[@shaunpayne81]

I'm in the UK and I've only been a subscriber to this channel for about a week, and its fast becoming one of my favourites. Its great to get an insiders view on the mechanical side of things, one of the most frustrating things at a theme park is when a ride is "down for maintenance". Do you think that a park should be a bit more open with guests when its just for cleaning up vomit/blood, or someone passing out in the queue line? it would help guests realise that the ride is safe and also give them an idea of how long the ride will be down for.

[@ryantheridemechanic]

its bad either way. when they say the ride is down, you loose people even if its a simple reset. when you say someone vomited, you loose people just on the gross thought. so there is no good option. best I heard was a magic mountain they said the ride was temporally down but they advised waiting in line. parks don't like this because if I wait 30 min for it and they were wrong, im more upset now than if I just got out of line. no recall good way to handle this

[@dihedraldesign7978]

Thank you so much for these videos! What a special treat to have found them. As a former Ride Op in my college days, I definitely can relate to the "Down to Maintenance" vagueness...having occasionally been thrown at the front of a queue with no information on what to tell guests. Interesting to learn the challenges they probably were facing at the time. Very interesting.

[@ryantheridemechanic]

Glad you like them!

[@michaeltaylor1603]

LOL! Mechanics were MY friends. I worked at a themed park. I knew maintenance personnel pretty well from Carpenters, paint, Fiberglass, electricians, sign shop, mechanics. Even knew drafting/engineering. Certain mechanics had their own "babies" Rail road, Shuttle loop coaster, Arrow suspended was Emerick & Johnathan. Also some flat rides Chance YoYo/ Trabant. Shuttle Loop would misindex long or short. Ride ops push train forward or backward manually. They all could tell funny stories. I learned a lot from them and eventually moved from railroad to Sign Shop.

[@huntzzio]

1:05 Wooden coasters: 👁️ 🫦 👁️ Just kidding i know they sometimes have steel support structured and the wheels actually run on steel. And woods heavy. Great videos, your take on the industry is much appreciated to enthusiasts, keep it up!

[@sushiyamaster989]

My favorite new channel!

[@ryantheridemechanic]

Welcome! Glad your here

[@LSM_Lover]

Currently in college for electrical engineering, dream is to soon be a ride mechanic, great videos, just subscribed!

[@ryantheridemechanic]

Awesome! Keep up the hard work for those courses. I’m glad you found me.

[@iaingarbison6986]

All too true As a seasoned operator and new to the game maintenance technician I can completely agree here Represent Ryan Ride Mechanics For Life

[@m_ianO]

Sending shine and support to the maintenance departments everywhere.

[@TheCoasterSerpent]

I thought you were going to list evacs as the number 1. I couldn't imagine how bad scared guests could be when walking down a lift hill. Sheesh, I was witness to some epic breakdowns guests had waiting on the final brake run of Superman at Great Adventure... You know, the flier where you are a measly 4 ft off the ground on that brake run...

[@ryantheridemechanic]

We always had operations do the bulk of the work. Maint was just there to open the restraints when asked. But we Alway had first aid there to judge the people before we opened the restraint. If they found people that looked like a panic risk they would address them first

[@chriss1019]

Hey Ryan! Here is an idea for a potential video topic. Can you talk about how they take trains on and off the track? Not so much about how they are transferred off, even though this might be related, but more like when they take them off for like an off season overhaul or some other reason. Just thought it'd be interesting.

[@ryantheridemechanic]

Sure. Not a cool as transferring off haha. but I can do this for sure.

[@chriss1019]

If you can talk about both that'd be cool too!

[@sushiyamaster989]

Do both!

[@michaeltaylor1603]

I worked @ the defunct AstroWorld Houston, TX. Ride boats, train, etc. had special places all around the park ready to go to maintenance. Fiberglass, Paint shop, mechanics, electrical shop, etc. Then everything put back together!

[@ThemeParkScienceExtra]

Very interesting!!

