Ghetto Tow Rope Rigs?

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Ridiculous

So I have came up with this idea that a tow rope in my local hills park would be pretty rad, and most of you fellow newschoolers would agree that hiking the park sucks compared to being towed up! My high tech engineering skills have came up with an out to lunch theory that it may be possible to use a lawnmower engine with a large enough pulley on the bottom so that a rope could hook in to make a tow rope for a park. Now it would take one heck of a lot more planning than that but its a start at least. It also leaves the question whether to use a gas or electric engine? What size engine/rope? What will it cost to run? Or will it even run!?

I'm pretty much open to any thoughts or comments on this idea, seems like something that would improve our ski area and why not give it a shot.

Cheers,

Mitch

Aug 29 2013 1:28AM

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KEVTRON

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will a lawn mower engine be able to tow someone?

Aug 29 2013 1:34AM

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LoathesRaisins

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You'd be better off pulling the person.

Aug 29 2013 1:36AM

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J_MAC

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absolutely 100% gas engine required. A lawn mower engine will only be enough to pull 1 singular person up a hill, youl need something a bit bigger (boat, tractor, maybe riding mower)

Aug 29 2013 1:50AM

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TACO-DOG.exe

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Crazy Fool

yes.

Aug 29 2013 2:00AM

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Pikachu.

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Insane

if your going with the machinery idea: my friend always had the idea of getting a dirtbike and using it in the summer, but in the winter, set up some kind of back wheel thing that works like a tow rope. It would be strong and could pull people and also could be used as a motobike in the summer!

Aug 29 2013 2:02AM

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Troy.

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So.... a winch?

Aug 29 2013 2:55AM

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Deezy

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Go to a junkyard and tell them what you want to do. they might laugh or they'll point you in the right direction. buy this engine and mount it in a easily transportable frame, attach the rope to the drive shaft and have yourself a grand time. I honestly have no idea how to build one but that is what i would do.
and go with a petrol engine
This actually sounds super fun to build. My buddy and I might partner up for this years design project and build a winch as our final project. (Both studying engineering, both skiers, im studying mechanical)

Aug 29 2013 3:35AM

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UphillIce

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Pro

This has always been a dream of mine, but not for a park. I've got a bunch of ridges near where I grew up that are steep and would be fun to hit. But they're too short to make it worth the trouble to put on your skins and long enough that they're a pain to boot up. With a little tow rope you wouldn't be clicking out all the time and could do a bunch of laps in a short time so it would make the little drop worth it.

Aug 29 2013 12:08PM

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~bagelz~

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supposedly my grandpa and his friends took a pick up truck and used it to power a tow on a hill back in the day when they didnt have as many ski resorts

Aug 29 2013 5:02PM

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cowofawesome

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Loner

That's not ever, ever, ever, ever a question.

Aug 29 2013 5:52PM

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ThundaKilla

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read this

http://www.sbcskier.com/features_article?news_id=836

Aug 29 2013 6:09PM

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HANNERTALL_420

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fuck the bunny hill. move the park to the longer handle tow

Sep 1 2013 9:20PM

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rockersteez

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That seems like a liability nightmare. If somebody somehow get's hurt on the lift and you build it from a lawnmower? Idk.

As far as will it work, yes. I'll try and link you to this site if it's still up(been 10+ years so who knows) This guy had plans for building snowguns and a rope tow in his backyard as well as some other stuff.

Trying to think of where to even start looking though.

Sep 1 2013 9:25PM

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-WZ-

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sounds like it could work but id assume youd need something a bit bigger. from your recent posts it sounds like you really want to improve your local park! goodluck man +k i hope it all works out

Sep 1 2013 11:09PM

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