Thinking about adding a mechanical bull to your rental lineup? Not all machines are built the same. Here’s what every rental owner should be asking before handing over their money.
There’s a moment every rental business owner knows well: you find a piece of equipment at a price that seems too good to pass up. Maybe it’s an import, maybe it’s a lesser-known brand. It looks the same in the photos. It moves the same way. So what’s the difference?
The difference shows up at your first event.
Galaxy Multi Rides has been manufacturing mechanical bulls since 1990 — in our own facilities in Florida, USA and Harrogate, UK. We’ve seen what separates a great investment from a costly mistake. Here are the seven questions we’d want you to ask any supplier, including us.
1. Is It Manufactured In-House?
This is the first question, and it cuts straight to the heart of everything else. Brands that manufacture in-house control quality at every stage, from steel fabrication to safety padding to software. Suppliers that outsource or resell imports have no visibility into what they’re actually selling you.
When something breaks at 6pm on a Friday before a Saturday event, you’ll find out very quickly whether your supplier built what they sold you. If they didn’t, they can’t fix it fast, because they didn’t build it.
What to watch for: Vague answers about manufacturing location, products shipped directly from overseas with no local support, no factory address or facility photos available.
The Galaxy answer: Every Galaxy machine is built in-house at our facilities in Florida, USA and Harrogate, UK.
2. What Safety Certifications Does It Carry?
Safety certifications aren’t just paperwork. They’re what allow you to operate at licensed venues, secure business insurance, and protect yourself from liability. Rides without proper documentation can get you turned away from events or leave you dangerously exposed if a rider is injured.
Some venues specifically require certification documentation before you can set up. Your insurance provider will likely ask the same questions.
What to ask for specifically: CE marking (required for EU/UK markets), ASTM compliance documentation, operator safety manuals, and whether there’s a formal operator training or certification program.
The Galaxy answer: All Galaxy machines meet safety engineering standards and come with operator manuals, safety training videos, and a Certificate of Training program.
3. How Long Does Setup Take — and How Many People Does It Need?
At a busy event, every minute of setup is a minute you’re not earning. Some machines require three or four people and 45+ minutes to assemble. That eats directly into your labor costs and limits how many events you can run back-to-back.
The best rental equipment is designed with operators in mind — not just riders.
What to watch for: No setup time listed in the product specs, requirements for specialized tools or a trained technician, heavy and awkward components with no transport solution.
The Galaxy answer: Two people, 15–20 minutes. The system breaks into four main components — bull or attachment, motion base, control console, and inflatable — all designed for fast field setup without special tools.
4. Is There a Spare Parts Catalog — and Can You Actually Get Parts?
No mechanical equipment runs indefinitely without maintenance. The real test of a manufacturer is what happens after the sale.
If a supplier can’t provide a spare parts catalog, your ride will be out of commission every time something minor wears out. Parts availability is the difference between a one-day fix and a six-week gap in your bookings.
What to ask specifically: Is there an online spare parts catalog? What’s the average lead time on replacement parts? Are parts stocked locally or shipped internationally? Is there tech support available after purchase?
The Galaxy answer: We maintain a published Spare Parts Catalog available on our Support page.
5. What Does the Warranty Actually Cover?
Many budget suppliers offer a “warranty” that’s effectively useless — covering only manufacturing defects under extremely narrow conditions, or requiring you to ship heavy equipment internationally for any repairs.
A warranty is only as good as the support system behind it. Before you sign anything, understand exactly what’s covered, what’s excluded, and — crucially — who you call when something goes wrong the night before your biggest event of the year.
What to ask specifically: What’s the warranty period and what does it cover? Who handles warranty claims — the manufacturer directly, or a reseller? Is there a dedicated support contact, or just an email address? Is there any after-hours support option?
The Galaxy answer: We offer product warranties and provide first-class customer service before and after purchase. Contact the team directly to discuss warranty terms for your specific machine configuration.
6. How Easy Is It to Operate — and Who’s Running It at Events?
At real events, you’re often handing the control console to a member of staff who wasn’t trained on it yesterday. A ride that requires technical expertise to operate safely creates a liability — not just for you, but for your clients and their guests.
The best machines are designed so any competent operator can run them confidently after a short briefing, with pre-set programs, safety overrides, and intuitive controls that reduce human error in the field.
What to watch for: No operator manual provided, complex multi-step startup procedures, no safety cutoff or emergency stop, software that requires a laptop or app connection on-site.
The Galaxy answer: Our control console features automatic programs, a manual joystick with speed controls, a spin/no-spin switch for younger riders, and a keyed emergency stop. It’s designed to be operated confidently across language barriers.
7. Does This Supplier Understand the Rental Business?
What to watch for: A supplier who only talks about the machine itself — and goes quiet when you ask about setup logistics, operator training, event-day support, or what happens when something breaks mid-booking.
The Galaxy answer: We’ve been in the rental industry since 1990. We build the equipment, but we also understand the business you’re running. When you call us, you’re not talking to a salesperson reading a spec sheet — you’re talking to people who have helped thousands of rental operators build successful businesses around our rides.
Ready to Ask Us These Questions?
Galaxy Multi Rides has been building the world’s best-selling mechanical bulls since 1990, manufactured in the USA. We answer every question. Every time.
Contact us at sales@galaxymultirides.com or call +1 (941) 697-0324, or visit galaxymultirides.com to learn more.
