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Re: [TowerTalk] Thoughts on Tower lifting cable broken strands

To: Grant Saviers <grants2@pacbell.net>
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Thoughts on Tower lifting cable broken strands
From: Ray Benny <rayn6vr@cableone.net>
Date: Thu, 22 Aug 2013 10:33:44 -0700
List-post: <towertalk@contesting.com">mailto:towertalk@contesting.com>
Grant,

This is the kind of information I was looking for. Thanks for taking the
time to find it!

With the comments and info received so far, I am more convinced now that my
only real option is to replace the cable. So I will!

Tnx to all who replied.

Ray,
N6VR
Chino Valley, AZ, near Prescott



On Thu, Aug 22, 2013 at 10:16 AM, Grant Saviers <grants2@pacbell.net> wrote:

>
> There are standards for when a wire rope should be replaced, one from OSHA
> https://www.osha.gov/pls/**oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?**
> p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=34<https://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=34>
>
> another at
> http://www.grainnet.com/**articles/Inspecting_Wire_**Ropes-10905.html<http://www.grainnet.com/articles/Inspecting_Wire_Ropes-10905.html>
>
> As I read this guidance, you absolutely need to replace the cable,
> particularly since the breaks are so close together.
>
> Grant KZ1W
>
>
> On 8/22/2013 12:21 AM, Ray Benny wrote:
>
>> I'm in a dilemma.
>>
>> I purchase a used TM-490 90 ft Sky Needle and recently found some of the
>> 5/16", 7 X 19 aircraft cable lifting cable strands broken. The tower is on
>> the ground and not been in the vertical position for a number of years.
>> The
>> problem, apparently there was some gas torch cutting done nearby and
>> splatter landed on the cable. This molten metal landed on the pull up
>> cable
>> causing it to burn and sever 2 - 3 strands in one area, and another 3 - 4
>> strands 6 inches higher up the cable. The cable overall is otherwise in
>> very good condx with no wear marks. It might have been replaced prior and
>> the tower has been laying on the ground ever since?
>>
>> The best and right thing to do is to replace the cable. But, I have been
>> going through my options:
>>
>> #1 - Do the cable replacing myself. I have found the cable and cable
>> pulling grip for less that $200. The major problem is that this is a 3200
>> lbs tabular tower and not easy to move around. I would need to rent small
>> boom truck or forklift and some other misc working hardware to pull the
>> sections apart. It would not be easy, but feel I could do the job.
>>
>> #2 - Hire someone to come here and do the job. This can run into a 4 - 5
>> thousand dollar cost.
>>
>> #3 - Transport the tower to California and have it restring by the tower
>> company who made it long ago. I've checked commercial transport rates, r/t
>> shipment and cable replacement cost is more than option #2.
>>
>> #4 - Do nothing and live with a few broken strands.
>>
>> *At this point I am looking for thoughts, experiences and/or
>> semi-professional thoughts on option #4 - do nothing*. I've had a one
>>
>> experienced tower person say that 6 - 8 broken strands out of 133 is
>> nothing.
>>
>> Again, I know the proper/safe thing to do is replace the cable, but how
>> about doing nothing and using the tower as is?
>>
>> Tnx,
>>
>> Ray,
>> N6VR
>> ______________________________**_________________
>>
>>
>>
>> ______________________________**_________________
>> TowerTalk mailing list
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>>
>>
>
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