When I first got the k1550 and it squealed so loudly I called Fulton winch
to enquire about using a worm drive winch. I had experience with a worm
drive mechanical winch on my Jeep pickup. However the Fulton representative
advised against it. Unfortunately I didn't pursue why--maybe he thought I
would be using it to keep the tower up and the winch could creep. But I was
only going to use it to tilt the tower up and then release the load on the
winch.
I use a 1/2 hp electric drill on the k2550 after the LM470 tower with Steppr
Monstr at 1 ft above the tower is about 30/45 degrees up and use the drill
all the way down. I do stop periodically but haven't noticed any heating.
I modified the tilt pulley system to use four pulleys instead of two so that
may reduce the load on the winch considerably. It is actually pretty easy
to crank it up-just takes a lot of energy moving my arm so much longer.
k7puc
----- Original Message -----
From: "Rick Karlquist" <richard@karlquist.com>
To: "Dino Darling" <dino@k6rix.com>
Cc: <towertalk@contesting.com>; "KT2Q" <dxdx@optonline.net>
Sent: Saturday, March 17, 2007 3:27 PM
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Tower winch failure
> Two questions:
>
> 1. I have an HDX5106 with a 2550. I feel that this winch is
> overloaded, in the same way that the guys with the "little" towers
> feel their 1550s are overloaded. Is there something even bigger
> than the 2550 I can convert to?
>
> 2. I realize these winches have an enviable track record, but
> why should I want to fool with a winch having a "squeeler" brake
> as opposed to a worm drive winch? Worm drive seems much more
> logical to me. What I would really like to do is get worm drive
> winch that is geared down another factor of 5 or 10 compared to
> the 2550 and then use an electric drill on the shaft. I am
> afraid if I applied an electric drill to the 2550 the brake would
> overheat. It already gets extremely hot using the "armstrong"
> method of propulsion. Not to mention the noise. When lowering
> I have to take rest breaks ... for the winch to cool down.
> Can I just put on hearing protectors and let it squeel away?
> Do I stop cranking only if I see smoke?
>
> Rick Karlquist N6RK
>
>
>
>
>
> Dino Darling wrote:
>> You'll be looking long and hard to find a better winch. I have used
>> these winches on towers and in the traffic control industry (by the
>> thousands) for over 20 years. A winch failure is not impossible, but
>> it is usually due to poor maintenance in harsh environments.
>>
>> The engineers picked the 1550 for a reason. The 2550 has more
>> capacity at a reduced (1/3) speed. BTW, how long did the 1550 last?
>>
>> If you are comfortable with picking a winch that may have not been
>> used for your application, then that is your prerogative. I'd
>> suggest going with the original 1550 and maybe upgrade to the 2550 if
>> you don't mind spending the extra $$$. Also, there is a KX version
>> of the 1550 which "offer plated gear covers for improved gear train
>> protection, and a dual ratchet system for added load control security."
>>
>> Here is a post from 2003...
>> http://lists.contesting.com/_towertalk/2003-08/msg00556.html
>>
>> Search for winches...
>> http://www.nextag.com/Fulton/fulton-winches/brand-html
>>
>> Good luck!
>>
>>
>> At 09:26 AM 3/17/2007, KT2Q wrote:
>>> I was hoping the 2550 had a heavy duty mechanism compared to the
>>> 1550. I guess I'll have to look elsewhere for a better winch.
>>>
>>>Tony KT2Q
>>
>> Dino - K6RIX
>> dino@k6rix.com
>>
>>
>> --
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>> 3/17/2007
>>
>>
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>
>
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