Have you ever thought that your backyard can be used for many fun activities? With the help of some simple set up you can convert your boring backyard into an adventurous place by installing ziplines and zipline platforms. It is simply a setup of cables and pulleys that uses gravity and friction for a fun ride from one end to another. It can be of different heights, depending upon the requirements as this technique is also used in unloading of heavy cargoes from certain heights. Here we will discuss about some important facts about the setup of zipline and zipline platform.
The zipline ride uses the mechanism of setting up a strong cable at a certain slope for an accelerated ride. For this purpose the setup must contain a platform from where the rider or any object starts riding. Depending upon the availability and convenience it can be of following types.
Free Standing Zipline Platform
As discussed earlier zipline platforms are the end support for your zipline. If there is no support available like trees or solid wall, than free standing platforms are used. In these type of platforms, you have to install wood or metal posts of certain diameter to support the zipline. The posts should be sunk to a certain depth and secured with concrete for rigidity. For more stability of posts a guy cable should also be used with proper applied tension.
Attached Zipline Platform
Depending upon the availability, the zipline platform can be built by attaching it to some tree of tree house. Trees are used most commonly for attached platform. After making sure the proper location and supporting objects to which platform has to be attached, the zipline kit is then installed with proper mechanism as per the requirements. The starting point and landing point is then connected by means of riding cable and a certain slope is provided. You can also attach your zipline platform with your tree house.
You don’t have to worry about the required equipment’s and accessories for the setup of specific zipline. A wide range of zipline kits are available for this purpose.
200 ft. Zipline Kit
These are easily available in your market both in online and offline. You can set up this kit by your own with the help of some simple guidelines with a little profession advices. Basic requirements are two anchors just like trees to hold the platform with safety. Most of the 200 ft. zipline kits comes with a seat arrangement that can hold up to 300lbs of weight.
DIY Zipline Kit
If you are planning for a compatible zipline set up and you don’t have the time for getting professionals and worker to do so, than you can set these adventure by yourself. Diy or do it yourself are such kind of zipline kits. The kit comes with simple equipment that can be installed easily by simple professions. But you should ensure the different safety parameters after setting up zipline kit by yourself. You can also take advice from the professionals if needed.
Getting the perfect place and zipline kit is not enough, you should also be aware of certain parameters for setting up an effective and safe zipline.
Zipline Angle
The slope for a typical zipline can be setup according to the safety and to get a moderate acceleration. It is recommended that a slope of 3 to 4 percent is enough for the length of a 100 feet zip link set up. Further recommendations will be provided by the kit supplier for better safety and riding experience.
Zipline Tensioning
Tensioning a zipline is a major factor in installing the whole set up. The tension in the cable effects the speed and attitude of the rider. The main constituent of tension a cable is its slag. Slag is the load on the cable due to the rider. The tension and slag are inversely proportional to each other. A 2 percent of slag is recommended for a safe and enjoyable ride.
Target
Zipline target or landing points are the reaching point of your zipline riding. Although you want to keep these points as far as possible to enjoy the ride for a long time, but the target should be set up according to your available space and kit. If you your back yard is equipped with swimming pool than you can make your ride more adventurous by keeping target points in pool.
Brake Block
The riding set up is equipped with brake block to use friction for a safe acceleration and balanced ride. It can be done by setting up different type of breaking block in the set up. Bungee brakes, springs brakes are most commonly breaking system available in your zipline kit. You can also use some other methods like using leather gloves, gravity breaks etc.
Build
To build a break block for your zipline you have to follow these simple steps:
Select the material and tools according to your cable
Create a block to guide it on cable by making a slot of diameter bigger than cable dia.
After proper set up of breaking cable in block close the block with the help of proper bolting.
Bungee Brake
If building a braking block seems to be difficult than you can install bungee brake system for proper breaking. It consist of a braking block installed on the cable and has bungee cord that is connected to the block, its stringed out end is then connected to nearby tree or post. When the trolley makes contact with stopping block then it decelerate the motion of riding with safety. It will make your ride smoother too.
Safety
Although zipline riding is a fun thing but you should be take proper safety measures before riding.
There should be no obstacle between the starting point and landing point of ride.
The tension and sage of the cable should be within recommended parameters.
A minimum distance of 7 feet or more from ground should be maintained throughout.
Read the safety guidelines provided by the zipline kit supplier properly.
How Much Weight Can It Hold?
The weight carrying capacity of a zipline cable is totally depends on the purpose. If talking about riders than the minimum recommended weight should be 60 to 80 pounds and maximum it can be of 260 pounds. Still you should confirm it from your supplier for the different length and bearable weight of the cable.
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