There are many different pieces of hardware that are required during your backyard zip line installation. The main thing that you will primarily need is the zip line cable, also referred to by experts in the industry as aircraft cable. This is the rugged, durable cable which gets secured between two trees and will support your ride. It's important to purchase cable which can support the maximum weight of the heaviest rider which will be using the ride. There are many different weights supported, from 150, 250, 350, and even 450 pounds. A lot of people like to purchase cable that is far beyond the weight limits at which they will ever get close to using on it, but this gives them peace of mind. Some people think that when they buy a zip line, it's only something that children will want to use...but they soon change their minds when they see how much fun it can be, but then they can't use it because they didn't buy aircraft cable that supports that amount of weight. This is why it's a good idea to always "buy high" and go for the most heavy duty cable available....we usually recommend the 350 pound cable....because this will be suitable for most kids and adults as well.
Cable Clamps
Cable clamps are another important piece of hardware when it comes to installing your zip line. Cable clamps are secured around the aircraft cable after it is wrapped around the tree. These clamps will secure the cable and make it so it is nice and tight and suitable for riders of all ages. It's important to install these cable clamps in bunches of 3 and the proper installation technique for this particular piece of hardware is to keep the spacing at about 12 inches apart. You always want to install the cable clamp which is furthest away from the base of the tree first. Also, it is a good practice to install the cable clamps with the U shaped piece of the clamp on the dead side of the cable, meaning the side of the cable which does not have the tension on it. Installing cable clamps is fairly an easy process as long as you are equipped with the right knowledge and experience with hand tools is a must. You shouldn't attempt these types of installations if you are a beginner or a novice at these types of things. You will only feel overwhelmed and begin to have self doubts about your skill levels, so it's always a good idea to find someone who is very handy with tools and can handle these types of installations.
Cable Clamps
Cable clamps are another important piece of hardware when it comes to installing your zip line. Cable clamps are secured around the aircraft cable after it is wrapped around the tree. These clamps will secure the cable and make it so it is nice and tight and suitable for riders of all ages. It's important to install these cable clamps in bunches of 3 and the proper installation technique for this particular piece of hardware is to keep the spacing at about 12 inches apart. You always want to install the cable clamp which is furthest away from the base of the tree first. Also, it is a good practice to install the cable clamps with the U shaped piece of the clamp on the dead side of the cable, meaning the side of the cable which does not have the tension on it. Installing cable clamps is fairly an easy process as long as you are equipped with the right knowledge and experience with hand tools is a must. You shouldn't attempt these types of installations if you are a beginner or a novice at these types of things. You will only feel overwhelmed and begin to have self doubts about your skill levels, so it's always a good idea to find someone who is very handy with tools and can handle these types of installations.
Come Along
A come along is another major piece of hardware that we will be using during our zip line installation. A come along is not always necessary, however, and is only recommended on zip line installations of over 150 feet. Anything under that, and it's fairly easy to secure the zip line cable with two people and some cable clamps. But once you get up over the 150 foot mark, things begin to get a bit difficult, and this is where the assistance of a come along can really be of use. The come along is attached to a nylon sling, which gets wrapped around the trunk of the tree. Then, the zip line cable is attached to the come along, and it is wratcheted tight until it reaches the proper tension, then the cable is secured with some cable clamps and the come along is removed. It's important that you secure the zip line cable to the come along properly with a klein haven's grip, to avoid accidents and personal injury from cable slippage or breakage. A come along can be a great tool in your zip line kit arsenal when properly used with care and best practices and safe operating procedures are adhered to.
A come along is another major piece of hardware that we will be using during our zip line installation. A come along is not always necessary, however, and is only recommended on zip line installations of over 150 feet. Anything under that, and it's fairly easy to secure the zip line cable with two people and some cable clamps. But once you get up over the 150 foot mark, things begin to get a bit difficult, and this is where the assistance of a come along can really be of use. The come along is attached to a nylon sling, which gets wrapped around the trunk of the tree. Then, the zip line cable is attached to the come along, and it is wratcheted tight until it reaches the proper tension, then the cable is secured with some cable clamps and the come along is removed. It's important that you secure the zip line cable to the come along properly with a klein haven's grip, to avoid accidents and personal injury from cable slippage or breakage. A come along can be a great tool in your zip line kit arsenal when properly used with care and best practices and safe operating procedures are adhered to.
Turnbuckle
A turnbuckle is installed on the lower end of the zip line, the end opposite the come along and sling. The turnbuckle is hooked up to the zip line cable in it's fully extended state. The zip line cable is then attached to the high tree on the other end and the cable is tightened down with the come along. The cable is then secured to the high tree with cable clamps in rows of three. Once the high end is secured, now it's time to tighten down on the turnbuckle. The turnbuckle is twisted until the zip line cable has reached an ideal tension. Once the installer is satisfied with the zip line installation, the turnbuckle is left as it is at that specific tightness. The turnbuckle remains hooked up to the zip line kit, while the come along and nylon sling are taken down once the initial installation has been completed. Turnbuckles are an integral part of zip line kit installation, and really come in handy in tight spots and short runs under 150' where come alongs aren't necessary, but where getting the cable to a proper tension is required.
A turnbuckle is installed on the lower end of the zip line, the end opposite the come along and sling. The turnbuckle is hooked up to the zip line cable in it's fully extended state. The zip line cable is then attached to the high tree on the other end and the cable is tightened down with the come along. The cable is then secured to the high tree with cable clamps in rows of three. Once the high end is secured, now it's time to tighten down on the turnbuckle. The turnbuckle is twisted until the zip line cable has reached an ideal tension. Once the installer is satisfied with the zip line installation, the turnbuckle is left as it is at that specific tightness. The turnbuckle remains hooked up to the zip line kit, while the come along and nylon sling are taken down once the initial installation has been completed. Turnbuckles are an integral part of zip line kit installation, and really come in handy in tight spots and short runs under 150' where come alongs aren't necessary, but where getting the cable to a proper tension is required.
So that's the basic overview of zip line hardware, and is practically everything you will need to get the zip line up and running in your own backyard or commercial installation. If you have any questions or would like some more advice on a specific install please use the "contact us" tab and we will try to help you out in any way that we possibly can. We love to see pictures of other people's installs and try to help them figure out zip lines when they are trying to hook them up in tight spots or on savage downhill terrain. There are so many different and unique situations that you can run into when you are involved in this hobby, and it's important to have some other people who you can go to who can relate to exactly what you are saying. That's why we're here, and we love what we do and want to share our experiences with other people in the hopes that they will want to return the favor and share
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