[Towertalk] Re: Help! Heavy Wind Batters Beam and Rotor

[kb9cry@attbi.com]

I put up a KT36XA with a Ham IV rotator last fall and a 
week later we were hit with 60 mph gusty winds for over 
a day.  During that period I had three of the bottom 
bolts rotate out of the rotator bottom and the fourth 
and final one eventually snapped off. (I did find two fo 
the bolts on the tower base.)   I had used the SS bolts 
with split lock washers that came with the rotator.  
After inquiring around I now use regular steel plated 
Grade 5 bolts (The SS are "slippery" and one wants some 
corrosion in this application.) I also used the the 
medium strength blue Loctite Threadlocker 242 (removable 
with hand tools), and finally I used Nord-Lock vibration 
resistant lock washers (available at McMaster Carr).  I 
checked these bolts about a month ago and all were 
holding tight, but I agree, this is one of those items 
that should be checked when one does their annual tower 
climb and inspection.  Phil  KB9CRY