[TowerTalk] crankup winch cable ... etc.

[K7LXC at aol.com]

In a message dated 5/10/2008 7:17:47 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time,  
towertalk-request at contesting.com writes:

>  This is very simple.  If it's meant to move, like a  crankup,  it MUST  
be moved regularly.


    You mean like exercising it on a regular basis?  I totally agree. 
 
>  And lubed generously.   
 
    Define generously. A regular application is  recommended. As long as the 
strands are saturated, you're good to go. 
 
>  If you let it sit, it will ossify, much like your own  backside.
 
    Well, galvanized 7x19 wire rope will oxidize over  time. But losing the 
galvanizing and rusting takes a long time. I've  seen 15-20+ year old crank-ups 
that hadn't been lubed in decades - maybe  never - and they were okay. 
Certainly not bad enough to replace. 

>  2-3 times a month is not unreasonable.
 
    Maybe not unreasonable but highly impractical. If  you lube your cables 
once a year, you're ahead of 90% of crank-up owners. In  that year, the 
lightweight lubricant will be washed out in several months but  will still be helpful 
in prolonging the life of the cables. 
 
    I don't know of anyone who actually can or will  lube the cables 2-3 time 
a month. In situations where a cable moves many times  everyday like in a big 
welding shop or rigging shop, then 2-3 times  a month might be necessary. Do 
they do it that often? Maybe. 
 
    I guess my advice is to do as often as you can -  once or twice a year 
would be pretty good. 
 
    The cable lubricant recommended by wire rope  manufacturers can be 
obtained from _www.championradio.com_ (http://www.championradio.com) . 
 
Cheers,
Steve    K7LXC
TOWER TECH 
and 
Champion Radio Products
Cell: 206-890-4188








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