In this video I go over my homemade back yard ski hill tow rope. Check out my channel for a Part 2 video where I improve this, and where you can also find a parts list!
This is a great setup! Nothing too expensive, all the parts are easy to find. Thanks for sharing it with us. I can’t believe no one has commented on this yet.
Thanks Michael! I recently just enabled comments on the video. It was fun to build and works great, I got all the parts from either Amazon, Menards, or Harbor Freight, minus the rope, but that can be purchased on Amazon as well. Thanks!
My original thought in my head was to build this out of steel and have it hitch mounted, but I decided on this design instead. You could probably adapt this design to be mounted in the bed of a pickup truck, a portable one would be awesome! One thing to keep in mind, you will need a strong anchor point at the bottom to keep the tension, if you can anchor off on a tree that would be ideal. Good luck!
Awesome job. I use a lawnmower to power mine now, 300’ run. 600’ of rope. I’ve been in the process of building a new setup using a 212, I’m gonna put a clutch on mine. Kids race 120 snowmobiles so we have a lot of sprockets and clutches lying around lol. I definitely took some tips from your video!
Let me know how it works! I was debating on a clutch for this but decided just to try it without and it worked fine, with it being geared down so much the rope drag doesn't really effect it that much, it has plenty of power to pull an empty rope at idle, BUT you have to make sure the rope isn't frozen to the ground when you start it! I currently have this in the garage getting some upgrades and will be putting out another video on it soon. Thanks for watching!
@@ballhammerindustries yes it does I geared it down 2x like you but I could only get a hold of 1 72 tooth sprocket so the second drive is 60t and when I make the engine go full speed it’s so fast it goes up 150 ft in 12 seconds
Thanks! Since the motor is so easy to remove, I just unbolt the 4 bolts and keep the motor in the garage over the summer to keep it out of the elements, but you're right, a nice cover would help it last a little longer
Impressive! I am setting up a backyard mini-ski resort as well. I have a lot steeper slope though and am trying to decide on the motor. How much throttle, or preferably RPM if you know it, do you typically run it at? Specs on the 212 cc predator engine are 1800 rpm idle and 3800 rpm max. If you are running it at idle then I think it'll work for me. If running it at significantly more than idle then I may need to size up the engine ... maybe.
Thanks! I run the engine at around 2900RPM which has more to do with rope speed, it has enough power to run at a lower RPM, even at idle, but the rope speed is slower than I would like. One thing you might run into with a steeper slope is gripping the rope with your hands, I noticed on the steepest part it was harder to hold on the steeper it gets, a bigger diameter rope would likely help. Good luck!
I've had a lot of people ask so I'm currently working on another video about this contraption and I will release a parts list and a blueprint at that time! Thank you for watching!
Really neat set up! Im curious how you connected the trailer tires to be driven by your live axel (1in shaft). I see you have some couplers there @2:19. Is there a shaft that comes out of the tires as well? What type of tires did you use? Thanks for sharing your Tow rope.
Hi Chad, the tires are standard 4.80x8 with a 4 lug rim, to connect it to the shaft I used a go kart axle hub with a 1” bore and 4 lug flange, I punched out the studs that came in it and ran 6” bolts through the hub and both the rims to sandwhich them all together. Hopefully this makes sense. Thanks!
Hey Rick, the sprocket on the engine is an 11Tooth and goes to a 72T on the jack shaft, the small sprocket on the jack shaft is 15T and that goes to another 72T on the final drive axle, all #35 chain. Thanks for watching!
I love this setup and thinking of doing the exact same thing, I have one question tho, is the motor loud bc I have neighbors and k like to snowboard in later times so I was wondering about how loud it is when you run the engine!!
