Chain lift

Chain lift hill on Diamondback at Kings Island.

A chain lift is a type of lift hill found on many roller coasters. It is the most common method of lift hills, and has been in use for more than a hundred years.

Notable chain lift hills

  • Fury 325 - the tallest chain lift hill.
  • Steel Dragon 2000 - has two chains on the same lift hill.
  • Tornado - a chain lift hill so fast it could be considered a launch.

Mechanics

The anti-rollback system

A chain lift is propelled by one or two motors located under the lift hill. As the motor turns, it moves the chain. When the train enters the lift hill, the chain dog attaches to the holes in the chain, and it propels the car forward. The anti-rollback device is the clicking noise found on most roller coasters as they ascend the lift hill.


Roller coaster descriptions
Thrill elements
Water ride elements