US Tower told me (and others) that they now recommend beeswax rather
than grease for lubricating the tower sections.
73
Alan NV8A
On 12/21/07 09:25 pm John Ammeter wrote:
> I've just installed a used TX-472 tower here. So far, I have a 2M/440
> omni and an inverted V 80 meter wire antenna on it. A couple days ago I
> attempted to lower it in anticipation of installing my new SteppIR 3L
> antenna plus installing a worm gear winch for raising/lowering the tower.
>
> As I was retracting the tower the top section stuck at about the 50 foot
> level. The lower sections would continue to retract but the topmost
> section wasn't coming down with them. I tried shaking the tower by
> pulling on the 80 meter wire with no luck, still stuck...
>
> Today, I put a 32 foot extension ladder against the tower and was able
> to get within a couple feet of the point where it was stuck. A crowbar
> broke it free and, even though it did stick twice more on the way down,
> I was able to completely retract it. I found that the plate on the
> bottom of the innermost tower section where the cable was fastened had
> been bent outward enough that it was catching on the bars of the next
> tower section. A "come-along" and some careful application of an 8
> pound sledge hammer cured that problem.
>
> My plan is to fasten a length of chain onto the innermost section so
> that if it sticks again I'll be able to carefully apply a positive
> downward force on the tower. I'm also going to liberally spread some
> grease on the bearing surfaces of the tower.
>
> Any thoughts or ideas on my situation and plans?
>
> John KE7JGB
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