[@theheardtheorem]

This is such an interesting channel! I guess the silver lining in Fury 325’s issue is that I found your channel.

[@ryantheridemechanic]

That’s awesome thank you!

[@51gary51]

Ryan, I just discovered your channel and, boy, am I impressed! Here's an idea for a future video: I've heard that new roller coaster wheels cost $1,000 EACH! Not sure if that's for the weight-bearing road wheels, side-friction guide wheels, or the upstop wheels. Would love for you to elaborate!

[@ryantheridemechanic]

Actually I just made a video last night about this. I’m adding some pictures and releasing it soon hopefully.

[@51gary51]

@@ryantheridemechanic Hey, talk about perfect timing! Can hardly wait to see your video!

[@smokkin1]

Whoa how did you end up on my feed? Pretty sure I went to HS with ya. A few years after that I worked at a local water park, and got sent to the local roller coaster park once our season ended, saw you working maintenance there. Good to see you around Ryan, subscribed and looking forward to watching what you are up to.

[@ryantheridemechanic]

Very cool!

[@ccubsfan94]

I've always wondered, does it hurt when the big sky hook grabs you and moves you to an exit of a ride?

[@Bigbluespoon]

I once saw a nerds fun size packet on the track to a roller coaster that was there for months

[@ryantheridemechanic]

Ha! I wonder why. Of course I’ve done my fair share of experiments “let’s see how long the is will stay here” type stuff haha

[@markvolpe2305]

What are some rides that are maintenance nightmares and rides that are very reliable in your park?

[@ryantheridemechanic]

Schwarzkopf rides were a pain. We had a curved lift 5 loop model. Yikes! Changing lift tires for days.

[@easynhonest]

👍 I Alway praise the maintenance crew of Knoebels for their ride upkeep, but do you think maintenance on old rare antique rides would a bigger nightmare for crews or that newer rides are worse?

[@ryantheridemechanic]

Older rides are more of a nightmare because the supply Chain has dried up. When you need stuff it will now require engineering to make a new part an that is not easy or cheap at all. Good question

[@Project_Storm1999]

Can you do a video on what happens during construction and testing and state testing of new rides like what part u guys do and what the manufacturer does and stuff thanks for the videos

[@ryantheridemechanic]

Yea good idea.

[@coastermania17]

One time I was getting on a Zamperla giant frisbee and someone threw up on the previous cycle and much to my surprise, the ride attendant said the ride was "down due to natural causes"

[@ryantheridemechanic]

About as natural as you can get!

[@thelochnessmonster2.0]

Your videos are awesome! I have a couple questions about roller coaster wheels. The last time I went to Worlds of Fun, the Mamba (the parks Morgan hyper) went down for maintenance twice in one day because maintenance needed to replace a wheel. It appeared the polyurethane coating had lost a chunk both times. One of my friends went to World of Fun a couple weeks later and the Mamba closed to replace a wheel again, which feels like quite a bit of wheel issues. 1. How often do you have to replace a wheel on most coasters? Is more than once a day excessive? 2. Is there a specific reason with the track or trains that would cause roller coaster's wheels to lose chunks of the polyurethane? 3. Have you heard anything about Morgan wheels being problematic/do different manufacturers need their wheels replaced more often? 4. About how much does it cost the park to replace a wheel?

[@ryantheridemechanic]

Great questions. Best response with a video much easier to show in this case because I can.

[@thelochnessmonster2.0]

@@ryantheridemechanic Thank you so much for considering my questions! If you do end up making a video I'd be eternally grateful

[@Project_Storm1999]

How do you tell which codes is for what I assume newer rides have digital screens and stuff but ik the old arrows and stuff dont that must be annoying 😂

[@ryantheridemechanic]

Old rides don’t really talk so you have to be one with the ride to trouble shoot. It’s a true pain in the but.

