[TowerTalk] Re: Thrust bearing

[kb9cry at comcast.net]

I have TB-3 on my towers and what I do is set the mast down into and resting on the rotator.  I center the mast in the thrust bearing and tighten the collar screws, really just to keep it centered.  I then install a small SS pipe clamp onto the mast and move it down the mast so it is up against the top of the bearing.  I then install the antenna.  My assumption is that some of the additional load from the antenna is being borne by the TB.  Seems to work for me.  If I need to remove the rotator, I've installed another pipe clamp up the mast above the top bearing plate and used a small scissors jack to jack the mast assembly up and out of the rotator.  On the new tower I might attach a come-along to a clamp attached on the mast just above the rotator and jack it up that way.  Phil  KB9CRY

-------------- Original message -------------- 

> Agreed with everthing except the statement. "...Then make sure the 
> collar can rotate around the mast without binding".. Seems to defeat the 
> point of having a thrust bearing? Why not have just a collar then? I 
> think the bolts in the thrust bearing should be tightly holding the mast 
> or at least very snug. Not bearing weight but enough to support any 
> lateral movement. Your method would cause the bolts to eventually scar 
> the mast even though you say the clearance is minimal, unless one used 
> shims. 
> 
> I'm curious haw many people who utilize thrust bearings, allow the 
> bearing to "rotate around the mast" or make sure the mast and bearing 
> are tight and rotate together? 
> 
> 
> Noel 
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________ 
> 
> See: http://www.mscomputer.com for "Self Supporting Towers", "Wireless Weather 
> Stations", and lot's more. Call Toll Free, 1-800-333-9041 with any questions 
> and ask for Sherman, W2FLA. 
> 
> _______________________________________________ 
> TowerTalk mailing list 
> TowerTalk at contesting.com 
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk