Howdy, TowerTalkians --
These were posted purported to be from US Towers.
> QUESTION : Cable replacement and maintenance.
>
> ANSWER : We recommend that you replace your cables every three years,
with regular inspection of
>
> the cables. You need to look for any rust, broken strains and/or
kinking. We do not recommend
>
> lubricating the cables as can cause a more serious damage to them.
This is known as a WEASEL CLAUSE so that if you don't replace the
cables every 3 years, they can WEASEL OUT of any liability. Yes, rust, broken
strands and/or kinking are the CORRECT reasons to replace the cables but in
almost all cases, it is unnecessary under any normal amateur tower use I've
ever seen. I'd be shocked to see a 3-year old cable that has the
aforementioned abnormalities.
> QUESTION : Can the cables be lubricated?
>
> ANSWER : We do not recommend lubricating the cables. The lubrication
only attracts dirt and debris
>
> causing cuts and scarring into the cable resulting in a shortened cable
life span.
Lady and gentlemen, this information is WRONG! UST is NOT the
manufacturer of the cable/wire rope used in their tower. The ACTUAL wire rope
manufacturers say that you SHOULD lubricate the cables. They come from the
wire
rope factory pre-lubricated from manufacturing. Besides keeping out grit
and grime, the light-weight oil that is absorbed into the strands actually
lubricates the strands. They move around slightly as the cable moves over
pulleys and they do need periodic lubricating. If you have a crank-up that
creaks and groans as it's raised or lowered, after lubrication it'll be eerily
quiet in operation - a vivid illustration.
Lubricating the cables does not violate the LXC Prime Directive to "DO
what the manufacturer says" since UST is NOT the wire rope manufacturer.
Cheers,
Steve K7LXC
TOWER TECH -
Professional tower services for hams
and
US Tower factory authorized installer
Cell: 206-890-4188
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