[@Project_Storm1999]

@@ryantheridemechanic maintenance at my home park said old rides are like babies something’s wrong they just cant tell u😂😂 newer rides are teenagers complain for every little thing and b&ms are the only adults

[@modquad18]

Just discovered your channel, great content! I’m actually looking for an old gas-powered, cable drive #5 Eli Wheel and Scrambler. If you know of any sitting around, or know someone who deals in used rides, I’d appreciate it.

[@ryantheridemechanic]

That’s a rough one. The paper “Amusement today” has an add section in the back. I know good used stuff is very hard to come by. Google has search if you type in used amusement rides. Maybe someone reading the comments might know as well. Either way make sure you get the service and NDT records for those.

[@modquad18]

@@ryantheridemechanic Thanks, I appreciate that!

[@Jenlovescoasters]

What is your absolute love coaster? And what is your least fave to work on? Just curious.😊

[@ryantheridemechanic]

Hmm that’s a hard one. I honestly love the Matterhorn at Disneyland. Always loved it sense a kid. Not an extreme thrill but they built an entire mountain. I’ve always loved any mountain or tunnel Type ride. Now I don’t have ands on wit the hate but listening to all the BS that Magics X2 has to have happen. I don’t like that at all. Personally ands ON: I don’t like working on schwarzkopf coasters.

[@Avalanche_Ride_92]

I sub you and i am a ride enthusiastic i am always wondering how many times a ride would beeak down and curious about air control valves and motors and hydraulic system I am a enthusiastic about a ride called Avalanche and it's built by Wisdom Rides industries and i am always looking around and finding out in and out of this ride and this channel will help me what i would like to know I am wondering about a gear part called sleuth ring that is used on th ride behind the big arms that holds the bench of seats in a row and its inside of a hub that turns the arms I am wondering what drives it and pushes it inside There's 4 holes behind the scenery panels where the sweep hub is Any thing would help this fan out Cool channel

[@ryantheridemechanic]

@@Avalanche_Ride_92 thanks! And welcome! I haven’t done a video specifically on slewing rings yet but I think I will in the future.

[@j.l.m.6862]

As a fella that's worked a variety of things, intermittent electrical faults are often the worst to diagnose and repair.

[@ryantheridemechanic]

Yep because you have to troubleshoot in it’s failed state “DONT TOUCH ANYTHING” I’ve actually had to hold people on rides for another 5min or so while I tried looking for the problem in relay logic systems. Not fun.

[@j.l.m.6862]

@@ryantheridemechanic I had a fuel pump decide to not pump right in the middle of an intersection, then it decided to work again. That wasn't fun, either. If I ever put in a new fuel pump in an old car, all of those connections will exceed O.E.M. (I'm thinking solder and shrink tubing, or at least solder and taped).

[@ryantheridemechanic]

@@j.l.m.6862 what a pain

[@j.l.m.6862]

It seems to be a common fault in older vehicles. And due to the labor time involved, many shops will advise full replacement of stuff still having some service life left. The "buy once, cry once" idea, I suppose.

[@jenkins1]

just here for the aesthetic face no actually the topic is new and interesting, gonna dive in (i think there's no permanent roller coasters in the country i live in. gonna come handy)

[@ryantheridemechanic]

Very fascinating even if you have no local equipment. Thanks for the comment.

[@sharkheadism]

1:13 what kind of parts are those?

[@ryantheridemechanic]

That’s actually the bottom half of a Larson loop train, removed from the loop.

[@sharkheadism]

@@ryantheridemechanic Hate em

[@ryantheridemechanic]

@@sharkheadism feeling is mutual

[@JungleJetAviation06]

Hey! I love you vids. I wanted to ask you a question. Are ride mechanics allowed to talk about how coasters work with guests? Because when I went to Disneyland I asked a cast member how many trains are on the track and she said I can't really talk about that but then I spoke to a manager of the ride and he said 10 but he also mentioned how certain components of rides can't be discussed with guests do to contracts they sign with manufacturers. I just wanted your thoughts, thanks!

