Having had cables and pulleys replaced on a US Tower TX-472, I think the
pulleys are the weak link in crank-ups. That said, I believe in Lubing the
cables and pulleys twice a yr and inspecting cables . . . and not replacing
unless there is obvious cable or pulley wear.
73,
alan
-----Original Message-----
>From: Patrick Greenlee <patrick_g@windstream.net>
>Sent: Jun 13, 2013 5:04 PM
>To: "TOWERTALK@contesting.com" <towertalk@contesting.com>
>Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] How to apply lube to HDX589
>
>Lots of talk about rust. Is rust the only failure indicator besides broken
>strands? The strands slip back and forth against each other as they go
>around a pulley. Do they wear out and break with no visible outward
>indication? What do you look for, if anything, besides rust and broken
>strands?
>
>I am refurbing a used tower. There are "aircraft rated" cables available as
>well as galvanized cables and stainless steel cables. What are the chief
>selection criteria to use in determining which of these to use?
>
>Also, I want to replace the turning block (pulley that reverses the
>direction of motion) on this crankup tower. Is there any reason I shouldn't
>replace it with one significantly larger in diameter so long as it is a good
>fit to the diameter of the cable? I would think that this would be kinder
>and gentler on the cable.
>
>Patrick AF5CK
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Bob K6UJ
>Sent: Thursday, June 13, 2013 12:59 PM
>Cc: towertalk reflector
>Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] How to apply lube to HDX589
>
>Steve,
>
>I am with you on this. Pre lube is more of a corrosion/rust inhibiter than
>a lubricant. Its value lies in the fact that it wicks into the inner
>strands and will prevent rusting if applied on a regular schedule. It
>doesnt leave an oily film on the outside of the cable.
>This is the stuff to use and not grease or oil which leave the outside of
>the cables oily and they will collect dust and dirt like crazy, not good at
>all,
>plus their penetration into the inner strands is minimal. The way I look at
>it do not apply Pre Lube and replace your cables in 5 to 6 years max. (I
>have done
>this twice on my towers) or regularly maintain your cable with a Pre Lube
>treatment and go for a long, long, time. I have 12 years on my HDX589
>cables using Pre Lube
>and still no signs of rust. A local ham friend, KD6T, has over 20 years on
>his tower cables using Pre lube and they show no rusting.
>
>
>Bob
>K6UJ
>
>
>On Jun 13, 2013, at 8:41 AM, Steve Dyer wrote:
>
>> K7LXC breaks the prime directive for lubricating crank-up cables. He sells
>> Prelube 6 on his site and recommends using it. And yes, any professional
>> user of wire rope always lubricates their cables on a regular
>> maintenance/inspection schedule.
>> It baffles me why anyone would not lube the cable with the *proper*
>> lubricant since the cable is THE critical link in a crank-up.
>> It's a testament to how well the cable holds up that more failures haven't
>> occurred. That and it's way over-sized to the load.
>> 73,
>> Steve
>> W1SRD
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> ________________________________
>> From: "john@kk9a.com" <john@kk9a.com>
>> To: towertalk@contesting.com
>> Sent: Thursday, June 13, 2013 7:12 AM
>> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] How to apply lube to HDX589
>>
>>
>> Lubricating the cable does go against the K7LXC prime directive. US towers
>> recommends replacing the cable every three years.
>>
>> Most wire rope is lubricated during manufacturing. Lubrication does two
>> things:
>>
>> Reduces friction as the individual wires move over each other.
>>
>> Provides corrosion protection and lubrication in the core and inside wires
>> and on the exterior surfaces.
>>
>> If I owned a crank-up tower I would keep the cables lubricated and only
>> change them if there was noticeable corrosion or broken strands .
>>
>> John KK9A
>>
>>
>>
>> To: Bryan Swadener <bswadener@yahoo.com>
>> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] How to apply lube to HDX589
>> From: Andre VanWyk <kr5dx@yahoo.com>
>> Date: Wed, 12 Jun 2013 22:45:37 -0400
>>
>>
>> I am missing something here as US Tower advises against lubricating
>> cables.
>>
>> What are you gaining by lubricating cable? I my opinion if a un-lubricated
>> galvanized cable shows signs of rust, it is time to replace it.
>>
>> 73's
>> NJ0F
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>>
>>
>>
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>>
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