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Re: [TowerTalk] DROPPING A TOWER

To: "jz73@verizon.net" <jz73@verizon.net>
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] DROPPING A TOWER
From: VE6WZ_Steve <ve6wz@shaw.ca>
Date: Sat, 21 Sep 2024 14:53:35 -0600
List-post: <mailto:towertalk@contesting.com>
Whatever you do…….set up your phone on a tripod and make a video!

> On Sep 21, 2024, at 12:25 PM, jz73--- via TowerTalk 
> <towertalk@contesting.com> wrote:
> 
> Hi Bill,
> 
> We've dropped a number of towers. Some are easy, some are not.
> 
> First things first. Have a helper designated as the "safety officer" to keep 
> unwanted visitors well away from the fall zone. Consider the fall zone 
> 360-degrees around the tower and twice the height. Yellow construction tape 
> might be advisable depending on typical foot traffic in the area. More than 
> one safety officer may be needed.
> 
> Easiest are the ones where a face of the tower is in the direction of desired 
> fall. Those two legs will be notched near the base to weaken the legs so they 
> act as a hinge. The remaining (rear) leg will be cut entirely to allow the 
> tower to hinge down on the other two legs.  A sawzall or cutoff wheel may be 
> used to make the cuts.
> 
> We drop the top set of guys first. The two of these toward the direction of 
> fall may be used to pull the tower in that direction. A heavy vehicle will 
> work for the pull or even a come-a-long or capstan winch with heavy rope 
> attached to the two pull guys. A turning pulley may be needed depending on 
> space available.
> 
> You want light tension on the pull line before you cut the rear leg, and more 
> once the rear leg guys are cut.
> 
> The guys attached to the rear leg of the tower should be released 
> simultaneously if you want the tower to hinge at the base. In other words 
> just cut the guy anchor, not the individual guys. Simultaneously pull on 
> those forward upper guys to help the tower begin its descent. Good 
> communication between the persons cutting the guys and handling the pull 
> lines is essential.
> 
> I would never remove or loosen tower section bolts as this may weaken the 
> tower and create an unintended hinge point.
> 
> It gets more complicated – and unpredictable – if you are trying to drop the 
> tower in a direction other than toward a face.
> 
> You might find a local scrapper to do this for you.
> 
> Any tower toppled should be sent to the scrap yard, not re-used.
> 
> 73/Jon AA1K
> 
> Jon P. Zaimes, AA1K
> Tower climber for hire
> Felton, DE 19943
> jz73@verizon.net
> Cell: 302-632-2353
> 
> www.aa1k.us<http://www.aa1k.us/>
> ________________________________
> From: TowerTalk <towertalk-bounces@contesting.com> on behalf of cqtestk4xs--- 
> via TowerTalk <towertalk@contesting.com>
> Sent: Saturday, September 21, 2024 7:19 AM
> To: towertalk@contesting.com <towertalk@contesting.com>
> Subject: [TowerTalk] DROPPING A TOWER
> 
> In a few weeks I will be taking down a 136 ft Rohn 55 tower with its base set 
> in concrete.  I won't be taking it down section by section, but rather 
> dropping the whole thing.
> I have some pre-conceived ides as to how to do it, but have never done it 
> beiore.  No issues with power lines or neighbor's property...noner are an 
> issue.  Lots of cleared space folr the tower to be dropped.
> Any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
> Bill K4XS/V31XX
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