Happy to report about the new cycle on Sledgehammer.
It is indeed much better and longer. I did not time the cycle but its definitely longer than what used to feel like 1 minute. It seems like a solid two minutes now.
It still swings only to the 240-degree angle but does not go full power from a standing start. The Gondola seeks to spin a little more also when the ride starts.
Great changes, the only slight letdown might be on busier days, now with a longer ride time it will make the whole waiting process longer given how this ride usually operates with one operator and one attendant. On my visit (Saturday) it was just the one ride op.