[TowerTalk] Regarding Worm Gear Drive Winches

[John Ammeter]

I have a TX472 and I replaced the original winch with a worm gear.  I 
use a Milwaukee Hole Hawg drill to run the tower up and down.  BTW, I 
tried two other "lesser" drills and found them lacking in the torque 
needed to lift the tower.  The Hole Hawg easily runs the tower up.  The 
worm gear has enough drag that it won't run in reverse "on its own" from 
the weight of the tower.

John KE7JA


Brad Pioveson W9FX wrote:
> Here's a question for the ME's.  Can a worm gear drive winch without a brake system safely be used on a telescoping tower - which tower does not have a latching mechanism to support the tower in the extended position?
>
> In other words, can a worm gear drive winch be reverse driven such that the tower can fall in the absence of a braking mechanism?
>
> I have a TriEx W-51 tower that came from the factory equipped with a worm gear drive winch.  When I received the tower, the winch handle was missing.  If I do not replace the handle, I can likely drive the tower up and down using a 1/2" low speed rt angle electric drill.  If, however, the handle needs to be there and if said handle needs to be locked in place to prevent self-unspooling of the cable, then I had best find a handle...
>
> 73
>
> Brad, W9FX
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