Sturdy Trelleborg tyres let families enjoy Majestic rides

If you enjoy being tossed about in midair, the Catch’N Air made by Majestic Rides of New Waterford, Ohio, is for you. The vibrantly painted carousel is a staple of traveling carnivals all over the United States, with eight tubs that go round and round and up and down, as well as some jumps thrown in for extra thrills.

Rick Steed, who is in charge of purchasing and customer service at Majestic, is quick to praise the reliability and durability of the Catch’N Air, thanks in no small part to Trelleborg tyres.
“We design, test and build every ride from scratch, but once they’re out there, they have to be sturdy, safe and reliable, with no downtime,” says Steed. “The tyres under each tub take a lot of abuse, with a new round starting every five minutes. That can easily add up to 10,000 rides or more each season. tyres that are not tough simply wear out.”

During the ride, tubs carrying up to 500 kilograms (1,100 pounds) of passenger weight travel up and down a slope, making regular jumps before slamming into an airbag. tyres used to accelerate roller coasters out of their launch gates or carry circular rides around their trajectory must also be able to handle the intense sun and heat of summer, the busiest season at fairgrounds.

“Trelleborg tyres, whether the softer dual-service type or those made from the tougher Lion compound, are not specifically designed for use in amusement parks,” says Bill Cummins, Director of Research and Development at Trelleborg Wheel Systems Americas. “Rides use industrial tyres that generally go on forklifts and other industrial loading equipment. The goal is to have the tyres last through the season without any problems – just install them and use them.”
Made from solid rubber and designed for heavy-duty use on internal combustion or electric vehicles, these tyres can last up to two seasons on a ride before they need to be replaced during winter maintenance. Majestic’s customers load and unload their rides every week to move them to a new location; making repairs or waiting for parts would wreck the busy schedule of these rides.

“We started working with Trelleborg a long time ago,” recounts Steed. “They gave us recommendations for the right tyres and what to look for in our tests. In the end, we settled on the type of tyre that lasts the longest and does the least amount of structural damage to the ride. We chose excellent wheels for the abuse they’re put through.” Yet the best testimonial might be the excited shrieks of thrill seekers as they bounce around on a sunny afternoon.