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

[John E. Cleeve]

Looking at the available information on the use and care of wire rope, the
attached link may be of interest:-

http://www.wescovan.com/catalogs/handling&maintenance.pdf


73, John G3JVC/GM3JVC.



> Date: Mon, 3 Sep 2012 17:22:15 -0700
> From: Jim Lux <jimlux at earthlink.net>
> To: Steve Maki <lists at oakcom.org>
> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Crank-ups.....do NOT lubricate your cables
> from US tower
>
> 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.
>>
>> -Steve K8LX
>
> ##  all the local ship yards around here  have  55 gallon drums   of
> pre-lube 6, 9,  + 11.  This stuff is literally
> poured onto those cables, right at the drum, via an oiler device.   Its
> just penetrating oil, to lubricate the inner strands.
> Nobody is changing cables every 3 years.   UST also wants me  to check the
> oil in the gearbox every month, and also
> change it out every 2 years.   Turns out those hub city gear boxes were
> never meant to be used for lifting applications.
> They were  designed for stuff like conveyor belts, etc.   They are
> actually called ....speed reducers.   They were never intended for
> a hoist application.   The  UST control box on the tower is not water
> proof nor is enclosed in anything remotely  close
> to a nema box.   Whoever designed their anchor bolt configuration + rebar
> cage  on the HDX-689 was clueless.  Neither
> meet any spec here in town.   If you put a 14 foot mast out the top of
> their tower, you can kiss that 70 mph rating goodbye.
> I wouldn’t be using the UBC-97  exposure B  specs either, use exposure
> C,  or use the  RS-222  rev g specs....if you can find em.
>
> The story I got from the crane and ship yard folks is...   without the use
> of the various grades of prelube  slopped  onto the
> cables, the inner strands can rub together..and break.   You cant see
> internal damage  from the outside.
>
> It would be nice if  UST provided detailed instructions on  how to
> re-cable their towers.  They insist you recable their
> towers, but then wont provide the info.   Check out their info on how much
> torque required for both the anchor bolts  +
> leg bolts..... answer,  snug fit.   What kinda  BS  answer is that.
>
> Jim  VE7RF
>
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