In a message dated 11/16/03 8:36:51 AM Pacific Standard Time, n8dcj@yahoo.com
writes:
> anyway about 30 mins
> before the guy was to show the tower owner went out to
> crank the tower all the way, well just about the time
> the tower was all the way up the cable broke... you
> can imagine the damage to the tower, the TB6EM and the
> 2 11 element 2m yagis on top. thank god the cable
> broke when the tower was being cranked up and not when
> the painter was on the tower... after inspection it
> was discoverd that the cable broke right where it
> wrapped over a pulley... this tower was kept at the
> same height most of the time and it took its toll on
> the cable where it went over that pulley...
This is an instance where the wire rope took a 'set' since it was always
parked at the same place. This is a bad idea. Here are some things to do to
prolong the service life of your cables:
1) Exercise the tower and cables at least monthly by running it up and down
a couple of times.
2) Park the extended and contracted tower at different heights each time you
raise or lower it. This will avoid the cables taking a permanent set by
spreading the wear out.
3) Use a cable lubricant twice a year as part of your PM program. (Champion
Radio Products has PreLube 6 - recommended by wire rope manufacturers. <A
HREF="http://www.championradio.com";>www.championradio.com</A>)
Cheers,
Steve K7LXC
TOWER TECH -
Professional tower services for commercial and amateur
888-833-3104
_______________________________________________
See: http://www.mscomputer.com for "Self Supporting Towers", "Wireless Weather
Stations", and lot's more. Call Toll Free, 1-800-333-9041 with any questions
and ask for Sherman, W2FLA.
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