Buying A Backyard Zip Line

There are several reason that one would want to buy a backyard zip line kit for their kids to play with outside. One of the top reasons that most parents purchase their kids a zip line is so that they will go outside and play in the sunlight more often, instead of constantly sitting inside and rummaging around for food while playing video games all day. When you setup your very own backyard zip line your offer your kids an opportunity to venture outdoors and get some fresh air and sunlight that will keep them emotionally balanced and allow them to communicate more effectively.

The first thing you must decide on is what type of zip line trolley to purchase to attach to your cable. There are many different designs when it comes to trolleys so it's important that you are familiar with the various styles so that you are better equipped to make your purchasing decision when the time comes. A trolley is only as good as it's best parts, so make sure that you are getting one that is manufactured in the USA because all overseas products are not very high quality as some of you may already know. The company ZLP manufacturing makes a hornet trolley that has a built in linch pin which allows you to completely separate the trolley from the zip line cable which is convenient if you have multiple riders, as this allows them to detach the trolley from the cable once they have finished their ride. A lot of zip line owners will have two trolleys for the same zip line, and have another rider ready to go as soon as the first one has finished theirs. This allows the riders to keep using the zip line in a consistent fashion, without ever having to worry about waiting a few minutes for the last person to run back up the hill with the equipment.

Buying a quality harness is the next thing that you must consider when purchasing your very own backyard zip line. A harness is important as it keeps you secured to the cable and allows you to ride down the line with ease, keeping you safe the entire time. Harnesses are especially important for young kids, as they may not be able to hang on to a rope that is attached to a seat. Some people opt to use a seat along with a harness, but we think that this is too much and you should try and decide on one or the other. If you have trouble deciding, simply purchase both and test them out to figure out which one best suits your particular situation and is right for you.

The next thing that you will want to look into when purchasing your very own backyard zip line is safety gear. You really need to make sure that you have this base covered, as this is perhaps the most important thing when it comes to backyard zip lining. If you don't have the proper safety gear then you are just shooting yourself in the foot, as it will make the entire experience worthless. The first piece of safety gear that you should be looking into are helmets. You need to find an OSHA certified helmet to protect the riders heads in case of an accidental fall. There have been some serious injuries over the years from people who have used zip lines without helmets and have ended up having bad accidents. So play it safe and purchase a few helmets, some for adults and some for kids so that you have your safety bases covered.

Finally, you will want to make sure that you have some type of braking system installed on the zip line. Having a brake block is extremely important as it is what will be stopping your riders once they have reached the end of the line. Getting a brake block that is suitable for your particular zip line is important, and this is perhaps the second most important safety feature for your ride besides a helmet. You should test different bungee lengths to determine what is the right length of your brake block cable and do a couple of test runs with a cinderblock to determine if it is operating properly. This will allow you to calibrate the ride before actually jumping on it yourself for the first time.

Overall, buying a backyard zip line can be an extremely fun thing, you just have to make sure that you are following proper safety procedures so that you end up with a long lasting, safe ride for years to come. Your friends and family will thank you later, and they will likely be visiting you more often as now you have a very cool toy to play with in your own backyard. Although, keep in mind that this is not a toy and should be approached with seriousness and caution. But most importantly have fun! Enjoy your backyard zip line and cherish the fact that you have the ability to share these wonderful experiences with your friends and family for years to come.