How To Set Up A Zipline Without Trees

Zip-line construct with no trees
Disclaimer: Use your own judgement or consult an proficient before installing your own nix line. This site describes my idea procedure, strategies, and execution. Install and employ at your own take a chance.

So I wanted to build a zip line in my backyard butttttt my backyard doesn't have any copse, I looked around and couldn't locate directions for setting up a naught line with posts so I decided to write about it for all you newbs out there. There are several challenges with using posts.
Fist I grabbed a DIY Zero Line Cable Kit from Ziplinestop.com

First is the height difference. Predicated on the directions that came with the kit, for the 60 foot jog, the naught line desires around xxx inches of height difference. The offset meridian ought to exist almost 102 inches as well as the finishing tiptop would be about 72 inches.
I utilized a light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation level (SKIL MT 8201-Self-Leveling Cross Line Laser) as well as a yard stick to gauge the difference in altitude between the beginning and ending of the zip line run in my backyard. Fortunately, I 'd around 22 inches of altitude change. What this means is that I just demand eight added inches of height differential for my setup.

2nd is the tension in the cord. The kit uses 1/iv″ steel cablevision with a tension of 300 pounds with no load and 600 pounds maximum tension. It will be extremely tough to identify posts in the ground which could resist that quantity of forcefulness without angle over and losing pressure.
I thought of ii alternatives to the stress issue.
ane. Brace the posts with struts or wire anchored to the ground.
2. Anchor the cord anchor to the in the ground on both ends and go over the posts with pulleys.
I selected choice 2 since information technology looked simpler to execute.

It's obvious that a lot of the tension is tolerated by the concrete anchors in theground because the posts are subjected to a angle forcefulness that is dependent upon the angle of the cable equally it turns across the pulley. The farther away from the post the anchor is set, the less angle force (and total force) on the place.
This layout can be further enhanced by line-fishing the posts away from each other by five or x degrees.

Here is the starting pressure treated lumber post for the zip-line. I used two basis anchors which bring together together and adhere to the wire. The first anchor position was not in line with the zip-line and it caused also much lateral force on thepulleyresulting in a cleavedpulley. I used the 2nd ground anchor to properly align the system. The horizontal department of chain 2/3rds up was used to increase line tension and balance angle forces on the post. Note that the post is angled backwards well-nigh x degrees from vertical. This also reduces bending forces.

Here is the deejay swing seat tied to the trolley of the zip line.

Here is the end post of the nothing line showing the pulley on top and the chain to the footing ballast.

I needed a pad to wrap effectually the cease post so that the kids don't get injure. I looked at pads for basketball game poles simply they were very expensive. I constitute a camping pad and wrapped it around the pole with the included straps. Information technology is doubled over itself to increase thickness. It works bully. I ended adding a few more straps to secure it better than shown in the pictures.

You lot tin can go a camping ground pad like this at Amazon

I used a 4×half-dozen″ pressure treated wood mail service 12′ length. The hole was dug approx 4-1/2′ deep, 2′ across and 2′ broad. A pocket-size amount of crushed stone was placed at the base and impacted. Then the post was set. It was angled away from the reverse mail service v-10 degrees. Then the crushed stone was placed and impacted around the mail using a 2×4 and bricks. The stone was finally covered with dirt and grass.

This is my design for a concrete anchor to hold the tension of the zip line. I don't know how much weight this blueprint tin can hold. It probably depends on footing weather, depth of hole, geometry of pigsty, amount and type of cement, amount and type of rebar, and chain size and orientation.

I dug a hole about two feet deep, three feet beyond, and 2 feet long. I tried to make certain the base of the hole was wider than the meridian of the hole. Ii rebar rods were impacted in the base of operations of the hole line-fishing away from the chain direction as shown. A third rebar rod was threaded through the concluding link on the heavy concatenation and placed behind the upright rebar rods. This arrangement is able to hold tension without any cement. Next, ii 80 pound bags of concrete mix are prepared and poured into the pigsty. Clay is packed on top of the anchor once the physical sets.

I researched options for posts for the zip line in the net. At first I idea I would apply force per unit area treated wood and put them in physical. It seems that the wood volition rot and the physical may crevice. Most people suggested placing the posts in the ground filling the hole with crushed stone. This allows the wood to stay dry and non rot. Since the posts are non subjected to high bending forces in my blueprint, I idea this would work well. The other bonus is that it is easier to remove the posts if they are not cemented in the ground.

Parts List:

Aught Line Kit From Zip Line Stop. This one is made for kids but can hold up to 225 pounds. It comes with the trolley, cable, and most of the hardware that I needed. Toll $229
Alien Flier R100 kit

4×6″ x 12′ Pressure level Treated Timber. Price well-nigh $25.00 each from Domicile Depot.

Koch 3202093 2 Cablevision Block Fixed Flange, Zinc Plated Pulleys from Amazon. I bought 2 at first just needed an additional one to handle the high force on the starting side. Cost $6.99 each every bit of 7/xviii/2013.

Concrete – I used 4 bags of Sakrete 80lb Concrete Mix – $4 per bag at Home Depot

6 i/4″ Stainless Steel or Zinc Coated Ballast Shackles – about $2-4 each from Dwelling house Depot

1/ii″ Rebar for the cement ballast, I cut it up into 2-iii foot sections and used 2 pieces per anchor for a total of about 12′. Cost about $15-$20 total depending on where you buy it. I had some pieces lying around from a previous projection.
Steelworks Boltmaster #4-i/2X72 Rebar 11804 Rebar W/Smooth Rods

Since the cable tin break at the loop, I reinforced the loops with thimbles for added security. The kit had ane so I bought one for the other end of the cable.Koch 143121 Wire Rope Clips and Thimble for ane/8-Inch Cablevision, Zinc Plated . Toll $4 on Amazon equally of 7/18/2013.

It is very hard to get the proper initial tension by hand. The final tension is fix with the turnbuckle which comes in the kit. I used a ratcheting cargo strap for this. Cost $19.10 for a set up of 4 from Amazon as of 7/xviii/2013.