Steve:
I don't know what the newer US towers use, but my approx 14 YO tower has u
groove aluminum outer pulley sections, swaged to a center section of harder
material. I thought it was bronze, bit is is not of that color so I don't know
what it is. A bolt goes through this inner section and when the pulley rotates,
all of it rotates. There are no bearings as such. This makes lubrication very
important as it is metal against metal (bolt against inner pulley section).
Regarding the wire rope lube, I have put it on 2 tower cable sets and each have
lasted for years after ther first application. The stuff I use leaves a waxy
graphite appearing coating which lasts for years. I did the cables on my
current US Tower 3 years ago and they now look like they did when I originally
applied it.
John Owens - N7TK
-------------- Original message --------------
From: K7LXC@aol.com
In a message dated 4/10/2007 4:36:38 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time,
towertalk-request@contesting.com writes:
> If your tower is the motor driven type (HDX-555MDPL), I have the 72 foot
> version of that tower. I have also wanted to change out my cables as they are
> 14 years old now, but in apparently good shape. I watch them very closely,
> lubricate them with wire rope lube, and oil the pulleys at least 3 times per
> year. I think the pulleys are the weak link on those towers. The wire rope
> lube is something everyone should use on tower cables as it penetrates all
> the way through the cables and greatly extends their life. One application
> lasts for very many years.
A couple of points. US Tower pulleys use sealed bearings. Squirting some
lubricant at them doesn't do anything except maybe its psychologically
beneficial.
Also cable lubricant should be applied periodically, at least once a year -
it's a lightweight lubricant that will wash off in outdoor applications. If you
apply it once a year, you're way ahead of everyone else. Semi-annually is even
better.
Cheers,
Steve K7LXC
TOWER TECH -
Professional tower services for hams
See what's free at AOL.com.
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