How to build a backyard tow rope - homemade Ski lift that works great! DIY

[@arlenboys]

I’m a 60 year old Ski Patroller from Michigan. I just put Strauss House Mtn on my bucket list. Super cool!

[@strauss_house]

60 or 6 seems everyone have enjoyed this! thanks James

[@ronbmills]

This is brilliant.

[@Trialnerror]

I feel like my channel may have inspired a bit of this build lol. Nice job man.

[@nolanmutch3723]

Would you be able to provide more information about the electrical wiring for this? Either a video or diagrams? It would be much appreciated as I am far from an electrician. Thanks! Love the video!

[@strauss_house]

yes I could come up with something

[@Sebastian-Florin]

@@strauss_house 05.02.2021

[@ikutiap5923]

@@Sebastian-Florin 22

[@danielculver5942]

@Strauss House do you know what trailer hub setup you ended up using? I’m about halfway through my build

[@strauss_house]

Posting a new part two video today, more explanation, I dont have a schematic

[@nick_wya8301]

In the future a mini terrain park would be really cool

[@strauss_house]

agreed! in the works for the future, check out our part 2 video on our page

[@wattsr5922]

I am 63 years old and saw this after watching your ski groomer video. When I was a kid, they had one of these in Fraserdale, Ont. the place where I lived because my dad worked at the power dam. Pretty cool. Great job. You son reminds me of myself bombing the hill.

[@strauss_house]

I am 40 now and we learned on tow ropes, glad my kids' are now getting the same experience. I would always go look in the tow rope "hut" on teh hill as a kid and see a lot of designs with rubber tires and pulleys at work, seemed simple

[@floorticket]

Nice work. Now you need some gates, or cones for a little slalom course.

[@slavapal00za]

Nicely done!!

[@jgpudlum8899]

Beautiful

[@WJCTechyman]

I couldn't watch any further without commenting on your garage. It's quite nice with the poured resin floor and living area. I know it seems odd for the focus of the video, but resin floors are pretty cool. Our little theatre company installed one in the auditorium and, though with a dry mop or wet mop, it's a pain to clean but looks better than the old concrete floor.

[@strauss_house]

Thanks 👍

[@EvanTheElectrician1]

awesome they need one of thees at potato hill or like 50

[@oby-1607]

Wow. Best DIY tow rope yet. Chair lift soon?

[@jackvillan5151]

I’m thoroughly impressed

[@ryanhairplaneadventures3743]

That looks like a lot of fun!

[@petesaber4924]

It's beautiful

[@Josefppaz]

Another great Canadian mind 👍👍

[@RaidifyLifts]

@STRAUSS HOUSE I think it would be a good idea to build wooden/metal towers. I think it would help getting the rope on the return side up and out of the way so it doesn’t interfere with the skiers. That’s my only recommendation but overall, great design!

[@strauss_house]

hey, yes you could put the towers in a few ways to do it. I will put up part two of the video today stay tuned

[@BackyardShredder]

Well this is awesome 👏

[@ValtonSelmani]

great work

[@salixa5217]

So rad !

[@LaidBackGolf]

kids, if your parents do this for you or allow you to do this.. be appreciative. go give them a high five and a thank you. very fortunate.. or if you did it all on your own, be proud of yourself and go buy some good ice cream for yourself

[@derekharper7868]

very cool

[@todds5956]

How long is your hill? Size of rope? Very cool

[@peterp.3530]

Fantastic cheap fun for children ...

[@stevenmayo9636]

PERFECT!! Any chance you'll share your design?

[@strauss_house]

For sure what are you looking for? motor is actually a 2hp. motor Part #F56HC2S4C, it can be wired 120 or 230v just went out and checked, it's actually a 2hp motor F56 frame. 12" long. Princess auto - i suggest you use a 18" dia pulley minimum. with the smallest pinion pulley you can get. Still quite fast, but great for our large hill.

[@nwheeler1414]

Beauty build! Where did you find your leading pulley before the drive wheel?

