Guy Cables And Ground Anchors
What is a Guy Cable? Well it goes by many names , but it is a tensioned cable designed to add stability to the zip line pole. In your case, it helps takes tension off the zip line as weight is applied horizontally.
Posts with Guy CABLES and ground anchor posts do not have to have the same diameter, but it must be 8 inches Diameter, minimum.
Cable attachment must be 12 inches from top of pole, minimum, and as close as possible to zip line attachment point.
Install Guy Cables at a distance equal to or greater than attachment height. For example if the height of your zip line on your wooden pole is 10 feet, install the Guy Cables at least 10 feet away.
The post should also be anchored from behind to withstand the weight and bearing load on the zip line cable.
Notice the slight change in elevation, this should be an approximate 6% grade but you can adjust this depending on how quick you want the zip line to move. Also many of these parts like the pulley, concrete, and chain can be purchased at a local hardware store and the zip line cable on this site.
Fourth Step: Install Your Trolley And Safety Gear
Now that you have your zipline installed, its time to install your trolley and safety gear. The trolley is the device that you will attach to the zipline that allows you to slide down the line. There are a variety of different types of trolleys available, so be sure to do some research to find the one that is right for you.
Once you have your trolley, you will need to attach it to your zipline. This can be done using a variety of different methods, so again, be sure to do some research to find the one that is right for you.
After your trolley is attached, its time to install your safety gear. This includes things like helmets, gloves, and knee pads. Again, there are a variety of different types of safety gear available, so be sure to do some research to find the one that is right for you.
Once you have all of your gear installed, its time to test it out! Be sure to have someone hold the other end of the zipline while you test it out, and be sure to use all of your safety gear. Once youre satisfied that everything is working properly, youre ready to start using your zipline!
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Zip Line Build: The Dos And Donts
In the world of zip line building, there are lots of options for how and where you can build a zip line. There are many publications, manufacturers, and outlets that promote less-than-ideal zip line construction and operation methods. The flexibility in what some find acceptable for zip line builds can lead to injury or even death. Here at Skyline, we have strict protocols in the design, development, fabrication, and installation of zip lines to ensure the safest procedures and practices are used to ensure operators, guests, and builders alike are all safe. Hence, we have devised a list of what we feel are acceptable and unacceptable practices for building zip lines.
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Third Step: Assemble Your Zipline
Now that you have all of your materials, its time to put your zipline together! This process is actually pretty simple and can be done in just a few steps.
First, find a level spot on your property to set up your zipline. Youll want to make sure that there are no trees or other obstacles in the way, as this could potentially damage your zipline or cause injuries. Once youve found a good spot, its time to start assembling your zipline.
To do this, youll need to first attach the trolley to the cable. Make sure that the trolley is securely fastened, as you dont want it coming loose while someone is using the zipline.
Next, connect the handles to the trolley. Again, make sure that these are secure and wont come loose while in use. Finally, attach the carabineers to each end of the cable. These will be used to connect the zipline to its supports .
The Best Privacy Trees To Plant In Ontario:
Emerald Cedar
An emerald cedar tree grows up to 25 feet tall and 8 feet wide. However, the trees growth slows down considerably when it reaches 15 feet and 4 feet wide. If youre growing emerald cedar as a specimen tree, plant it so that its trunk is at least 3 feet from a wall, fence or the edges of other trees or shrubs.
Green Pillar
Green Pillar Pin Oak is a deciduous tree with a narrowly upright and columnar growth habit. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition. Green Pillar Pin Oak is recommended for vertical accent hedges & screening.
Dawyck Green Beech
Fagus Sylvatica Dawyck Green is a great alternative to the more commonly planted fastigiated oaks and hornbeams. It originated from Scotland circa 1850. A beautiful medium sized deciduous tree with a columnar form, which rarely exceeds more than 3 metres width. It is ideal for specimen planting, screening or to form an avenue.
Tower Polar
Fast growing seedless tree with dense columnar form. Lobed leaves are green on top and furry white underneath. They are a sound barrier, screen or accent plant. An added feature is the yellow fall colour.
Bruns Serbian Spruce
A beautifully upright, narrow, pyramidal form with graceful branching and dense foliage. An elegant conifer that can be used in city gardens and larger landscapes as a specimen, privacy screen or windbreak.
