[TowerTalk] Thrust Bearing Protection

[Tom Anderson]

The rubber end of a plunger (plumber's friend) works too, although you may have to enlarge the opening.

Tom, WW5L

--- On Sat, 10/15/11, Gene Smar <ersmar at verizon.net> wrote:

> From: Gene Smar <ersmar at verizon.net>
> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Thrust Bearing Protection
> To: "Perry - K4PWO" <k4pwo at comcast.net>, TowerTalk at contesting.com
> Date: Saturday, October 15, 2011, 10:10 AM
> TT:
> 
>      I used a plastic funnel (Home
> Despot) with the neck cut down a bit to 
> almost fit the mast.  Then I split the top of the
> remaining platic into 
> slits to slide over the mast.  I sealed this with a SS
> hose clamp and 
> caulking.  Here's a photo:  http://tinyurl.com/3bv2zac .
> 
> 73 de
> Gene Smar  AD3F
> 
> 
> 
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Perry - K4PWO" <k4pwo at comcast.net>
> To: <TowerTalk at contesting.com>
> Sent: Saturday, October 15, 2011 3:33 AM
> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Thrust Bearing Protection
> 
> 
> >I used a standard rubber roof vent seal for a vent
> stack.  I just cut the
> > "bell" part out of the base and used that.  It
> looks a little lop sided
> > since it was designed for the roof slope but it covers
> the bearing very
> > well.
> >
> > 73 de Perry - K4PWO
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: towertalk-bounces at contesting.com
> > [mailto:towertalk-bounces at contesting.com]
> On Behalf Of Dan Hearn
> > Sent: Friday, October 14, 2011 9:59 PM
> > To: towertalk reflector
> > Subject: [TowerTalk] Thrust Bearing Protection
> >
> > When my 131 ft UST crankup arrived it had a 2 7/8
> chrome moly mast with a
> > nice top bearing. The bearing has a zerk fitting and I
> was concerned that
> > water would stand in the top of the bearing. In order
> to prevent that I
> > picked up a rubber feeding bowl at a local farm store.
> As I recall it was
> > about 8 inches or so in diameter and possibly 4 inches
> deep. I cut a hole 
> > in
> > the center which would pass the mast but was a tight
> fit. This can be 
> > lifted
> > up and will stay gripped to the mast when I want to
> grease the bearing.
> >  Unfortunately I was not wise enough to do this
> before the mast was
> > inserted into the tower so I cut a slit from the
> center to the outside of
> > the bowl and was able to twist the bowl to slip it
> onto the mast. I had
> > installed a strip of aluminum where the cut was made
> held with some 
> > screws.
> > Possibly one could use silicone rubber cement to seal
> the cut or something
> > else. It has been up for 10 years with no problems
> >
> > -- 
> > Dan Hearn
> > N5AR
> > _______________________________________________
> >
> >
> >
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