Outdoor Living & Lifestyles - How to balance little tikes tree swing
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rubysasha
06-01-07, 11:56 AM
Help! My husband and I bought a little tykes infant to toddler swing and have installed it on a tree in our yard. The problem is the thing is twisting uncontrollably.
The tree its on has a large branch that curves upwards, my husband used steel fasteneres and inserted them into the underside of the brand. At first, we hung the swing (the first time it was the swing-n-slide brand) from sturdy rope, and it was twisting. Then, we bought chain and used that to hang it from. Then, we decided it was probably the properties of the yellow rope that is actually part of the swing, so we returned it to Lowes. Then, we went to toys r us and bought the little tikes brand swing and hung that up, we tried altering the placement of the swing's hooks in the hanging chain, and nothing has worked.
here's the link to the swing we bought: http://www.littletikes.com/toys/toys-detail.aspx?Product_ID=2312&Ne=1&N=26+129
Is there a way to stabilize/level a swing from a curved tree branch?
Help!
The tree its on has a large branch that curves upwards, my husband used steel fasteneres and inserted them into the underside of the brand. At first, we hung the swing (the first time it was the swing-n-slide brand) from sturdy rope, and it was twisting. Then, we bought chain and used that to hang it from. Then, we decided it was probably the properties of the yellow rope that is actually part of the swing, so we returned it to Lowes. Then, we went to toys r us and bought the little tikes brand swing and hung that up, we tried altering the placement of the swing's hooks in the hanging chain, and nothing has worked.
here's the link to the swing we bought: http://www.littletikes.com/toys/toys-detail.aspx?Product_ID=2312&Ne=1&N=26+129
Is there a way to stabilize/level a swing from a curved tree branch?
Help!
jwpowers
06-01-07, 12:11 PM
I bought the same swing for my daughter a few months ago. The swing was too high off the ground anyway, so I added additional rope to end of the hook and attached that to two eyebolts in the 4x4 I had it hangng from. Although its not attached to a curved branch, it did have a bit of sway to it as she was swinging.
I retied the rope at the top, passing it through the other side of the eyebolt and was able to keep it from swaying. I also had to raise one side of the rope slightly higher than the other side to make it level at the bottom.
On a side note, you may want to drill a hole in the bottom of it to allow the water to drain when it rains.
I retied the rope at the top, passing it through the other side of the eyebolt and was able to keep it from swaying. I also had to raise one side of the rope slightly higher than the other side to make it level at the bottom.
On a side note, you may want to drill a hole in the bottom of it to allow the water to drain when it rains.
bizunit
07-09-07, 08:25 AM
I am having this same problem. I built a tree swing. The left rope/eye bolt is 8 inches higher than right b/c of the curved branch. So I swing uncontrollably. Ive been searching for a solution and noone has one thus far. I would love to see this question answered.
DIYaddict
07-10-07, 05:13 PM
No pro, but I think a lot will have to do with picking the right tree and limb.
How many inches in diameter is the limb? If it's less than 10 inches it'll bounce and it won't be as stable. If the curved branch is going upwards it will twist or swerve the swing.
How many inches in diameter is the limb? If it's less than 10 inches it'll bounce and it won't be as stable. If the curved branch is going upwards it will twist or swerve the swing.
czizzi
08-04-07, 01:35 PM
The swings are designed for use with swing set kits that are level to the ground. The also are attached using an S-Hook which is attached to a roller bearing assembly. The rope/S-hook "rocks" in the attachment set up and the rope never changes its orientation with relation to the swing. Its basically moves on a ball bearing.
If I can explain what is happening in your case. There are 4 ropes leading to the swing chair. Hardwired to a branch, when the swing is set in motion, the forward and rear ropes have different pivot points. They no longer move in unison together. Thus they fight over dominance, the result is a twist.
You should be able to buy the bearing assembly at the box stores with the playsets. Good luck trying to figure how to attach it to your (less than straight) branch.
If I can explain what is happening in your case. There are 4 ropes leading to the swing chair. Hardwired to a branch, when the swing is set in motion, the forward and rear ropes have different pivot points. They no longer move in unison together. Thus they fight over dominance, the result is a twist.
You should be able to buy the bearing assembly at the box stores with the playsets. Good luck trying to figure how to attach it to your (less than straight) branch.
Wirepuller38
08-21-07, 02:33 PM
An important point to remember is that the distance between the ropes where the ropes are attached to the branch must be greater than the distance between the ropes where attached to the swing. Experiment with varying this width before you make a permanent installation. I would start with making the distance at the top 6 in. wider than at the swing. Good luck with your project.