Columnar Blue Spruce
Pyramidal English Oak
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Set Up Your Wire Cable
We attached the highest point of our zip line to the top of our tree stump in our backyard. My husband sawed some grooves into the tree stump. Then he wrapped the end of the 125-foot cable around the stump and then over the top.
Then, we attached a wire clip to the cable to secure it tightly in place.
Once our wire cable was in place, it hung at its highest point at about 9 feet in the air. If you dont have a tree to attach your zip line, you can also build your own anchors. I found this really helpful video that explains how to do that.
Different Ways To Build A Zipline In Your Backyard
You dont necessarily need trees to build a backyard zipline. There are a few different ways that you can do it.
One way is to build a platform on top of a tall structure, like a deck or a shed. Youll need to secure the platform with posts or beams so that it doesnt collapse. Then, you can attach the zipline to the platform and run it down to the ground.
Another way is to use metal poles to support the zipline. You can either dig holes to bury the poles in, or you can use concrete footings to keep them in place. Either way, youll need to make sure that the poles are very sturdy so that they dont topple over.
You can also build a zipline without any support at all. This is called a free-standing zipline. To do this, youll need to secure one end of the zipline to a strong object, like a fence post or a tree. Then, youll need to tension the zipline by attaching weights to the other end. Once its nice and tight, youre ready to go!
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How To Install A Zipline Bungee Brake:
The bungee brake must be installed close to the end of your zipline to stop the pulley and slow down to a stop. Mount the wooden block with the rubber side to the side where the pulley collides. The bungee cord then goes from the wooden block to the bungee anchor point on the side of the main cable. The bungee stretches 180%, so make sure that the bungee cord does not stretch further when braking. If your bungee streches beyond 180%, the steepness of the zipline must be adjusted and / or an extra elastic bungee cord must be installed.
Mount the wooden brake block with rubber facing towards where pulley will hit th eblock. Insert bolts trough block and washers. Tighten nuts. Attach the bungee cord with a quick link.
How to make a DIY wooden brake block?
It Is Strong Safe And Super Fun
I am really happy with the new Super Sized Zipline and really confident in the strength of the platform. I took the information I learned from the treehouse and a lot of private research, and was able to build with confidence. Now, this isnt the last youll see of this zipline platform. I plan on making that area an entire tree fort village with linked platforms and rope ladders, so stay tuned!
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First Step: Choose Your Location
When it comes to choosing a location for your backyard zipline, there are a few things youll need to take into account. First, of course, is whether or not you have trees in your backyard that you can use for the zipline. If you dont have any trees, dont worry there are still plenty of ways to build a backyard zipline without them.
One option is to build a freestanding support structure for your zipline. This will require some construction knowledge and materials, but it will allow you to put your zipline practically anywhere in your backyard.
Another option is to attach your zipline to your house or another existing structure in your backyard. This might be the easiest option if youre not comfortable with construction, but it will limit where you can put your zipline.
Once youve chosen a location, its time to start planning the rest of your backyard zipline!
Zip Lines And Canopy Tour Adventures
For the adventure seeking tree house dwellers, zip line rides are the thrill you’ve been looking for. We install everything from a basic home zip line kit to full fledged canopy tour adventures where people can zip from platform to platform in the trees. Our zip lines have ranged from a 60 foot exit from a tree house to a 900 foot ride that crosses a lake. Some zip lines land on the ground in the middle, and some land on distant platforms in the trees.
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Testing Your Zipline Before Use:
Weight test:
Hang a rope on the pulley in the middle of the track and hang a test weight, equel to the weight of your heaviest participiant. Or hang on to it with two adults to get a simulation of a weight of around 150kg. Mark cable at each end with a marker or pen. After the weight test, inspect the marks for indications of clamp slippage.
Check all bolts are checked and secured. Never load the zipline with more than 150 kg on the pulley.
Bounce test weight up and down and observe anchors for exessive movement.
Speed test:
Have a test person sit on the zipline and walk alongside to that person while holding a rope attached to the pulley. Increase the speed at each test attempt until you are convinced that the pulley will not extend the bungee cord more than 180% and the users will never reach the lower anchor point of the zipline at full speed and under maximum load of a person.
Inspect riding gear:
inspect on proper configuration, damage, bending,..
Loop And Secure The Cable Around The First Tree
The loop around the first tree is very straight forward. Wrap the cable around the tree protection blocks and secure it with three or four cable clamps as shown in the picture. Make sure to use cable clamps that are made for 1/4 cable.