[@caine-chow]

Would you change anything on your design? Is the rope staying on? Great job btw

[@strauss_house]

Check out our video "PART 2" on our channel, I would go with a Chain drive that way belt would never slip or have to be tightened every year

[@johnmicalizzi126]

That's awesome

[@dynamite6507]

Lol what's next? You should build a terrain park out of dirt jumps maybe rail then it would be sick. I'm sure the neighbors kids jelly

[@TheOccasionals]

How much you want for it;)? How much would you charge me to make me one ? Awesome job !!! Thanks

[@strauss_house]

If I had more time I would build these. just materials i'm into it for about 1400

[@TheOccasionals]

Thanks you did a great job on the project

[@taddking3462]

Great build. I was trying to figure out what size pulley’s you used on the motor and on the tire end?

[@strauss_house]

Had a 12" but that was to small i believe it's now a 14" or 15" diameter

[@vrivas2186]

Very nice! What size tire and rim did you use?

[@smiths2404]

Nice build. Think this would pull up a steeper hill ok? Any way of getting rope off the ground? Or does it not wear much? Thanks.

[@strauss_house]

ABSOLUTLY, it can pull up a steep hill, just not as many people at a time

[@vvdd903]

is there a safety shut off in case some one run to the rope pulley?

[@strauss_house]

Yes its in the video, or check out the part two video on our channel

[@Hugo-xc5sg]

Hi. Greetings from UK. Amazing job. Keen to build this any chance of the those simple plans you drew up and the electrical info? Thanks

[@strauss_house]

HOPE TO PUT MORE INFO UP THIS YEAR, HAVE DONE ALOT OF MODIFICTIONS. ELECTRICAL, CONVERTED TO 230 VOLT

[@geoffmoorcroft302]

I'm going to build something similar for my uncle. My uncle's house is at the bottom of a big hill. Would this work if the unit was at the bottom of the hill? I think it will but he is determined to run power to the top of the hill and it run like what you have.

[@strauss_house]

Honestly i am not to sure, I dont see why not the slack in the rope might be an issue. Check out part to i am uploading it today

[@LarsAnding]

Wow, amzing video. By far the easiest and best design I've seen. I am looking to upgrade my current system, which is a 1/4 HP geared down to 60 rpm with a pully attached directly onto the axle. It works, but I would like a little more power. Also do you know at about what speed and what weight yours pulls? Awesome project!

[@LarsAnding]

I think I found the motor, but this one says it doesn't run on 120. Can you verify? www.princessauto.com/en/detail/3-hp-totally-enclosed-fan-cooled-electric-motor/A-p8601668e#

[@strauss_house]

Hi Lars thanks, yes works great and fairly simple to build. here is the model # off the motor F56HC2S4C, it can be wired 120 or 230v just went out and checked, it's actually a 2hp motor F56 frame. 12" long. Princess auto

[@LarsAnding]

@@strauss_house Thank you very much. I really appreciate it.

[@strauss_house]

Lars, how is your build coming along?

[@LarsAnding]

@@strauss_house Well, I finished running electric cable to the hill. I have not yet constructed the rope tow, but plan to do so soon before snowfall this year.

[@RideandShape]

My dream

[@TheBlockBuddy]

Nice work! I saw it pull 3 kids at once. I have a big hill so it will be fun to see how far it could go with 2 hp (I have a motor). That yours goes quickly is cool, slow it down and it could pull more. Tell be about the drive tire/ wheel/ spindle and stub axle please. Tireless casters, eh? Again, nice work. Would you make any changes? Thanks, Bobby

[@strauss_house]

yes it works great for kids, 2 hp 1700 rpm motor, the 3600 is to fast. I am upgrading to a 5 hp so it can pull more adults at the same time, I would suggest at least 3 hp for a bigger or large hill. the 2 hp just barley pulls one 180 lb adult up

[@marie-evesicotte6805]

Very nicely done. We did a very similar model at home, but I'm having issues with the rope sliding on the tire in snowy conditions. Worked great all weekend in very cold and dry weather, but today in the snow, the rope kept sliding and loosing all traction. did you have issues with that?

[@strauss_house]

Hello, yes we did, I will be putting the part two video up today with more details

[@kickingduckz6805]

What are the pulley sizes?

