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Gerstlauer Eurofighter Lift "Brushes"

CrashCoaster

CF Legend
OK, so I'm asking a question that has been bugging me for ages, why do Gerstlauer Eurofighters have brush-like strips going up the lift hills, next to he anti-rollbacks? They all have them, are they for cleaning the bottom of the trains? I honestly have no idea. Does anyone have a logical answer?

E.g. Hydrus Casino Pier:-
 

Pokemaniac

Mountain monkey
Staff member
Administrator
Moderator
Good question!

If I were to guess wildly, I'd either say it has something to do with static electricity, or they are related to the distinct lack of clanking from the anti-rollback device. Perhaps they are keeping the "chain dog" up against the bottom of the car while it is moving forward, preventing the usual noise? Or is the verticality of the lift doing that already?

They could be for cleaning some contact surface, but that wouldn't require them to run up the entire length of the hill (a couple of short brushes would be sufficient for that). I had the wild idea that it could be related to the reason why escalators have brushes, but those seem to be there to prevent loose items of clothing or shoelaces from getting stuck between the moving and stationary parts of the escalator. Hardly a problem on coasters.

Do you have a better suggestion, @Hixee?
 

Hixee

Flojector
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Social Media Team
Do you have a better suggestion, @Hixee?
Short answer, no. ;)

I've never heard this definitively explained - only various people on various forums hypothesising. That's not to say that they're not educated guesses, but it's hard to know the real reason.

I can a few likely explanations (with a suitable debunk for each one too):
  • Prevent static build up between the train and the track. The colour and style of the brushes look very similar to other anti-static brushes you see in other engineering applications (movement joints in structures, mechanical machinery, etc). The problem with this theory is that why is this only a problem on Eurofighters? These brushes are not something we see on many other coaster types, and I don't think there's anything particular about the Eurofighter design that makes them more susceptible to static build up than any other coaster.
  • Prevent dirt and grease spreading too far from the train (the brushes act as a sort of container when the train is moving over them). This might tie up with the vertical lift, as the vertical lift may cause grease and dirt to fall more easily. The brushes might be there to prevent this spreading too far?
  • Something to do with the anti-roll backs, as @Pokemaniac has alluded to. Although this is my least favourite theory, as I feel like it's a pretty poor solution to the problem.

I haven't had the time to go and look at all the Eurofighters, or indeed all vertical lift coasters, but how prevalent is it? If it's on every model then it might suggest one of the more "fundamental" reasons (for example, not just for cleanliness as some parks may wish to take on that risk), whereas if it's only on a random selection it might rule out some of the other options.
 

CrashCoaster

CF Legend
^They are on every Eurofighter, even the 6-seater models like Dare Devil Dive. But it is only on Eurofighters. The Infinity coasters with vertical lifts (E.g. Monster) don't have them, but they have a magnetic anti-rollback system, making me more likely to believe it is to do with anti-rollbacks, since Eurofighters utilise a classic ratchet system.

Here is Monster for reference:-
 

Hixee

Flojector
Staff member
Administrator
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Untamed at Canobie does not have brushes.
Yes it does:
aacnstc


aacnsqa
 

toofpikk

Mega Poster
Rage at adventure island doesn't..? Or at least they are in an entirely different position and only exist at the very start of the lift. Why is this?
maxresdefault.jpg
 

Mack

Mega Poster
You're mistaken. Those are solid metal guides. They're not brushes. Eurofighters only use a ratchet/chain-dog system prior to engaging the elevator lift. If it did, do you think they would stay that pristine white for long? I'm pretty sure when we went over this and I had to learn 4 control panels with 20-40 buttons and a bajillion faults it can throw me about the lift they would've mentioned brushes.
 
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Mack

Mega Poster
Those are irregularities in the metal and droplets on the lens. I operated Untamed for over 10,000 hours and every component is required to be known to take the exam and be cleared to operate the roller coaster. They're not brushes, but if you wanna think they are, then whatever, I don't care. I'm just letting you know I operated that ride and the modified rollback system of the elevator lift and even retrieved a set of keys jammed the lift and throwing a fault on OC1 but you probably know better based on a video.
 
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Mack

Mega Poster
It's rude to insult my intelligence when earlier in the thread I pointed out I operated the ride and say based on a screencap the absurd training I went through and 14 hour summer days were hallucination, and the snotty tone was the first volley of rude. Rude gets rude back.
 
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Mack

Mega Poster
i don't really give a crap about the original topic anymore, just when i get on a flight i don't, in an insolent manner, tell the pilot how the fly the aircraft

and i've been here since 2004 and anything punitive by cf used to be fun. also if you have a problem with the f-word you need to like, take a step back and evaluate what's important in your life haha

don't mind me just passing through:emoji_wink::emoji_upside_down:
 
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davidm

Strata Poster
...and I've been here since 2003, so what?
I don't personally have any problem with the f-word, use it all the time. Just don't think its appropriate to be plastered all over (exaggeration, obviously) a forum frequented by people who might be put off by it. Is it big&clever to have it in your avatar and sig? Wow we are impressed. Ha ha.
 
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