Thanks for the comment! It’s volume is about like a push lawn mower, so not terribly loud but I wouldn’t consider it quiet. I haven’t tried it but I’ve heard of people putting a generator muffler on these engines to make them quieter; www.amazon.com/Frustration-Gasoline-Generator-Universal-Accessories/dp/B0BG1PZ82X/ref=mp_s_a_1_14_sspa?crid=3PGDEBSH2HV0G&keywords=predator+generator+muffler&qid=1672372737&sprefix=predator+generator+muffler%2Caps%2C107&sr=8-14-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExUkgyTzk1RDZQQlU3JmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMzg3Njc4M1A3WlM5MVlXWDZNSSZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwOTY3NTM1MzgzU0lKUzhTSVBONSZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX3Bob25lX3NlYXJjaF9tdGYmYWN0aW9uPWNsaWNrUmVkaXJlY3QmZG9Ob3RMb2dDbGljaz10cnVl
Hi Geoff, the sprocket on the engine has 11 teeth, the jack shaft has a 72 tooth and a 15 tooth, and the drive shaft has another 72 tooth. The tires are 4.80x8 small trailer tires
It was a fun build, you will enjoy it. The total cost was around $1,000.00, I think the single biggest expense was the high quality rope, but definitely worth it to not have to worry about inferior rope. Thanks for watching!
This is a great setup! Nothing too expensive, all the parts are easy to find. Thanks for sharing it with us. I can’t believe no one has commented on this yet.
Thanks Michael! I recently just enabled comments on the video. It was fun to build and works great, I got all the parts from either Amazon, Menards, or Harbor Freight, minus the rope, but that can be purchased on Amazon as well. Thanks!
This is a great set up going to be building one this fall!
Good luck with the build!
Cool project!
Thanks!
Nicely done
Thank you!
I’m hoping to build a portable one for sledding soon this is so ingenious and has been given me great ideas. Also cute golden doodle have one too
My original thought in my head was to build this out of steel and have it hitch mounted, but I decided on this design instead. You could probably adapt this design to be mounted in the bed of a pickup truck, a portable one would be awesome! One thing to keep in mind, you will need a strong anchor point at the bottom to keep the tension, if you can anchor off on a tree that would be ideal. Good luck!
@@ballhammerindustries thanks 👍
Awesome job. I use a lawnmower to power mine now, 300’ run. 600’ of rope. I’ve been in the process of building a new setup using a 212, I’m gonna put a clutch on mine. Kids race 120 snowmobiles so we have a lot of sprockets and clutches lying around lol. I definitely took some tips from your video!
Let me know how it works! I was debating on a clutch for this but decided just to try it without and it worked fine, with it being geared down so much the rope drag doesn't really effect it that much, it has plenty of power to pull an empty rope at idle, BUT you have to make sure the rope isn't frozen to the ground when you start it! I currently have this in the garage getting some upgrades and will be putting out another video on it soon. Thanks for watching!
What’s your plan for upgrades? Curious before I start lol
Great video! I was inspired by your design and made a similar version myself. Thanks
Thanks! I hope yours works as well as this one does!
@@ballhammerindustries yes it does I geared it down 2x like you but I could only get a hold of 1 72 tooth sprocket so the second drive is 60t and when I make the engine go full speed it’s so fast it goes up 150 ft in 12 seconds
@@mtbmagnus9241 I did the same thing myself. 60 tooth!!!
Great setup! You should build a cover for your motor because after a few years it will leak water
Thanks! Since the motor is so easy to remove, I just unbolt the 4 bolts and keep the motor in the garage over the summer to keep it out of the elements, but you're right, a nice cover would help it last a little longer
Impressive! I am setting up a backyard mini-ski resort as well. I have a lot steeper slope though and am trying to decide on the motor. How much throttle, or preferably RPM if you know it, do you typically run it at? Specs on the 212 cc predator engine are 1800 rpm idle and 3800 rpm max. If you are running it at idle then I think it'll work for me. If running it at significantly more than idle then I may need to size up the engine ... maybe.
Thanks! I run the engine at around 2900RPM which has more to do with rope speed, it has enough power to run at a lower RPM, even at idle, but the rope speed is slower than I would like. One thing you might run into with a steeper slope is gripping the rope with your hands, I noticed on the steepest part it was harder to hold on the steeper it gets, a bigger diameter rope would likely help. Good luck!
hay I love your design where did you get the sprocket and chain from and the black pully
Hi Zane, I purchased the chain and sprockets on Amazon
I’m looking to build the exact thing so you have a parts list and blue print?
I also would appreciate this!
