Backyard DIY Ski Hill Tow Rope - Part 2 - Rebuild and Improvements

[@BTodd-j9b]

Hey there David, Thanks for the great 2 videos of your backyard tow rope, I am just now finishing up mine for our ski tow. I did put the whole design in my cad system, plus I used 2x6 boards also . Also I am using 2 hubs one for each wheel. Have a few more things coming in , once I am finished I will send you a few pictures of mine. Once again thanks for sharing and giving us some great ideas..

[@ballhammerindustries]

That's awesome, I'd love to see yours when it's finished! Thanks for watching!

[@conlantrenholm]

This was such an interesting project to watch 👍

[@ballhammerindustries]

Thanks for watching!

[@racingrobert1]

Thank you for posting this Im making kinda the same thing ...where did toy buy the sprocket on the motor drive shaft

[@ballhammerindustries]

Thanks for watching! I bought almost everything, including the sprockets, on Amazon.

[@myyfaatcaat]

Hey David, Thanks for this great 2 part video series, it's been instrumental in the design and now construction steps of my own similar rig. I've got most of the parts, equipment, rope, motor, and lumber so far but I've yet to start cutting and assembling anything together. The One part I'm unsure of is what hardware to buy and how I should drill the holes for the bolts. Can you provide me any guidance on what drill bit/what size/length bolts I should be using for holding stuff together. Was also wondering if I needed to use bolts for structural reasons or if I could use standard construction screws instead? I've got most of the tools but none of the confidence in what I'm doing. Still prepared to have to make design changes down the road like your part 2 here. Thanks in advance!

[@ballhammerindustries]

I used galvanized bolts to make sure everything was as solid as it could be. I bought them in packages from Menards, but Home Depot or Lowe's probably has them too, Menards was the cheapest. I used galvanized since I've seen the cheap zinc coated bolts (even grade 8) start to corrode within a year when used in high-moisture environments in treated wood. Most of the construction was using 3/8" bolts, they seem to have the best balance between clamping force and cost, I've snapped many 5/16" bolts but 3/8" will pull itself into the wood without snapping, just use a 3/8" drill bit for 3/8" bolts, lengths of bolts will vary depending on which portion you're bolting, I took several trips to find the right lengths for various parts. You could probably get away with construction screws but there is a lot more torque running through this system than you'd think, when using wood, my suggestion would be to stick with bolting it together, it's worked great for me. Good luck with the build and don't hesitate to ask any more questions!

[@funibro]

Hey David, awesome video! Attempting to build one right now! Thank you for the parts list. Can you let me know what size sprockets you used. Some of the links no longer work in your description. What size did you use for those two larger white sprockets, I think one was 72t? (not the tension sprocket). Also, if you can provide the info on the smaller axle. The 36 inch link worked. Such a cool project and the kids (and me) will love it!

[@ballhammerindustries]

The two larger sprockets are both 72t, the small sprocket on the jackshaft is 15t, and the small sprocket on the engine is 11t. I basically found the largest and smallest sprockets I could find to gear it down the most I could. If you can't find those specifically don't sweat it, even at idle this seems like it could pull an elephant out of the mud and there is plenty of RPM to go if you wanted to run it faster, so I feel like if you get the gearing even close in either direction to what I have, you will be fine. I used one single 36" axle shaft and cut it in half. Good luck with the build, it's a lot of fun!

[@funibro]

Hey David, one more quick question. We are building it now. Just starting. I know it's not critical but do you happen to know the length and with of the construction?

[@ballhammerindustries]

@@funibro Yes it’s 32” x 48” and about 45” tall

[@funibro]

@@ballhammerindustries thank you! we got most of it done last night. I will take a picture and send it when I get a chance. Perhaps once it's an action.

[@ballhammerindustries]

@@funibro awesome! I’d love to see it!

[@revvedupoutdoor]

how do i connect the 72t gears to the axel

[@ballhammerindustries]

The sprocket connects to a hub (4 bolt pattern) that has the same size bore as the axle. Hope this helps!