zip line trolleys

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Zip line trolleys! The one in the first two pics is designed for use with a harness for the little kids and the third is designed for the big kids to drop into the pond from the zip line (it's going to get a buoy so it floats). Plus a vid of the zip line, this was the first run when we dropped into the pond using a trolley just like the first one, and the trolley got stuck on the line, and while getting it unstuck it fell into the pond, where it still sits, so I made these.. Attached ImagesLast edited by fortyonethirty; 07-17-2013 at 06:23 PM.Ian TannerKawasaki KX450 and many other fine tools
Reply:Thats one hell of a zipline. you might want to trim that tree/bush  a bit though lol. Not a fan of the trolly coming off the line when you let go... sounds like an un controlled missle to me. I think you'd be better off adding a 3rd wheel on the bottom to prevent it from jumping off the line, and adding some weight to it to keep it sliding down the line. so it doesn't get stuck in the middle. Either that or set up a retreivel lineso that it can either be pulled back up, or down to the bottom. How long is the total line?There are no problems. There are only solutions. It's your duty to determine the right one.Hobart Handler 210Airco 225 Amp MSM Stinger
Reply:Originally Posted by ThorsHammer... an un controlled missle...
Reply:Yes it does whip up quick. It is also going to come down quick off that first whip. It's also possible that the trolley could rotate on the up stroke and remain on the line and get launched straight down into the water. due to momentum I doubt it would come down straight on the rider. but it's still un controlled so you don't know where it might go. That upward whip could lauch it a hundred yards or more if it's got enough force behind it. Weighting the harness trolly is definately the best option IMO. If you're going to do a retrieval line, you don't want something hanging down that someone could get caught on. Maybe a second trolly with a weight on it to retrieve the other trolley. That's a bit long of a line to have a trailing line or something like that.There are no problems. There are only solutions. It's your duty to determine the right one.Hobart Handler 210Airco 225 Amp MSM Stinger
Reply:Originally Posted by ThorsHammerThat's a bit long of a line to have a trailing line or something like that.
Reply:Zip lines are fun.  It's what's under them that causes the risk.Some kids do not have the hand strength endurance to hold on as long as it takes to get to the end of the ride, and when that happens zip lines can be deadly.  I've personally witnessed a young man who could not hold on and plummeted to the ground, hitting a railroad tie with his face.  I thought he was dead at the time.  Fortunately, I was wrong and the ER folks revived him for an ambulance ride to the hospital.Make sure you know the riders are strong enough to hang twice as long as the ride will take, just to keep something like that from happening...  Some form of wheel configuration that makes the zip line captive will keep it safer and save you having to make another one when you lose it...
Reply:maybe na trolly that remains fixed on the line with a motor and a radio controlled servo. it would freewheel down and drive itself back up. A cheap radio controlled car could supply the servo and motor and radio. Just have to gear it right and make sure the battery is good. I hang around with a bunch of radio control  freaks so this does not sound out of the realm of possibility to me but.........
Reply:I made one as well but it had a guide in it so when it was let go it stayed on the line and did not launch and hit anybody. It has been in use for almost a year now. I used mcmaster weight rated bearings as well.www.tjsperformance.comDynasty 300 DXHTP 240HTP Microcut 380Hyperthem 85JD2 Hyd Bender and HF Hyd Ring Roller all in one =(Frankenbender)Bpt. Mill/DRO4' x 8' CNC Plasma TableInstagram: tjsperformanceYT: TJS Welding and Fabrication
Reply:I still think the best option is to keep it on the line. either with a third wheel or guide. If you keep in on the line, and it's weighted properly it should continue down the zipline so long as the zip line is tight enough. If it belly's out, you'll end up with a stuck trolley. Maybe try sending just the trolley down the line without someone on it to see what it does.Just remember, that whip action will kill momentum. a third wheel to keep it on the line will help keep momentum from dying completely, and help prevent it from flipping on the line causing it to stop completely.There are no problems. There are only solutions. It's your duty to determine the right one.Hobart Handler 210Airco 225 Amp MSM Stinger
Reply:You could always build a trolley just for the retrieval of the trolley that you are riding.   Either make it with magnets or a a hook system so they will mate together when you are close an then use a tether or radio controlled drive system to bring it back to which ever side you want.
Reply:check out this one, might give you an ideahttp://www.ebay.com/itm/Extreme-HEAV...item53e22e954cLincolin Power Wave 450, Lincoln Powermig 255, Lincoln Pro Mig 140, Lincoln Squarewave Tig 275, Miller Big 40 G(with Hobart Hefty suitcase), Thermal Arc 95S and Esab PCM875 in an already full machine shop.
Reply:How far is the line from the ground?  Maybe make a 20ft shepard's hook from a couple pieces of 1" EMT and use this to retrieve the trolly.Or build a 2nd weighted trolley.  Attach a rope long enough to reach the ground.  Mount the 2nd trolley on the downhill side of the 1st. Use the rope to bring both trolleys uphill to the launch point.  Let the 2nd trolley ride down by itself (weight it heavy enough and trim the tree to avoid snags).  Then ride the 1st trolley down.Dynasty200DX w/coolmate1MM210MM VintageESAB miniarc161ltsLincoln AC225Victor O/A, Smith AW1ACutmaster 81IR 2475N7.5FPRage3Jancy USA1019" SBAEAD-200LE
Reply:Well, we tried the uncontrolled first and it worked pretty well. It came down about 15-20 feet further than the rider. And it splashed down while the rider was still under water. It's definitely not what I would call a safe distance, but it was easy to retrieve. We'll try out the other one next time.Ian TannerKawasaki KX450 and many other fine tools
Reply:you only went once? I would have sent down the weighted trolley once at least...There are no problems. There are only solutions. It's your duty to determine the right one.Hobart Handler 210Airco 225 Amp MSM Stinger
Reply:We went down dozens of times, but we never did try the other trolley. It seemed to work fine, so we just went for it.Ian TannerKawasaki KX450 and many other fine tools
Reply:Make a dozen of the second one modified to stay on the line, but be removed easily.  After a dozen passes, retrieve all trolleys from the end of the line and carry them back up to the top.  Simple and safe.My name's not Jim....