I've had a lot of people ask so I'm currently working on another video about this contraption and I will release a parts list and a blueprint at that time! Thank you for watching!
I added a parts list in the description of the second video!
ruclips.net/video/2qEf04CjJUY/видео.html
Really neat set up! Im curious how you connected the trailer tires to be driven by your live axel (1in shaft). I see you have some couplers there @2:19. Is there a shaft that comes out of the tires as well? What type of tires did you use?
Thanks for sharing your Tow rope.
Hi Chad, the tires are standard 4.80x8 with a 4 lug rim, to connect it to the shaft I used a go kart axle hub with a 1” bore and 4 lug flange, I punched out the studs that came in it and ran 6” bolts through the hub and both the rims to sandwhich them all together. Hopefully this makes sense. Thanks!
@@ballhammerindustries Thanks again. This is a great idea!
Awesome project! I have the same size engine so I'm wondering what size gears you've used?
Hey Rick, the sprocket on the engine is an 11Tooth and goes to a 72T on the jack shaft, the small sprocket on the jack shaft is 15T and that goes to another 72T on the final drive axle, all #35 chain. Thanks for watching!
I love this setup and thinking of doing the exact same thing, I have one question tho, is the motor loud bc I have neighbors and k like to snowboard in later times so I was wondering about how loud it is when you run the engine!!
Thanks for the comment! It’s volume is about like a push lawn mower, so not terribly loud but I wouldn’t consider it quiet. I haven’t tried it but I’ve heard of people putting a generator muffler on these engines to make them quieter; www.amazon.com/Frustration-Gasoline-Generator-Universal-Accessories/dp/B0BG1PZ82X/ref=mp_s_a_1_14_sspa?crid=3PGDEBSH2HV0G&keywords=predator+generator+muffler&qid=1672372737&sprefix=predator+generator+muffler%2Caps%2C107&sr=8-14-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExUkgyTzk1RDZQQlU3JmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMzg3Njc4M1A3WlM5MVlXWDZNSSZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwOTY3NTM1MzgzU0lKUzhTSVBONSZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX3Bob25lX3NlYXJjaF9tdGYmYWN0aW9uPWNsaWNrUmVkaXJlY3QmZG9Ob3RMb2dDbGljaz10cnVl
You might want to look into an electric motor if noise is an issue
I added a quieter muffler, check it out in the second video!
ruclips.net/video/2qEf04CjJUY/видео.html
Where did you buy the large gear for your torque converters
I bought everything from Amazon
What's the size of sprockets your using and size of tires?
Hi Geoff, the sprocket on the engine has 11 teeth, the jack shaft has a 72 tooth and a 15 tooth, and the drive shaft has another 72 tooth. The tires are 4.80x8 small trailer tires
How much does this cost to run for like an hour? Thinking of building one
It doesn't use much gas, I highly doubt it would burn through a gallon in 1 hour, so only a few dollars per hour to run.
what is the max load that it can take at one time?
I'm not too sure, but I've had 3 people at a time being pulled up by it, it has a lot of power
Do you have parts list of what you used, and where you got the parts from?
Yes I do! It's in the description of the second video. Thanks!
ruclips.net/video/2qEf04CjJUY/видео.html
Do you have a parts list of what and from where?
Yes I do! It's in the description of the second video. Thanks!
ruclips.net/video/2qEf04CjJUY/видео.html
Approximately how much was the total cost of this setup? I’m definitely making one, someday
It was a fun build, you will enjoy it. The total cost was around $1,000.00, I think the single biggest expense was the high quality rope, but definitely worth it to not have to worry about inferior rope. Thanks for watching!
you take consulting calls? trying to install
Send me a DM on Instagram Ballhammerindustries
do you have links to those gears and shaft?
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002H331Y/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01KANRJ7S/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002KTTHG2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0026GUGSM/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s02?ie=UTF8&psc=1
@@ballhammerindustries thank you👍
Sick video! Can you give me the name of the rope?
Thanks! The name of the rope is Pacific Blue Steel from Continental Western Corp
Man that’s really slick! You might want to throw a patent on that baby….just saying
I wouldn't mind collecting on my idea! But at the end of the day it feels good to spread my ideas and help other people build things like this