A Ferris wheel’s motion is driven by friction tires powered by electric motors. Rotating at a steady pace, its cabins remain upright, offering passengers a smooth ride with panoramic views from above. This article explains how the drive system, cabins, support structures, and safety mechanisms work together to provide a memorable experience.
Friction drive is the most widely used modern Ferris wheel drive system, because it is safe and easy to maintain. The working process of a friction drive is as follows:
A heavy Ferris wheel requires surprisingly low drive power: our 50m model weighs 104 tons, but runs on only 17.6 kW, roughly the power of a motorcycle. This is because power depends on both speed and force. The motor’s initial output is fast but low-force, while the Ferris wheel needs a slow, high force to rotate. So it uses a gear reducer to convert the high speed into large force to drive the rotation.
After the gear reducer generates the high driving force, it is delivered directly to the drive shaft. Then, the drive shaft rotates the connected friction tires (typically located on both sides of the rim’s lowest point). These tires press tightly against the Ferris wheel’s rim, pushing the massive wheel into a slow and smooth rotation.
Note: Early Ferris wheels were driven by central axis rotation. However, this drive system requires the central axis to withstand enormous force. Because material strength is limited, the size of these Ferris wheels is also limited. Therefore, this driving method is now only used for small Ferris wheels.
Ferris wheels rely on gravity to automatically keep the cabins upright. Modern engineering has further refined this mechanism to enhance passenger comfort.
Most Ferris wheels’ cabins are suspended from the wheel rim by pivots. The pivot is located at the top of the cabin, far above its center of gravity. Therefore, during rotation, gravity always pulls the heaviest part of each cabin (the bottom) downward. This keeps the cabin floor level and allows riders to sit inside the cabin as steadily as on the ground.
While gravity helps level the cabin, it cannot eliminate swaying. Modern Ferris wheels use one of two engineering designs to further enhance stability:
Based on their positions, the support structures of a Ferris wheel can be divided into three parts: the foundation and support towers at the base, the main shaft, bearing and hub at the center, and the spokes and rim at the outer edge.
On the edge of the wheel, the rim supports the suspended cabins, and the radical spokes hold the rim firmly in place. Based on their structural features, the spokes are divided into three types:
Ferris wheel safety is ensured on two levels: continuous monitoring for daily operation, and backup systems for emergencies.
The PLC (programmable logic controller) system tracks critical operational data in real time. Once abnormal data is detected, it automatically triggers an alarm or stops the wheel to protect passengers. It mainly monitors three key factors:
If the main drive system fails, a backup drive system keeps the wheel rotating, giving operators enough time to evacuate passengers. It includes two parts:
As the Ferris wheel rotates, the main highlight for riders is the slowly changing view: buildings and streets below become smaller, and the whole city gradually spreads out. The wheel rotates so slowly that riders feel almost no physical force, except a subtle sense of weightlessness at the highest point, which most people barely notice. This slow, steady motion creates a peaceful rhythm, making the ride relaxing rather than thrilling.
Understanding how a Ferris wheel works reveals the engineering behind its simple appearance. Its drive mechanics, support structures and safety system all work together to ensure a smooth and enjoyable high-altitude experience. Beston Rides designs and manufactures every Ferris wheel to ASTM and EN safety standards that deliver a 20-year service life with consistent reliability.