Started to mount a new T-2X purchased on 3/3/10 yesterday. Made up all
of the plugs and checked the rotor out on the ground at the tower.
Rotor worked properly on the ground
Dropped the tower and tilted it over so we could install the rotor body
and mast. We checked the bolts and the tower mounting plate for the
correct mounting and they aligned OK. The rotor plate is heavy duty 3/8
to 1/2" thick and welded in place.
I had only insert the mounting bolts in the body a few turns before
taking it outside and didn't notice anything unusual. Used some anti
seize lube' on the bolts.
My helper (brother) did notice that the rotor body bolt holes seemed a
little out of the pattern and very close to one edge, however, when
aligning the body to the rotor plate they look almost dead on. So we
proceeded, then the trouble started.
The mounting bolts turned in hand tight about a 1/4 of the way in, not
free at all and got to the point (1/4 way) that we decided to use my
small ratchet set.
Not even 1/2 way in the bolts started to seize and we were very
reluctant to proceed. I checked the depth of the holes in the body and
they are free in equal to the length of the bolts.
We backed out the bolts and lowered the rotor to the ground and again
tired to insert and screw in the bolts while free of any mounting plate
with the same results. It almost seems like the threads are not right
for the mounting bolts or the bolts are two long but we didn't want to
over tighten. The bolts were in a plastic package so I assume they were
the correct ones supplied by the factory.
Looks like we did slightly bend one bolt head and not sure when that
occurred but I can always get a new bolt locally.
Any ideas? Your input and help will be appreciated.
73 de
Ron W4LDE
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
TowerTalk mailing list
TowerTalk@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
|