In a message dated 5/18/2010 8:39:28 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time,
Brahmangou@aol.com writes:
> Unlubricated bearings? Maybe the reason you are wearing out the races.
I use Moly grease on all of mine, no problems yet. Every bearing needs
lubrication, even old windmills from 100 years ago have oilers, and windmills
only turn at about 75 rpm. Where I live dust and dirt above 50 feet is not a
problem, maybe in West Texas or Arizona the big dust storms could deposit
enough to make a difference.
The Rohn thrust bearing isn't a conventional bearing in the sense
you're talking about above. It turns at 1 RPM. The manufacturer says does not
say to grease it. The LXC Prime Directive says to "DO what the manufacturer
says." In this case, do not grease the Rohn TB.
> The grease would not make a negative difference in the grit problem.
The grease will retain any grit, dust, dirt, air particulates, etc.
that blow in. No grease - no long-term grit in the bearings.
> Once grit gets into the races the damage is done, grease or no grease.
No way to get the grit back out either way.
Yes there is - don't put any in in the first place.
> Actually the grease would help keep the grit out. Once a bearing is put
through several rotations, excess grease is forced out through the races.
There is no way to get this grease back into the bearings. There is no
grease pump to move grease back onto the bearing surfaces.This is why you
repack wheel bearings. The excess grease can act as a semi-seal for the races.
Sure, for more conventional bearings. The races in the Rohn TB are
open to the wx which means that rain and grit can get in and it can also get
out. The predominant damage I've seen with Rohn TB's is that the races have
been hammered by the wind forces and the steel ball bearings being pounded
against the softer aluminum races.
So, sir, you are still wrong.
Cheers,
Steve K7LXC
TOWER TECH
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