I had the same problem with my MW65 which is about 30 years old. Wind
storm twisted the top section. When lowered, the top section was still
up and the guide rails kept it from collapsing. Attached a comealong
and forced it down enough to fold it over. I rebuilt the entire tower
changing sheaves, bearings, cables and had a certified welder
straighten the guides on all sections. Then took the wonky wows out of
the top section....Etched the steel, applied a commercial galvanizing
paint as used on steel tanks. Erected it and its working great.
Cost was about 500.00. I had mixed feelings about buying a new tower
vs. repairing the Tri-ex. I suppose it is possible to match a new
tower with the base with some kind of special built base. But this is
suppose to be fun...it's a hobby and this particular part lasted for a
year.
Some fun now.
Geo
W7LFD
I have the same problem with my Tri-ex W-67 crank-up. The reason is
that it
was damaged in shipping and the tower is slightly bent in several
places.
Additionally, when the tower is extended, even tho it is plumb, it
will tip
a bit and that increases the friction where the sections meet.
As I lowered the tower, I can see the top wire rope go slack and I
know the top two sections are bound. As this is on a crank-up and at
approximately 50', the next question is what to do?
What I needed was a positive pull-down scheme like the LM470 and other
BIG
towers have.
I solved this problem by getting some help from the local fire
department.
Using their ladder truck, I attached a wire rope to the bottom of the
top
section with three wire clamps and a thimble. This rope extends to the
ground plus a few extra feet.
I attach a pulley to the tower base, run the wire rope thru the pulley
to a
wire grip attached to one of my come-alongs. I tension the wire rope,
lower the tower, re tension the wire rope and continue until the tower
comes down by itself.
Voila! Positive pull-down on the cheep.
73 Craig Clark W1JCC
Radio Bookstore & Radioware
PO Box 209
47 Fitzgerald Rd
Rindge NH 03461
Orders: 800 457 7373 - 603 899 6957
10am- 6pm EST
Fax: 603 899 6826
24 hours, 7 days per week
email: nx1g@top.monad.net
radware@radio-ware.com
sites: http://www.radio-ware.com
http://www.radiobooks.com
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-----
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Problems: owner-towertalk@contesting.com
List Sponsored by AN Wireless: AN Wireless handles Rohn tower systems,
Trylon Titan towers, coax, hardline and more. Also check out our self
supporting towers up to 100 feet for under $1500!! http://www.anwireless.com
-----
FAQ on WWW: http://www.contesting.com/FAQ/towertalk
Submissions: towertalk@contesting.com
Administrative requests: towertalk-REQUEST@contesting.com
Problems: owner-towertalk@contesting.com
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