Lifespan Kids Forde Timber Swing Set with Two Swings and Glider

A timber A-frame swing set with three stations: two green moulded swing seats on adjustable ropes and a two-seat glider. The frame is heat treated southern pine, 202cm tall and 290cm wide, with anchor kits for soil or concrete footings, and the seats are detachable by carabiner. The heat treatment uses no chemicals and helps the timber resist rot and decay, and the swing hooks and other steel parts are galvanised to resist rust.

Each swing seat is rated to 50kg and takes one child at a time, and each side of the glider is rated to 25kg. The set is made for children aged 3 to 12.

Lifespan Kids Standards

Standards met for this set:

• Australian safety standards
• EN71, the European toy safety standard

Maintenance For Wood

• Cracks: Normal in timber, and not a fault. They open along the grain in dry weather and mostly close in wet weather, without weakening the frame. The photos below show safe cracks.
• When to worry: Only if a crack is deep enough to start splitting a post or beam in two, which is rare. If you email us photos, we can have it checked.
• Sealant: Apply a timber sealant once or twice a year, depending on your climate. Lifespan Kids requires this for its warranty.
• Moisture: Keep the timber free from excessive moisture, which can warp it. Clean it regularly to remove dirt and moisture build-up.
• Bolts: Timber shrinks and swells, so check the bolts and tighten any that are loose. Do not over-tighten, which can crack the timber.
• Splinters: Check the timber and lightly sand any rough spots.
• Rust and mould: Sand back and repaint rust spots on the steel parts. Scrub off mould with soapy water.

Setting up

Allow 2m of clear space on each side and 0.7m above, and keep the swings at least 35cm off the ground. Do not set it up on concrete, asphalt or any other hard surface. The manual warns that grass can turn to hard-packed earth where children play most. It lists bark mulch, wood chips, fine sand and fine gravel as shock absorbing surfaces, laid 150mm to 300mm deep depending on the material and the fall height. The loose surface should reach in front of and behind the swings to twice the height of the beam. It is delivered in two cartons, 220 x 19 x 17cm and 104 x 18 x 20cm, with a boxed weight of 46.5kg in total. Assembly takes two adults, and Lifespan Kids allows about 3 hours. You need a drill or screw gun, a 17mm spanner, a hammer, a level, a tape measure and a shovel. Cement is not supplied if you want to concrete the anchors in. Adult set-up and supervision are required at all times, and it is not suitable for children under 3. It is for home use only. Timber colour varies.

Lifespan Warranty Details

This is the Lifespan Kids warranty, and claims go through us. The timber frame is covered for 5 years against wood rot and insect damage (excluding termites), and the other parts for 1 year. The warranty has maintenance requirements, which are outlined in the manual. A faulty part is repaired or replaced, and the warranty applies to the original buyer only. It does not cover:

• Termite damage.
• Normal weathering of the timber: cracks, raised grain, warping, twisting, shrinkage, swelling, fading and surface mould.
• Scratches, dents and wear to the stain, paint or finish.
• Rust on steel parts, unless a manufacturing fault caused it, and any rust on a set within 1.5km of salt water or exposed to ocean spray.
• Sets that have not had the maintenance in the manual, including the timber sealant and treating rust spots.
• Use outside a family home, such as schools, childcare centres and play centres.
• Sets that have been modified or fitted with another brand's parts or accessories, and faults caused by incorrect assembly, misuse or the weather.
• Assembly, installation and call-outs.

Check the contents when the set arrives and email us if a part is missing or damaged. Lifespan Kids does not accept those claims more than 3 months after delivery, and says not to use the set while any part is missing. For any claim, email us photos and your order number.

Note for TAS, WA, NT: This item has a heavy item surcharge for orders to TAS, WA and NT. If this applies to you, please add the surcharge through the drop-down above the order button. Delivery to the NT outside Darwin is not possible for this item. Email us if you want to check your address.