[@ryantheridemechanic]

Most parks don’t want to discuss things like this for 3 reasons. 1) it distracts the workers slowing the rides throughput and possibly casing a safety condition. 2) it none of the guests business at all. They don’t need to know “our” inner workings. 3) typically when questions like this are answered, it has to come from the PR department so the park doesn’t get a black eye. They want to know who they are talking to and what they are doing with that info. I got in trouble by PR because I said the cost of a ride that was 18 years old. “Never say a cost” they said.

[@JungleJetAviation06]

@@ryantheridemechanic Okay gotcha, thanks for the thorough reply. I love roller coasters and how they work so I just have a curious mind, I never meant any harm by asking them lol. Thanks for the reply!

[@ryantheridemechanic]

@@JungleJetAviation06 no worries. It’s always been curious with questions I’ve had growing up so let’em rip. There are some thing I can’t/shouldn’t say and if that’s the case I’d let you know.

[@JungleJetAviation06]

@@ryantheridemechanicAlso, just in general, why do parks sign these types of contracts with manufacturers that certain things can’t be discussed? They are not nuclear codes lol

[@ryantheridemechanic]

@@JungleJetAviation06 it’s because the manufactures don’t want to get into price fighting. Pricing is a negotiation so they can’t sell the same ride for the same price twice. They don’t want “well you sold it to this park for 12million why is our 15million?” Every coaster is custom and there is sooooo much that goes into price. They are not like buying a new car.

[@randallmcclairty7464]

A true number 1 is maintenance hates engineers.

[@ryantheridemechanic]

I guess it’s the engineers you work with. The ones I worked with, had and still have a great relationship. Sometimes they get in the way of a repair but their looking out for the best interest of the safety, equipment, and park overall.

[@mikmik9034]

I don't like a close=up where the head takes of almost a fifth of the screen, it is too close, it invades my space. [As subjective as it might be.] Use more plans and images other than your own. BTW my Da was a prewar (The Great Patriotic War) Carney, and 'Wheel Walker' (assembled Ferris Wheels) they had very few mechanical (No Electronic) Safety features, and everything was solid steel for safety. What little safety they had in those days. He was on the 'Jimmy Jones Show' with Ed McMahn.

[@spinba11]

@3:20, it’s not just the maintenance team who need to deal that that, I’ve lost count of the times I’ve seen the ride staff running up and down the train pushing every harness down a bit further trying to work out which one isn’t closed far enough, that’s why B&M are good, the ride tell the staff which seat isn’t down far enough

[@HaroldKuilman]

Hall effect sensors, why the F aren't hall effect sensors on this list. You talked about rides being dirty but one spec of dirt containing any metal can cause a ride to go down 😢

[@ryantheridemechanic]

Hall effect sensor are actually pretty stable well at least the one I’ve used, hard to mess up as well. Inductive prox, yea keep them cool and clean.

[@HaroldKuilman]

@@ryantheridemechanic I've seen them detect a lot of ghost trains, might be brand dependent though, or the type we use/hate are called induction proximity sensor over there in the US. The little green boxes of crap that we have several new ones of in our toolbox to almost use daily... Lucky they are light weight and cheap 😅

[@ryantheridemechanic]

@@HaroldKuilman ok so hull effect is different than inductive proximity. Hall effect sensor won’t flag with metal in front of them. That strictly work off of magnetic polarity so the need a magnet to flag them.

[@ryantheridemechanic]

@@HaroldKuilman I feel like we are talking about the same thing with different terminology. Let’s agree sensors suck 😂

[@HaroldKuilman]

@@ryantheridemechanic from a physics perception; all metal and magnet detecting sensors rely on the hall effect to work as they change the magnetic field when present. Where I worked (in the Netherlands) we just call them sensors, we didn't have any that detect magnets in particular. So that might be a translation error from my side. And yes, let's agree they suck. Another thing that sucks are the plastic caps on the wheels of old vekoma wheels (like on most boomerang coasters) that can easily be kicked off by employees or guests.., once or twice a week 😅 during high season we would just glue them in place, break them during the bi-weekly maintenance and replace them for new ones to minimize downtime.