Expert Tips for Zip Line Anchoring | How to Secure Your Backyard Zip Line

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the construction and safety considerations for anchoring a backyard zip line, specifically focusing on the bottom anchor and alternative solutions to using a telephone pole. Participants explore various anchoring methods, structural designs, and safety precautions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant proposes using a 6"x6"x12' plywood buried 4 feet in the ground with a guy wire anchored to a 4"x4"x4' post, questioning its effectiveness.
  • Another participant humorously misinterprets "telephone pole" and emphasizes the importance of hiring a qualified engineer for safety-related projects.
  • A participant notes the community's cautious approach to safety, suggesting that members are reluctant to provide advice that could lead to liability if someone were to get hurt.
  • One suggestion includes using an 'A' frame design for the wire support to prevent sideways falling and to mitigate risks if the rider goes too far.
  • Concerns are raised about the longevity of wood in soil, with a recommendation to avoid buried wood anchors due to potential rot and sudden failure.
  • The importance of understanding soil type and conditions is mentioned, as these factors influence the effectiveness of the ground anchor.
  • Discussion includes the concept of wire tension and sag, referencing the "Triangle of forces" to explain how these factors affect the safety and functionality of the zip line.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the need for safety and the importance of consulting a qualified engineer, but there is no consensus on the best method for anchoring the zip line or the specifics of the design.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty regarding the effectiveness of various anchoring methods and the implications of soil conditions on anchor strength. There are unresolved questions about the best materials and designs to ensure safety.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for individuals interested in DIY projects related to zip lines, safety engineering, and structural design considerations in outdoor recreational setups.

Eeman0201
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So I'm making an ~200ft long zip line with the top being anchored to a tall tree in my backyard. My problem is I need an anchor for the bottom. Can I use a 6"x6"x12' plywood buried 4 feet in the ground with a guy wire anchored to a 4"x4"x4' 2.5 feet into the ground? What would you say I should use to anchor th zip line about 4-7 feet off of the ground? Note: I can't find any used telephone poles near me so you have to come up with something else besides a telephone poll.
 
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Isn't a telephone poll when someone calls you up and asks you what you think about how well the mayor is doing?

Considering that this is safety-related, I would hire an actual engineer and not go looking for what a bunch of folks on the internet say.
 
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Eeman0201.
Welcome to PF. Thanks for the question. Sorry about the reception you received.
I had never heard of it being called a zip line before so I had to look it up.

Anyhow, the folks here at PF are highly averse to doing anything that might come back at them if someone got hurt. There are other sites, frequented by members who have less competency that will happily help you solve the problem of providing a good solid anchor.
 
The wire support should be an 'A' frame so it does not fall sideways, but more importantly, if someone goes to far they do not hit the post.

A good design would be to keep wood away from the soil. Over time, wood will rot in soil. You will not be able to inspect a buried anchor so when it fails, it will fail suddenly without warning.

The ground anchor will come down to a number of things. What is the soil type? How deep is the soil, does it have many rocks?

The strength of the anchor must be enough to handle the maximum tension in the wire. Sag will be very important because it reduces the wire tension, but the tension in the wire will always be more than the rider. The straighter the wire the more tension will be produced by the weight of a rider as is demonstrated by the “Triangle of forces”. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lami's_theorem
 
Vanadium 50 said:
Considering that this is safety-related, I would hire an actual engineer
Agreed. Please try to find a competent local person who can help you with this. And be sure to let your homeowner's insurance company know about the new toy and who-all will be using it. They may have some suggestions about how to make it as safe as possible. Keep in mind that entertainment companies who operate Zip Lines carry liability insurance.
 

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