On 04/20/07 01:53 pm jcowens1@comcast.net wrote:
>> I have had the same problem you are having with the stall upon raising the
>> tower and have resorted to doing the same thing you do. If I briefly lower
>> the
>> tower and then switch to raising, it usually takes off and raises the tower.
>> Once it is under way, it doesn't hesitate or stall the rest of the way up.
>> There
>> is friction between the various sections and they told me to use bees wax on
>> the
>> tower areas where there is abnormal friction. I bought some and put it on
>> and it
>> did help the situation.
>>
>> I don't have the docs. in front of me at the moment, but I thought they
>> said to use automotive grease. They do NOT recommend automotive grease. They
>> specifically recommended against using oil or lube, but recommend bees wax
>> which is why I used it in the first place and it does help. Bees wax can be
>> bought from a good hobby shop (used in floral aarrangements) and the block I
>> bought for around $10 will last me a lifetime. Grease will collect dirt and
>> only make the problem worse over time.
I do now have the docs. in front of me, and on the back of the page
headed "Installation and Maintenance Instructions" which I received from
UST in October 2006 are the following words:
"Like anything that is subjected to constant weathering, your tower,
raising fixture, and accessories must be inspected regularly for signs
of wear and corrosion. . . . A thorough inspection immediately after
every storm is always necessary. In addition, all moving parts should be
well lubricated with _conventional automotive grease_ (or equivalent) at
least twice a year." (3rd. paragraph; emphasis added)
>>> I guess it is kind of a tradeoff situation. You can't have an overkill on
>> power to move the sections as that might put unreasonable stress on the
>> cables
>> and result in a breakage. Before I put the bees wax on the tower innter
>> surfaces, it used to bind slightly towards the end of travel up. It is
>> better
>> with the bees wax.
>> Regarding oil, I changed mine last year and I am pretty sure I used regular
>> automobile differential oil (90 wt?). The Hub City (gearbox mfr) literature
>> I
>> have says GL-90 for temps between 15 and 60 DEGF, or GL-150 for temps
>> between 50
>> to 125 DEGF. It says to change it after every 100 hours of use. For me, that
>> is
>> about every 20 years. I chose GL90 because of the lower viscosity. I talk
>> with
>> Gary Smith at UST when I have questions (559)733-2438. He has been there a
>> long
>> time and seems to be the most knowledgeable.
>>
>> Again, I thought they said "gear oil." I know that differential oil
>> could be different, but whether it's worse I don't know. Differential oil is
>> gear oil that is designed to lubricate the gears in your automobile
>> differential gear box.
I was recalling that differentials that use hypoid gears (perhaps all do
now) had to use oil with special additives. Whether it has a deleterious
effect on non-hypoid gears I have no idea.
<snip>
73
Alan NV8A
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