[TowerTalk] Tower removal. Gin Pole or something else?

[K8RI]

On 10/15/2012 6:47 PM, Dan Cisson wrote:
> Mike,, I have been doing tower work for almost 30 yrs. First of all,
> those Rohn gin poles
> are a joke to me...They take too long just to move the pole from one
> section to another.(clamps)

Two of us, both in our 60's, me on the tower the other handling ropes, 
using a ROHN Gin Pole, removed a 2-mete yagi, the big Wilson tribander 
and had the tower down in less than an hour.

> I made my own pole from 2 1/2 inch square aluminum thick wall. I have
> hooks that are

I now use a a home made gin pole with leg clamps.  It has the capability 
of extending well above the tower top so I can lift 24' masts and lower 
them into the tower. I typically attach to the middle of the 24' mast 
and add a half hitch , 2 to 3 feet above it to keep the mast vertical, 
so I need at least a 15 foot reach.

Yes, it works easier with two clamps if only one person is working at 
the time, but ... To lower (or raise) a single clamp pole, I add a 
pulley to the top of the current section, slide the pole down in the 
clamp, hook the rope from the pulley to the clamp, release the clamp, 
the person on the ground holding the rope, lowers the clamp to the next 
section, I attach the clamp and then go back up a bit less than 10 feet 
to move the pulley down to the top of the section to which the Gin Pole 
is attached.

10 minutes a section, including moving the Gin Pole leaves a comfortable 
margin...IF EVERYTHING IS READY ahead of time.

Yes, using hooks would be far easier, but I would add a simple safety to 
prevent the pole from being lifted accidentally.

BTW, I've never had to pull a section down. They tend to want to go that 
way as soon as they are clear of the tower<:-))

OTOH I'd not recommend the Gin Pole approach for those who are not in 
good shape and accustomed to tower climbing. Also make certain to use 
proper safety equipment including a full body harness with fall arrest.


73

Roger (K8RI)


> bolted to the base of the pole. My pole will fit Rohn 25, 45, and 55
> without any adjustments.
> The hooks utilize the angles of the tower.,,so that when in position to
> lift up a section,,the
> pole can not move laterally at all cause the hooks are riding down the
> angles. It is critical
> that the hooks bottom out at the same time to eliminate slop. ...So,,
> with this situation, I
> can send a section to the ground, lift up the pole and set it on the top
> of the second section
> down, and the rope will be thru the pulley atop the pole and tied off 1
> foot down from
> the top of the section I am removing.  My gin poles are 14 ft long. So
> to get you the proper picture,,
> when I send down a section,, if you looked up,, there would be 10 ft of
> gin pole above
> the tower,,and 4 ft attached to the top of the tower---then I have to
> move it down and do it
> all over again.  I can move my gin pole one handed.--there are no
> clamps. I could send you some
> pics if you like... Dan  N4GNR
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Mike Lyon" <mike.lyon at gmail.com>
> To: "Dan Cisson" <n4gnr at windstream.net>
> Cc: <towertalk at contesting.com>
> Sent: Monday, October 15, 2012 5:25 PM
> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Tower removal. Gin Pole or something else?
>
>
>> Pulling each section down with a gin pole would require moving the gin
>> pole
>> down after each section removal. So wouldn't you need 2 clamps on the
>> bottom of the gin pole and then one mid way up to secure the gin pole
>> when
>> lowering it down a section when lowing the bottom clamps?
>>
>> Thanks,
>> Mike
>>
>>
>> On Mon, Oct 15, 2012 at 2:25 PM, Dan Cisson <n4gnr at windstream.net> wrote:
>>
>>> Takes forever ??? I can not understand that...,, as long as there is
>>> not rust in the joints, you should be able to get it down in less
>>> than an
>>> hour
>>> by gin pole.  If you don't mind paying a little,, a bucket truck is
>>> quicker, as
>>> long as they can get close by the tower..Actually, my bucket truck
>>> "basket"is rated for 500lbs,
>>> and could pick up the entire tower.  Other practices are to hinge the
>>> base, or set pulleys
>>> on a pole or tree and lay it down.. However, this likely may mess up the
>>> base section at
>>> ground level.. Your question needs more info on how the base section is
>>> attached to foundation
>>> for faster alternatives.
>>> That would answer the overall best way to do it,, but gin pole is
>>> quick...Good Luck,, Dan N4GNR
>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Mike Lyon" <mike.lyon at gmail.com>
>>> To: <towertalk at contesting.com>
>>> Sent: Monday, October 15, 2012 4:59 PM
>>>
>>> Subject: [TowerTalk] Tower removal. Gin Pole or something else?
>>>
>>>
>>>  Howdy,
>>>>
>>>> So I have erected many towers using a standard 12 foot gin pole, works
>>>> great, but takes forever. However, what is the best practice these days
>>>> for
>>>> removing a 50-60 ft Rohn 25 tower? Gin pole or is there an easier way?
>>>>
>>>> Thanks,
>>>> Mike
>>>> ______________________________**_________________
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
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>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> Mike Lyon
>> 408-621-4826
>> mike.lyon at gmail.com
>>
>> http://www.linkedin.com/in/mlyon
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