[TowerTalk] Rotor change out question

[hdmc38 at bellsouth.net]

Hello Tony

  The 2 thrust bearing method works well if you run 2 TB. If you don't take a piece of angle iron and a saddle clamp. Make sure the angle iron is long and strong enough to slide thru the tower with about 3" sticking out each side. You will have already drilled the holes for the saddle clamp in the center of the angle iron for the saddle clamp. Slide the angle iron thru the tower and let it rest on the flat part of the Z bracing. Install the saddle clamp around the mast to the angle and tighten it loosely. Use 2 pair of vice grips to secure each end of angle iron to the tower. back off the thrust bearing bolts so the mast can move up vertically. Now use the come along after loosening the rotor to mast clamp bolts to raise the mast enough to remove the rotor and tighten the saddle clamp to the mast. Then re-tighten the thrust bearing bolts. Be sure to watch your feed line so you don't stretch or pull it apart. You now have the mast raised up and supported in 2 places the thrust bearing and the angle iron jig you fabricated. This method will give you 2 support places of support when the mast is raised and also keep the mast from turning and flopping around.Pull out the rotor and reinstall the new one. It really helps to have 2 people on the tower for the extra pair of hands. Alot depends on how you set up the mast/bearing when first installed. I do have 1 question for you. If your thinking off changing your rotor is it because something does not work or your just thinking about. If it ain't broke don't fix it! Good luck, Always have a plan and start as early as possible.

73  Joe Patrick K4XZ