Using an Earth Anchor for a Guy Wire

A guy wire is a tensioned cable designed to add stability to a free-standing structure. In this video we will be using a 36” Penetrator from American Earth Anchors to anchor a guy wire that is used for a shade sail application. Guy wires are used in multiple applications from radio masts, utility poles, shade sails and more. One end of the guy is attached to the structure, and the other is anchored to the ground at some distance from the post or mast.
Want to see the full video tutorial on how to make your own shade sails? Click here: • How to Make 3- Sided S...
Need supplies for your next sewing DIY project visit: www.sailrite.com

[@PureBlood42]

"I'm sorry, sir....but we cannot honor the warranty on your Harbor Freight ratchet."

[@1yachtcarpenter]

love it..should have put a link in the description tho..

[@Shotleythinktank]

Car axles might also work. Using a sledgehammer, drive them in at an angle. Faster/cheaper alternative. Twist and pull upward to remove. (We use axles in our sled dog kennel to chain dogs. Never had one pull out.)

[@nsuddeth91]

hahaha thats hilarious. "Thats all it takes", probably took that guy 4 hours to finish racheting that hoss into the ground lol He slept well that night

[@user-et1ww3cc1l]

haha

[@michaelrundle5279]

This video illustrates a common and ofter-overlooked issue when attaching wire rope to anything: specifically the effect of the D/d ratio on the strength of the connection. The D/d ratio is simply the ratio of the diameter (D) around which a wire rope is bent to the diameter (d) of the wire rope itself. Tests have shown that whenever wire rope is bent around a diameter, the strength of the rope is decreased due to bending stress in the wires that make up the rope. The industry standard is to maintain a minimum D/d ratio of 20, and preferrably a D/d ratio of 25 or more. That is, D should be 20 times greater than d, and preferrably 25 times greater than d. These two ratios will deliver at least 90% efficiency; that is, 90% of the catalog strength of the wire rope used to make the connection. Example: using 3/8 in. diameter galvanized aircraft cable (GAC), which is the diameter and type of the short tie-off cable assembly in the video, the diameter of any object placed in the eye of this assembly should be at least 7.5 in. (0.375 x 20 = 7.5). That will achieve 90% of the minimum, typical breaking strength of 3/8 in. GAC, which is 14,400 lbs, or 12,960 lbs. The 36 in. Penetrator in the video has a body diameter of 2 inches, so the D/d ratio is 0.375/2 or 5.3 (2 ÷ 0.375 = 5.3), which delivers a connection efficiency of about 78% or 11,232 lbs. That's probably fine for this application. But wait; what about the other end of the tie-off cable assembly? A 5/16 in. quick link is used to attach the eye of the tie-off cable to the eye of a turnbuckle that is attached to the guy wire. The D/d ratio of this connection is 0.375/0.3125 or 0.83 (0.3125 ÷ 0.375 = 0.83), which delivers a connection efficiency of about 15% or 2160 lbs. Again, that's probably fine for this application, provided wind forces on the shade sails are light. Look closely at the quick link connection to the tie off assembly at 0:28 in the video. Note the very sharp bend in the eye of the eye of the assembly. This connection will likely become the point of failure as the setup ages. Minimize the potential for failure at this point by installing a wire rope thimble in this eye of the tie-off assembly to increase the D/d ration of this connection. Indeed, this is one of the main purposes of wire rope thimbles: to prevent the eye of a wire rope assembly from collapsing under load. More info on D/d ratio here, including the standard D/d ratio chart used in the wire rope and rigging industry: www.unirope.com/products/slings/wire-rope-slings/rigging-guidelines/dd-ratio-and-the-effect-on-sling-capacity/

[@SailriteDIY]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge about the D/d ratio and how it affects the strength of wire rope connections. It's important to consider this factor to ensure the safety and efficiency of any project involving wire ropes.

[@Nestor-512]

Can we use this for mature leaning trees

[@SailriteDIY]

Yes, it should be able to put a lot of tension on a large tree. However, we are not arborist and do not know if this is good or bad for a mature tree. Check with your local arborist, before using.

[@ciawarhater]

@@SailriteDIY Would that anchor hold 2 men doing roof work ?

[@BayViewInteractive]

Went to the site and couldn't find it

[@SailriteDIY]

Here they are: americanearthanchors.com/products/ground-anchors-penetrators/

[@JT_8283]

Yeah I would just let it blow away

[@wadebrewer7212]

Lol

[@charlotteelizabeth7343]

can u say penetrator one more time for me

[@papakid]

LOL

[@daybot9592]

Will it hold my pitbull??

[@SailriteDIY]

without a doubt

[@emilyoaks962]

Now Sailrite, you do know you are not allowed to add a cheater pipe to a ratchet; don't you? In doing so, you not only void any warranty on the ratchet, but you also place yourself in danger; in addition, if you do this on an OSHA or MSHA regulated site, you are in violation of safety regulations.