[TowerTalk] twr handling 'brochure'
Frank T. Brady
ftbrady@cosmoslink.net
Mon, 8 Sep 1997 07:47:35 -0700
Dear TowerTalkians:
I made a little tower unloading brochure from the many helpful suggestions I
received to my "Tower Lifting Alternatives" query. You guys are great!
Frank T. Brady - W0ECS
Yorba Linda (soon to be Wildomar) Calif
Thanks to:
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Hi Frank,
Tks for your msg. Well, I'm not sure what would be best for you. I really
don't have any source(s) for dollies. I could make mine available; but, only
as a rental unit for a limited time period (week or two at most). It uses
two 8" (wheel barrel) tires on a heavy steel frame; it is right at 25" wide
by about 25" deep and has been used several times to move the TX-489 (abt
1900#) towers and other lighter ones around..
I know that the tower you are getting is rather heavy also; but, why rent a
tow truck - that seems a bit expensive. A two-ton engine hoist (they sell
new for $200) would also work + a few other options to get the tower off the
delivery truck.
Hope I have been a bit helpful.
73,
JOE
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Hi Frank,
Well the hoist I was thinking is one available from several sources
(including Harbor Freight Tools and several auto supply shops) and it called
a Central Hydraulics 2 Ton Shop Crane (it has an 8 Ton Ram/hydraulic).
As far as getting the tower off the delivery truck, don't forget the basic
physics involved. you can use roller posts/pipes to move the tower about.
You can use fulcrums and rollers to get the tower in a position where it can
be pulled off the truck, or the truck drives "out from under it"....
Come-alongs & floor jacks are useful also.
I am sorry, but I just don't have the time to go into a lot more detail
about your specific situation.. I would hope some one more local might be
able to help... I put up my towers on my own & with the exception of a few
instances, did it all myself & by myself... If you are not experienced, you
might net the "assistance" of some one like KJ6Y or W6MR who do these things
routinely for their business.
Sorry, I just can't help further for now..
Good luck
73,
JOE
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
my crankup was off loaded with a pickup with a
hoist mounted on the back corner.
--
73 Robert W5AJ w5robert@blkbox.com
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Frank,
This problem is exactly why I went with a Glenn-Martin Aluminium tower!
Actually, I think there is something you can maybe scrounge up use of.
Around here they have large residential propane gas tanks that one puts
in the yard. They are delivered on a two wheel dolly with a large,
strong vertical
U that holds the take and has a winch on it. It would be ideal to use
to
transport your tower/sections. It has a trailer hook on it.
73 de Brian
Vance Net Inc
End Of Message
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
My friend K9CJK/4 and I have successfully used 55 gallon steel drums to
move, load and unload a 70 ft Hy Gain tower and a 54 ft Rohn, both crankup
types. You can get by with 2 barrels on the smaller tower, but 3 makes it
easier. You will need a crew of 4, but mostly for the lifting onto the first
barrel and then the push-pull to get it going. The fellows who moved his
tower from Wis to FL were amazed at how easy it was. I was too the first
time. Just go slow and think SAFETY.
You will also need 3 or 4 pieces of 1 1/2" or 2" pipe to roll it on/off a
truck bed.
INK N4OO
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Cheapest and likely as good as any other way to get tower out of delivery
truck is to hire (with advance notice and discussion with owner of truck)
a tow truck (like the ones that tow autos). Get a tow truck that has a
hydro. boom, and a somewhat longer boom and a driver who enjoys doing
something different from just doing autos. Boom into the delivery truck
(towers are usually on the bottom and thus delivered nearly last) to the
mid point of the tower bundle. Attach strap (or worse, chain) around the
WHOLE tower (not thru legs/cross braces) and using boom, lift it out of
truck (or have delivery truck drive away while wrecker holds the tower).
Then, use tow truck wrecker to move the tower to your base attachment
point. If u can not get the tow truck into the space at your tower base,
consider using an automobile motor crane--fairly cheap and maybe
rentable-- which is on wheels and can lift heavy objects, check its upper
lifting limit #. This is the thing used to lift motors out from under th
hood of automobiles.
Tow truck is best, and mine charged only the cost of a tow ($30.) plus a
generous tip. Gud luck. K4VUD
P.S.: U can also use the tow truck and its boom to winch up a heavy tower
if it can hinge at the base. Same trip if you plan correctly!
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
save some money and get several empty 55 gallon drums and roll it off and to
where you want it. Do it like the egyptians did when the built the pyramids.
73, Bruce
| Bruce Makas, K1MY ex: K1MTY, W9NSM, W4PAK, |
| 58 Stonegate Road N9AFY, KB9US, KS9Z
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
From: "Bob Duckworth" <wb4mnf@atl.org>
To: "Frank T. Brady" <ftbrady@cosmoslink.net>
Frank-
Spend the $ for the tilt bed wrecker.
if the truck bed is higher than the wrecker
find a hill or use some 4 x 4s and back the wrecker on to them.