[@mikeraisanen53]

I noticed you said you used a 3/4" rope. Any chance you could be a bit more specific? Polypropylene? Solid braid? etc. Thank you.

[@strauss_house]

Hey sorry for the delay, 3/4" Polypro rope. 3 strand purchased from ULINE

[@mikeraisanen53]

@@strauss_house appreciate it. Thanks for the reply. Waiting for snow.

[@kevinbednarz8732]

What size pulleys did you use for motor and tire?

[@strauss_house]

Kevin, Check out "Part Two" we talk about the pulleys

[@WJCTechyman]

After watching through the whole video, it's pretty slick. Nice job, I especially like the electrical. Do you have a system that keeps it from running backwards when the safety fence trips or there's a power outage?

[@strauss_house]

there is more than enough motor drag that it will not run backwards, even with adults

[@brianstolz3736]

just wondering what size is your tubular stock ? Appears to be about 1X3 ? also you commented that you would upsize to a larger HP motor. From what little searching I did motors greater than 2 HP also have higher RPMs requiring a greater gear reduction to keep rope speed manageable. Do you have a recommendation on a higher HP >2 HP that is around 1800 RPMs as well? Otherwise nice job!! Trying to get the grandson into boarding and his back yard is perfect for this - thanks for sharing

[@strauss_house]

Brian, 2 hp and 3 hp come in 1785 rpm motors, you are correct the 5 hp is over 3000 rpm. to fast would need a gear box etc reduction.

[@apwagner6296]

Where did you get your big pulley

[@strausshouse1]

Princess Auto, I believe some Peavy Marts also have them. Get the largest one you can get or I would have used a chain drive to prevent slipping if I built another one. Mark

[@RaidifyLifts]

what motor did u use?

[@thomasaunvik6833]

What's the speed on this one?

[@beauminnick4960]

Awesome work, thanks for the video. I'm building one for my kids, I noticed in the first assembled view the belt pulley was smaller than the tire, and later in the video, the pulley was about the same diameter of the tire. Did you solve some gearing/speed concerns that you might be willing to share?

[@strauss_house]

I am uploading part two of the video today gives a better explanation

[@strauss_house]

Yes upgraded to a larger pulley 12" was to small

[@beauminnick8531]

Sorry to bug and thanks for your previous reply. I built mine, loosely modeled after yours but am still having trouble. It is chain driven, 11 tooth on motor to 21 tooth on Jack shaft. 10 tooth on Jack shaft to 40 tooth on driven axle. Still not enough power to pull. I have a 3 horse 3450 rpm motor. Just curious about your rope size and length. (I’m trying to pull 1” rope, 600’ of total length. 300’ of towing)

[@strauss_house]

@@beauminnick8531 ok that is not good, your 1st issue is the 3450 rpm motor, that is the incorrect one, you will need a 1725 RPM model. Even the 1725 motor I am running 2" pully on the motor shaft and 16" pully on the tire, with that reduction it's still almost to fast, 3450 will be way to fast and no torque to start up etc.

[@stuntbrosactionsports6133]

How fast is the rope speed?

[@strauss_house]

not exactly sure, but we would not want it any faster

[@K4orest]

Great build. Inspired me to get on my own. Have you made any mods on the lift since this video? #berta

[@strauss_house]

Jason, yes a few key improvements check out part 2 of the video on our channel

[@kylemiller6371]

Maybe you mentioned it somewhere but I was wondering what size rope did you use?

[@strauss_house]

3/4"

[@kylemiller6371]

10 4 I'm in the planning stages myself and was thinking 3/4 to 1 inch.

[@robertneighbors4091]

Cannot tell how many HP motor in the VIDEO, worn off number, looks like a 2HP ?

[@strauss_house]

Correct it is a 2 hp motor. works with small hills, but I am putting a 5hp to pull more adults' up. currently it will only pull one 180 lb adult

[@outdoorseveryonceandawhile8236]

How much did this all cost

[@strauss_house]

I'm into it for $1200

[@rykibbs]

The cleanliness of this build blows my mind. Such an inspiration. I love the portability of this system and the use of the hay bales to anchor each end is ingenious. Bravo.

