US Tower doesn't have to play nice; they are the only game in town
(almost).
To begin with, you want an aircraft 7x19 cable (7 strands; 19 cables per
strand; 6 wrapped around 1). This cable is designed to flex over
sheaves (pulleys). The 1/4" cable has a WLL (working load limit) of
#1400 which is plenty for your application. The breaking strength is
#7000.
Go to http://www.mcmaster.com/ In the white search box on the left,
copy and past, 3450T43. There are many other vendors too. I only use
McMaster Carr as a reference.
As far as lengths go, you make them up as you go! I have a wire rope
vendor here in Anaheim. I take the old cable to them, and they replace
it with the exact cable that came off of the tower. They use a 10 ton
press to swedge the compression sleeves on them. I've never had a
problem. http://www.bcwirerope.com/ These guys are the professionals.
If you want to buy your own nico press, you can build your own. On
McMaster Carr's website (above), type, NICO PRESS in the search box.
Last note, the upper sections may have a smaller diameter cable on them
(3/16?). They are lifting a lighter load than the lower cables. I'd
like to say that the tower industry has been consistent with cable
sizes, but this is NOT the case. A bigger cable is not bad, as long as
you pay attention to the diameter of the sheaves the cable is turning
over in relation to the diameter of the cable. In other words, the 1/4
cable above wants to see a minimum of a 3" radius. A smaller sheave is
too much of a radius and will prematurely weaken the cable. Just
because a 5/16 cable will fit, doesn't mean the sheaves are of the
correct radius/diameter.
If you need help, call a professional! KJ6Y is just down the road from
you and has everything to build you your cables right on site!
Dino - KX6D
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] US Tower
From: "Ray Benny" <rbenny@sbcglobal.net>
Date: Sun, May 10, 2009 1:32 pm
To: <TOWERTALK@contesting.com>
I've had terrible luck with US Towers in getting information and some
parts and pieces from them. Their big concern is "Liability". I can
understand this but it seems they take it to the extreme.
Recently I bought an older MA770 tubular tower that needs the lifting
cables replaced. I have been working on towers for many years and have
experience in installing, repairing and taking them down. Since I do not
have a manual for the MA770, I called the US Tower office this past week
to ask what size the cable is and how long of pieces I would need. The
person who answered the phone is one of their knowledgeable
sales/technical persons, but he would not tell me anything, not even the
diameter of the cables! No matter how hard I tried to get any
information from the guy, his response was that due to liability
concerns, he could not tell me.
So here I am with one of their towers and can't get any help from them.
I've had this situation with them in the past with a different tower,
but eventually got the info I needed from other sources. Of course it
took a lot more time and effort to get the info needed.
I just think that it terrible in not being able to get any follow up
support from the manufacturer of such nice, well build equipment that so
many of us use.
BTW, the cable on my MA770 looks to be about 1/4 inch in diameter, but
is so rusted that I don't want to guess. Anyone know this information:
cable size and lengths of the lifting cables?
Thanks,
Ray, N6VR
-----Original Message-----
From: towertalk-bounces@contesting.com
[mailto:towertalk-bounces@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Mike
Sent: Saturday, May 09, 2009 9:04 PM
To: towertalk@contesting.com
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] US Tower
Not a good suggestion unless you want to purchase a tower, parts cables
go someplace local.
Mike
-----Original Message-----
From: towertalk-bounces@contesting.com
[mailto:towertalk-bounces@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Alan Swinger
Suggest call US Tower.
-----Original Message-----
>From: Martin Staffa <geitaemort@sbcglobal.net>
>Sent: May 9, 2009 5:11 PM
>To: towertalk@contesting.com
>Subject: [TowerTalk] US Tower
>
>Some time ago their was a thread on replacement cable for the tower,� could
>any one remember were to purchase that cable. I seem to remember some thing
>about Chicago maybe not. Any road kill picked up along the way to field day
>all ways gets thrown into the pot! 73 N1KGP Martin
>_______________________________________________
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>
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