zip line backyard
Whether you're looking to build a backyard zip line for do-it-yourself style or you're thinking about buying a kit you first need to understand the basics. It may seem daunting at first as there are so many factors; do I have to calculate slope and sag, what are the height requirements, can my home accommodate a backyard zip line kit. We will go into depth from start to finish on how you can safely and reliably come up with a zip line design that will satisfy your family for years to come.
The first thing you need to do when installing a zip line is of course choose a location! Ideally in your backyard or on your property, you’ll need to find two trees that have a direct path towards each other. You might already have a spot in mind, but it is always good to have a couple different options. Check out this article if you want to install a zip line without trees. Measure and track these distances in feet. Most zip line kits go up from 50 to 500 feet, in 50 foot increments, so you’ll need to decide what cable length suits your scenario. Next we’ll talk about all the requirements for a safe install in the next section.
Deciding on an anchor will help you secure the zip line firmly in position. I mentioned in the paragraph above to choose two trees. Seems pretty simple, but there’s more to it. These trees need to withstand a lot of horizontal force. Up to 3, 000 pounds to be exact, which is more than a ton.
M Zipline Kits For Backyard For Adults/children
Let’s first start on what not to do. Do not choose trees that are rotten, old, have cracks or rooted in loose soil or sand. You cannot attach the zip line cable to a branch under any circumstances. Please use common sense or consult an engineer!
Cable Sag is the amount the zipline drops when a rider’s weight is added. The simple formula is (Length of Zipline) x (.02). An example of this is a 100 foot zip line would have 2 feet of sag. You want to take this into consideration as you don’t want your rider’s feet to be dragging as they ride.
We recommend a 3% slope for zip lines will be only utilizing a stop block. This means there would be a 3 foot drop every 100 feet. If using a bungee braking system, the maximum slope is 6% or 6 foot drop per 100 feet.
Hearthsong 80 Foot Red Galvanized Steel Backyard Zipline Kit With Adjustable Seat, Non Slip Handles, And Rubber Stopper
We now need to find out 3 more inputs. Keep in mind anchor height refers to the height of where your zip line attaches to the tree or anchor.
Elevation Change is easy if you are on flat land, it’s 0 feet! If you are on a slope or hill you may have to use a sight level to find the elevation change between the ground level of the starting anchor and the ground level of the end anchor.
We highly recommend using Galvanized Aircraft Cable for zip lining. It is durable and flexible and you can find out more about all the cables here.
Why You Should Make A Backyard Zip Line
Cable clamps or U-Bolts are used to secure dead ends of cable. We recommend 15 ft. lbs of torque and 3 cable clamps, 1-2 inches apart.
A turnbuckle is a device for adjusting the tension or length of zip line cables. It is used to make adjustments to how much slack your cable has.
Cable Slings are designed to wrap around your anchor whether it be a tree or a pole. The two loops connect to the turnbuckle.
Extreme Backyard Zipline
Thimbles help maintain the durability of a cable by preventing crimping. They should used in any sharp turns on a cable. In most cases you’ll use it near the cable clamps when the cable has to loop back around.
First we need to start at your starting anchor. Depending on what kind of zip line kit you have, the instructions may be a little different. Typically on the starting anchor you need to wrap the cable slings around your anchor to attach to a turnbuckle . The zip line cable will attach to the empty end of the turnbuckle and will wrap around the ending anchor, secured with cable clamps . Take a look at the pictures below.
The starting and ending anchor instructions might be vice versa depending on your kit’s instructions and there might be two turnbuckles (one on each end for further tensioning).
Video] Diy Backyard Zip Line. Turn Your Backyard Into An Amusement Park!
With zip line accessories there will be cases where certain components have to have the cable fed through them, as opposed to being added on after the cable is set up. Be sure to check your individual parts!
There are trolleys where the end of the cable has to be fed through the trolley. There are others that are completely detachable. Please check out choosing a zip line trolley for more.
Being able to stop a zip line is a big concern for some! It’s a top priority for us too. There are a variety of braking systems that you can choose from. We do recommend having a Bungee Braking System, combined with a Stop Block. In some cases, a spring stop is acceptable! Or you can get creative. We go in depth into zip line brakes here.
Post a Comment for "zip line backyard"