Lots cheaper than building something you woll only use once.
As for shifting around, rent a couple of Johnson bars from a
tool rental place. Also called 'J' bars. If you look hard enough you
can find some with larger wheels for uneven surfaces or make your own.
-bob
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The way I did it was to coordinate with the trucking company
to give me a call before delivery. Then I ran down to the local
rental place and rented an engine puller, which is a hydraulic
lift arm mounted on a stand. When the truck pulled up, I lifted
the accessible end of the tower about two feet, then put 2 pieces
of pipe under the tower. The tower could then be rolled
toward the back of the truck by hand, and one end gently lowered
to the ground, all done by hand, using careful balance. Now
you have one end on the ground, and the other end on the truck.
Grab the end that's on the truck with the engine puller and lift it
a few inches. Now the truck can drive off, and the tower can be gently
lowered to the ground with the engine puller. It's relatively easy
to lift one end of the tower and place pipes under it to roll it
around once it's on the ground. Use balance and leverage instead
of brute force.
Dave Hachadorian, K6LL
k6ll@juno.com
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
To unload the tower,rent a crane. Cheapest and safest.. The truck driver
may wait an hour if you are lucky, or you better have some greenbacks in
hand so he can see them go into his pocket about every 30 minutes. Not
talking about 1 and 5's. Best let him see a 50 and he will help.A crane
will run you about $200. and it is safer.
If you are dealing with people that are not used to handling towers and
the associated weight, SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET HURT BAD!!!!!
You better have good insurance on your new QTH to pay medical bills.
I have moved several LM470's with my big truck and lift gate with
dollies and come alongs. Doing it with inexperienced people is a drag
and a sweat hoping nobody gets hurt.
Being cheap may become very expensive.
NO I am not interested in unloading the tower in any way except with a
crane,crane operator and myself.
Hank KN6DI
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
From: Ed Sleight <k4sb@worldnet.att.net>
To: "Frank T. Brady" <ftbrady@cosmoslink.net>
Use a wrecker with a lifting boom...should only cost you about $50.
73
Ed
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
A dolly is a viable option IF the ground is level and it's paved all the
way to the base.
Since you have to unload the tower anyway, just have a boom truck meet
the truck when it arrives. The boomtruck can lift the tower off the truck AND
swing it over and lower onto your tower base. And all for less than the price
of the aforementioned dolly. You can get it done around here for $195.00 (3
hours @ $65/hr minimum charge). I wouldn't do it any other way.
73, Steve K7LXC
TOWER TECH -- professional tower supplies for amateurs
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
by the time the tower was coming out the cable was at the
center of gravity and it was fairly easy to guide out and lay on
the ground. That spot was close to the final tower location
with the base of the tower pointed to the spot.
Once concrete was poured & base put up, just hooked the winch
to the bottom of the pole and pulled it over and up into place.
Move the cable on the boom as required to get it in middle so
the pole is balanced. if a crankup make SURE that the inner
tower sections can not move/slide and cut off a finger, etc.
--
73 Robert W5AJ w5robert@blkbox.com
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
You might also try call a few tree trimming places and see if they have a
boom truck. I had to get a 40' pine tree removed to make room for my roof
tower and beam. The guy (crew) that did the tree removal had a 50' boom
truck and the "foreman" offered to raise my antenna into place for a few
extra bucks.
73 de Doug, N6RT
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I have unloaded heavy tower sections with the hoe part of my
backhoe. I have to remember to fill up the front bucket with
gravel/dirt otherwise the front wheels don't stay on the ground when
travelling around the yard.
Frank - VE7AV
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
To: ftbrady@cosmoslink.net
From: Ed-W4EP <epriv@dnet.net>
Subject: Tower
Some folks are making this too complicated!
I have had two VERY HEAVY Triex crank ups delivered. Called my local tow
truck service. Attached the boom to the tower with a sling, he took the
tower to were I needed it in the yard and sat it down on concrete
blocks/4x4 beam platform.
Cost: $18 first time second time we charged it to my "towing
service membership". Same guy came back and stood tower up for me for ten
buck tip. No big deal here, just go see your local tow truck dude!
73 es have fun!
Ed
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
From: Fred Kleber K9VV <k9vv@indy.net>
To: "Frank T. Brady" <ftbrady@cosmoslink.net>
A cheap way to transport heavy towers is to barrow an idea from the
ancient Egyptians. Go to your local handyman's store and buy several 4'
diameter fence posts. Cut them into the appropriate length (usually
2-2.5 feet) and then just roll the tower. When the tower goes over the
last roller, leap frog it to the front. It's worked great for me when
I've had to move my LM-470 which weighs about 1100+ lbs.
73,
Fred
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
end
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
--
FAQ on WWW: http://www.contesting.com/towertalkfaq.html
Submissions: towertalk@contesting.com
Administrative requests: towertalk-REQUEST@contesting.com
Problems: owner-towertalk@contesting.com
Search: http://www.contesting.com/km9p/search