[TowerTalk] Need for a thrust bearing

[Joe]

My 2 cents is that it does both.  You can "unload the rotor" by leaving a 
very small gap at the point where the mast contacts the rotor base and 
insert a bolt horizontally through the rotor top section and mast, thereby 
lessening the "vertical thrust" on the rotor.  By centering the mast in the 
thrust bearing, you also lessen the lateral forces on the rotator and keep 
the mast vertical.  It doesn't have to do only one of the two, it magically 
does both!  :-)

YMMV.

73,
Joe
WDØM



At 01:55 PM 7/18/2004, Julio Peralta wrote:
>Gentlemen I've gone trough about 150 posts in the archives trying to 
>settle the issue of what a top mounted thrust bearing is supposed to 
>accomplish, but I didn't find anything that I thought answered the question.
>
>Our club here in Tampa is getting ready to finish up a 110' R45 tower 
>install with a C31 and a MAG 240N. The question came up about taking the 
>weight off the rotor with the thrust bearing or whether it's propose is 
>for side loading. I have my opinion but would like to hear from others.
>
>Is there a definitive answer to this question?
>
>Julio, W4HY