There are many different cable clamps out there, online or at the local store. Its important to choose the right size for your application. For safety, use heavy-duty clamps. You dont want to buy cheap clamps that could fail and cause injury.
The first set of clamps I purchased was cheap and bad quality. After a few rides, the cable would sag because the clamps would slip. I tried to tighten the bolts but the tread failed and broke off with the bolt. So I went to the store and bought heavy-duty clamps for the same cable size.
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Build The Platform Structure
The concept behind this gigantic zip line is that I need to build a platform that is about 9 feet up in the trees as a launch pad. The zipline is built to match the sloping contour of the terrain out at the farm. The 9 feet was measured off of that information matched with the droop of the cable and the height of a grown adult hanging from the line. So, if you are considering making one of these for your backyard, take those dimensions into consideration.
I first began by doing a lot of research. After the treehouse build, I wanted to take the comments I got about some of the building methods and research their validity. Things like using nails instead of screws, the tree-attachment methods, and the lack of joist hangers all came together in the plan for this zipline platform. I chose to screw some ledger boards directly to the tree and build the frame on top of those. Using some pressure treated lumber, I built the frame on top of the two ledgers using strap hangers and structural screws. To add even more structural stability, I ran knee braces from the bottom of the platform to the tree trunk at 45 degree angles and secured them with more joist hangers.
Few Fun Facts About Ziplines:
- The longest zipline in the world is in Puerto Rico, reaching 7,234 feet long, and 1,200 feet above the ground!
- In Hongdae, China children use a zipline to cross a wide gorge when going to school and back.
- The worlds fastest zipline reaches a speed of 100 mph! Located in the mountains of Wales, UK.
- The longest and highest zipline in the US is located in New York state, reaching a speed of 50 mph.
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Add Decking & Railing
Now that the platform was structurally sound, I could make it suitable for people. That means adding pressure treated decking boards across the joists, spaced 1/8 apart and adding a safety railing all around the platform. The railing was supported by 4×4 posts and structural screws and consisted of pre-assembled deck railing panels from the home center. Of course, I added a space at the launch point so the zipliners can shoot off the side. After building a quick and easy 2×4 ladder, I was ready to install the actual zip line.
Use A Temporary Cable Clamp
The next step in our guide on how to build a zipline in your backyard is to attach a temporary cable clamp. Place a winch on it and then attach it to the tree. It should be found around 20 feet from the end. Next, winch the cable up and wrap the free end of the cable around the tree. Clamp the leading end to set it there.
Ideally, the clamps should be found 8 feet away from the tree. Now you can take off the winch on the first clamp. Reuse it and place it on the permanent cable clamp that is found the furthest. This is an important step that will allow you to make other adjustments to the cable. When you see the cable stretching, you can tighten it with the help of this winch.
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Prepare The Main Cable
Slide a 5cm section of plastic tube and a clamp on one side of the cable and close it in a loop around the other eye of the turnbuckle. It’s better if you do that on the highest side of the zip line, so you can pull the cable and lock it on the other side without using stairs.
Leave the turnbuckle fully extended , so you will have some room to increase cable tension afterward.
Slide the plastic tube over the part of the cable that exceeds from the loop, to protect it.
Choose Something Like A Tree
There is the possibility of a pole in your backyard or something like it. If it looks like a tree, it can be suitable for your own zipline. In urban areas you can find such constructions, but in rural ones it may be rarer. Street signs could work as well, just like posts, pylons, some railing, telephone or volleyball poles, etc. Once again, make sure they are solid enough, especially if you plan on adults using the zipline as well. You wonât believe the amount of force the line generates when in use, so it can destroy easily a weaker anchor.
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Build A Frame For Tree Stand
Since the zipline starts high from the first tree and slopes down to the second tree, you need a ladder to get up to the seat. For kids safety, I wanted to build something permanent and sturdy. So I built a tree stand that they could stand on and get on the seat easily. With 20 in diameter tree trunk, there are plenty of surfaces to attach the stand to.
First, build a frame around the tree trunk. The platform of the stand is 40 wide by 24 deep. Take pressure treaded 2×4 and cut two pieces 40 in length, two pieces to 20 in length, and two pieces to 16 in length. Attach the two 20 pieces to the 40 making the 40×24 frame. Then measure the diameter of your tree and mark that measurement on the backside of the frame. Attach the 16 pieces to the backside of the frame on each side of the tree diameter measurement.