In a message dated 10/2/2007 9:02:43 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time,
towertalk-request@contesting.com writes:
> I found the documentation confusing, however, and not just because I'm
not an engineer: the foundation dimensions on the Web site are different
from those in the printed docs. I received, and I think there were
discrepancies within the printed docs. as well. When I asked for
clarification, about all I could get was "follow the instructions."
To reiterate, tower manufacturers are insurance driven enterprises. They
are loathe to give you any information due to risk exposure.
The drawings on the website are for sales illustration purposes and
aren't real "drawings".
> Another point: I saw people here reporting that they had been advised by
UST to lubricate the sliding "bearings" of the tower sections with
beeswax, whereas my printed docs. said to use automotive grease. This
time, when I asked for clarification, they replied: "Yes, we've changed
our recommendation but haven't yet updated the docs."
Okay, now that we everything about beeswax applications, no one addressed
the real question which is "Is there anything needed for leg lubrication?"
Some
years ago they used a thick grease, now they use beeswax DURING ASSEMBLY so
the sections will slide easily back and forth DURING ASSEMBLY.
If you recognize the LXC Prime Directive to "DO what the manufacturer
says', you'll know that's my normal attitude. In this case I suggest
disregarding the company advice to lube the legs.
The basic question is do the legs need lubricating? Umm, not really. The
amount of wear caused by several hundred cycles of extending and retracting
the tower is pretty small. I've never seen a leg that had fatal wear
problems.
I don't care which one you want to use, it's danged difficult to apply
either one of them. And if you do, how long does an application last?
You can only really reach the inside of a leg to lube it when it's fully
extended. DO NOT lube this tower! Okay, it's retracted. Now what do you do?
Maybe you could pour hot beeswax down the legs but is it worth the hassle and
mess? Methinks not.
How long is it going to last? Several months? Maybe more, maybe less. Is
it worth it to do it a couple of times a year. If it was my tower, I
probably wouldn't bother.
OTOH please feel free to lubricate the cables and anything else that
needs it; e.g. zerk fittings, thrust bearing, etc. My $.02.
Cheers,
Steve K7LXC
TOWER TECH -
Professional tower services for hams
and
_www.championradio.com_ (http://www.championradio.com)
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