[TowerTalk] TX-472 was stuck...

[Alan NV8A]

US Tower told me (and others) that they now recommend beeswax rather 
than grease for lubricating the tower sections.

73

Alan NV8A


On 12/21/07 09:25 pm John Ammeter wrote:

> I've just installed a used TX-472 tower here.  So far, I have a 2M/440 
> omni and an inverted V 80 meter wire antenna on it.  A couple days ago I 
> attempted to lower it in anticipation of installing my new SteppIR 3L 
> antenna plus installing a worm gear winch for raising/lowering the tower.
> 
> As I was retracting the tower the top section stuck at about the 50 foot 
> level. The lower sections would continue to retract but the topmost 
> section wasn't coming down with them.  I tried shaking the tower by 
> pulling on the 80 meter wire with no luck, still stuck...
> 
> Today, I put a 32 foot extension ladder against the tower and was able 
> to get within a couple feet of the point where it was stuck.  A crowbar 
> broke it free and, even though it did stick twice more on the way down, 
> I was able to completely retract it.  I found that the plate on the 
> bottom of the innermost tower section where the cable was fastened had 
> been bent outward enough that it was catching on the bars of the next 
> tower section.  A "come-along" and some careful application of an 8 
> pound sledge hammer cured that problem.
> 
> My plan is to fasten a length of chain onto the innermost section so 
> that if it sticks again I'll be able to carefully apply a positive 
> downward force on the tower.  I'm also going to liberally spread some 
> grease on the bearing surfaces of the tower.
> 
> Any thoughts or ideas on my situation and plans? 
> 
> John KE7JGB