Flying Saucer Exercise Wheels
United States Patent # 6,578,526 B2
Chinchilla striding on Standard size Flying Saucer
Click here for pricing and to order Flying Saucer Wheels and Parts:
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New Videos of chins running on the Flying Saucer Exercise Wheel:
Running Chin (real time 2 min.) 6 megabytes
Running Chin Slow Motion (2 min.) 6 megabytes
For more information, please call 360- 928- 0113
or e-mail to Meadowbrook Chinchillas: mail@chin-chillas.com
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360- 928- 0113 and complete your order by phone. We accept Visa and Master Card.
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EFFECTIVE DIAMETER vs. ACTUAL DIAMETER: The unique, patented dish design of the Flying Saucer Exercise Wheel
produces a running surface with a diameter substantially greater than the actual wheel diameter.
The greater 'Effective Diameter' allows animals to use a full length stride and run faster than ever before.
Large Wheel: Effective diameter: 24-26 inches
Actual diameter: 15 1/4 inches
Standard Wheel: Effective diameter: 20-22 inches
Actual diameter: 13 3/4 inches
Small Wheel: Effective diameter: 16-18 inches
Actual diameter: 11 inches
Now in three sizes: Large, Standard and Small Animal
Side view of wall mounting
Large wheel with slide-out wood support.
Bearing Dust Covers:
All wheels ship with a bearing dust cover.
The dust cover greatly increases bearing life.
Protects bearing from dust, moisture, animal urine.
I invented it to provide a safe exercise outlet for chinchillas and other small animals. Drum-type wheels must be very large to avoid over-arching of the back. Wheels with slats, bars, cross members, spokes, open wire mesh or screen often result in serious injury to the animals. Feet, legs or heads may be trapped or snared, sometimes requiring amputation or resulting in death of the animals. Since rodents are nocturnal, most injury will occur at night. If a foot becomes trapped, the animal may chew it off to escape. This wheel has no openings, slats or sharp edges where injury can occur. And it also really works well for exercise.
Click here to see Parts and Assembly:
Wheel dimensions when mounted:
The Standard Wheel accommodates animals up to 2 1/2 lbs, most ideal for average size chinchillas. The Standard wheel will fit through a cage door 9" x 12" or 10" x 10".
The Large Wheel comes with a removable support block to support heavier animals. For skunks, opossums, prairie dogs.
Benefits: Superior respiratory health, cardiovascular conditioning, disease resistance and a lot of enjoyment. We really have some well-muscled and firm chinchillas! Chins of Steel!!!
We recommend removing the wheels just prior to an expected delivery date because the adults can generate very high wheel speeds. If a new born kit is exploring and an adult starts up the wheel, the kit may be thrown off the wheel and injured. Reintroduce the wheel at weaning when kits are at least 3 months old. At the point in time the kits have good jumping skills and coordination.
Use patterns: Adults and weanlings often share or alternate using the wheel. While one is running, the other may jump over the runner and land in the center of the wheel. The runner will usually jump off as the other chin slides down and begins running. They trade back and forth. They run in either direction, change direction while on the wheel and learn to start, stop, mount and dismount the wheel with great expertise. Some seem to enjoy the thrill of suddenly stopping and then riding the saucer around.
Construction: Simple, clean, strong construction using the metal spinning process. The dish is axle-mounted on two pressed, flanged ball bearings for stability and durability. Dishes are constructed of galvanized steel. A standard 3/8 inch diameter bent metal cage hanger bracket, attachment devices and hex wrench are included.
Wheel care: The bearings are durable but are not water proof or dust proof. Do not submerge the wheel in water as this will cause damage to the bearings. Dust bath material is extremely abrasive. Try to keep the dust away from the wheel. Do not give your chins a bath on a level above the wheel where excess dust will fall onto the wheel. Do not use the wheel surface as a dust bath area. The normal amount of dust on a chin following a bath will have little effect on the bearings. To clean the wheel, use warm water and wipe with a paper towel. Dry the surface after cleaning.
Bearing life and replacement: The bearing dust caps have greatly prolonged bearing life. We have 60 wheels in daily service and no bearings have failed in the past 2 1/2 years since the introduction of the bearing caps. In the event bearing replacement is necessary, see the Bearing Replacement page for instructions. If you have questions about bearings or bearing replacement or other wheel issues, please e-mail me, Dr. Marty Hull, at zoomers@olypen.com