[@morninboy]

all that land beautiful exposure and it's not a solar home

[@strauss_house]

This is Alberta, Canada- Oil and Gas Industry keeps our jobs up here, not to mention it's dark most of the day in the 6 months of our winter. solar is not very effective unless it's summer.

[@morninboy]

@@strauss_house I'm in northern BC and have been building passive solar for 40 years. IT WORKS UP HERE AND OILBERTA GETS MORE SUN

[@strauss_house]

@@morninboy perfect! when can you come and how much to install a turn key solar system at my place?

[@morninboy]

@@strauss_house I design and build passive solar. It is in the architecture. The fundamentals have been used in buildings for 2,400 years. Building my last retirement one in the Kootenay's right now

[@chrism2004]

What state do you live in where you can get this much land?

[@strauss_house]

Alberta, Canada

[@laceywiersma9669]

Where do you purchase your flush mount tensioner pullies?

[@strauss_house]

Pullies are actually pneumatic rubber wheel casters with the tire removed, all from Princess Auto

[@Kstone1603]

How many feet that rope and size 1/4 or 1/2 or 1’

[@strauss_house]

3/4" 600'

[@kylemiller6371]

How did you splice your rope?

[@strauss_house]

Search you tube 3 strand rope splice. here is a good one kzbin.info/www/bejne/hneplnd-Z9pqe5I

[@kylemiller6371]

Thanks

[@TheMegadeth350]

But you need a mountain first

[@massprankstv324]

The music tho

[@danjacobsen7645]

I’m amazed that someone could watch this and only make a negative comment about the music. Get a life. What this father did for his kids is fantastic!

[@rallymax2]

I would have enjoyed the build but the music was super annoying.

[@premiumroach495]

2:26 SUS!!1!1!1

[@larry5039]

Nice video, annoying music had to mute

[@ericksonjustinAK]

Meh. I made my kids a carnival ride. Involves mostly my knee.

[@ericksonjustinAK]

Kidding aside, I love this. I've been wanting to do this for awhile but don't know how to weld. I've got a tiny backyard compared to this, but it still has a slope and a small rope tow I'm hopeful would motivate the kids to go outside. What really gets ME motivated is that we've got public use cabins all over near mountains. Thought it would be loads of fun to snowmachine something like this in and run it off of a generator and make it a whole weekend get away. I like the idea of electric because in town it's quite and out of town a honda generator is still quieter than a briggs and stratton thing. But I'm a dreamer and haven't learned how to weld yet, so I'm probably just dreaming. Thanks for living it. You also have an awesome piece of property and I especially like your garage. Well done.

[@strauss_house]

Thanks Justin! Anyone can weld, buy a small arc welder and youtube has some great welding instructional video's

[@bizim_eller]

Only in a murica🤣🤣

[@threeisme123]

It’s Canada lmao

[@calholli]

First kid to get his glove caught in the rope and gets sucked into that tire and gets his arm mangled, is really not going to have a good day. You should be thinking about a shutoff switch.............. Put it like where those pvc pipes are--- so that if it is sucking you into the tire, it will shut down when you hit the safety switch.

[@strauss_house]

Dude, did you watch the video? there is a cut off switch in front, the rope in front of the whole lift, if a kid comes anywhere near it trips the cut off switch.

[@calholli]

@@strauss_house I watched it again-- you did mention a switch, but you never did show it and how it worked-- that's why I missed it. Good deal.

[@strauss_house]

@@calholli all good, yes the rope in front is the kill switch.

[@outdoorseveryonceandawhile8236]

How many volts is the Moter and what moter is it

[@strauss_house]

120 volt, or 230 single phase. actually 2hp vs. the video says 3hp. motor Part #F56HC2S4C, it can be wired 120 or 230v just went out and checked, 2hp. F56 frame. 12" long. Princess auto - I suggest you use a 18" dia pulley minimum. with the smallest pinion pulley you can get. Still quite fast, but great for our large hill.

[@ikutiap5923]

my mother has 110 Volts in her house