ZipLineGear

Recently Brian Greenstone had a chance to review some of our gear. Here is the video.

Our launch platform is free-standing and constructed of pressure treated lumber (2 x 8’s, 6’s and 4’s) using galvanized fasteners (16d twist nails and heavy lag screws). The zip line uses a classic arresting block and 1/2 inch marine-grade shock cord anchored to a third tree (tangentially) to the main cable at around the 55-60 foot mark. We use separate shock cords for “kids” and “adults”. There is no landing platform as the arresting block and cable actually return the seat and rider to almost the initial contact point and riders simply hop off the seat. We are working on a seat return system as the next feature. Following a ride, we currently clip a line to the seat and walk it back up to the launch platform. Speed is good at maybe 15 or so mph. Despite the relatively short length the ride is exciting and pre-flight safety checks keep riders (the “thrillbillies”) healthy.

The zip line statistics are as follows:

Top anchor height:         12.5 feet

Lower anchor height:        8.5 feet

Cable length:                         70 feet

The top anchor uses an 8 foot cable sling, pressure treated blocks on the circumference of the tree, galvanized fasteners, a 12 inch turnbuckle, and safety chain. The lower anchor uses the same blocks and cable clamps only.

Here are few photos and a sketch of the zip line:

Nathan, thanks for the great website.  Here are zip line pictures from our website, www.farmhouselife.com.  Farmhouse Life is our farm-based campground in central Iowa located near the Raccoon River Valley Trail.  We have a bunk house, shelter house, mess shed, a pool in a grain bin, and a zip line for kids with more plans in the works.  The zip line is 80 feet long with a 10 foot long sand trap for stopping.  The “launch platform” is less than 4 feet off the ground but the kids think that the first step off the platform is a great adventure.  More pictures are available on the website.

The zip line is hugely popular and the “deals” that determine who gets to go next are funny to observe.  Two adults are constantly on the move returning the trolley and putting on safety harnesses but the kids have a blast.

Our son Jake in full safety harness about halfway down the line.  We tried a seat tethered to the trolley but the kids like to have their feet swinging free.

Our niece Bailey heads down the line while Ian helps keep order on the launch platform.

This 200′ Mammoth Deluxe kit was installed over a large pond in early 2008, right here in our beautiful hometown of Grants Pass, Oregon. The kit was slightly customized to fit the location; the bungee stop was removed since we could drop into the water or coast to a stop before reaching the far end, and a full line of attachments were added to allow multiple types of riding.

The zip line starts about 20′ above the surface of the water. The Mammoth Deluxe kit uses an 8′ cable sling to wrap around the tree on each end and connect to the cable with a 12″ turnbuckle.

The cable ended being far too slack for the first run, and the first ride ended abruptly, with our test rider drenched and sitting on the seat in about 10 inches of water in the middle of the pond! We tightened it up a bit and tested it again- standing on the seat this time!

We eventually tuned it to where the seat would hang above the water, just high enough to reach down and skim the water as we zipped across.

We put the younger kids in a climbing harness and swung them around over the water with the return line (3/8″ braided nylon rope), before pulling them back to dismount at the top.

The 20″ straight bar was great for dropping off- it’s weight (about 5 pounds) keeps it from bouncing around too much when someone lets go. Even so, our favorite was the dual handlebar; it doesn’t rotate like the straight bar does…

…and you can ride it upside down and backwards!

We also found that having a lot of slack in the cable allowed us to swing people side to side over the water, using the return line. This ends up being even more thrilling than the straight ride down- it’s a giant swing over the water.

One of the guys finishes a back flip off the zip line seat.

This is a short video of the zip line in action!