[TowerTalk] Crank-ups.....do NOT lubricate your cables from US tower

[Steve Maki]

Yes.

As someone else mentioned, location will have some effect on optimum 
maintenance, but at least in rust prone areas, some form of penetrating 
lubricant is definitely indicated. I can't think of an application 
involving steel cable, where the owner wishes to measure cable life in 
decades rather than years (broadcast tower guys, suspension bridge 
cables, etc.), where regular inspection and application of an engineered 
penetrating lube (or paint) is not done.

-Steve K8LX

On 9/3/2012 8:22 PM, Jim Lux wrote:

> I suspect that rigging companies and crane ops also do regular
> inspection and cleaning of those cables too, just like the ones on
> gondola and chair lifts. On Sep 3, 2012, at 17:05, Steve Maki
> <lists at oakcom.org> wrote:

>> I wonder why crane companies keep their cables (on million dollar
>> cranes) lubed religiously?
>>
>> On this particular topic, I would not place much faith in the
>> manufacturer's edicts, unless you're looking for a reason to keep
>> busy replacing the cables more often than otherwise needed.