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

[K7LXC at aol.com]

Howdy, TowerTalkians --
 
    These were posted purported to be from US Towers.  

> QUESTION : Cable replacement and maintenance.
> 
>  ANSWER : We recommend that you replace your cables every three years, 
with  regular inspection of
> 
> the cables. You need to look for any  rust, broken strains and/or 
kinking. We do not recommend
> 
>  lubricating the cables as can cause a more serious damage to them.
 
    This is known as a WEASEL CLAUSE so that if you  don't replace the 
cables every 3 years, they can WEASEL OUT of any liability.  Yes, rust, broken 
strands and/or kinking are the CORRECT reasons to replace the  cables but in 
almost all cases, it is unnecessary under any normal amateur  tower use I've 
ever seen. I'd be shocked to see a 3-year old cable that has  the 
aforementioned abnormalities. 

> QUESTION : Can the cables be  lubricated?
> 
> ANSWER : We do not recommend lubricating the  cables. The lubrication 
only attracts dirt and debris
> 
> causing  cuts and scarring into the cable resulting in a shortened cable 
life span.
 
    Lady and gentlemen, this information is WRONG! UST  is NOT the 
manufacturer of the cable/wire rope used in their tower. The ACTUAL  wire rope 
manufacturers say that you SHOULD lubricate the cables. They come from  the wire 
rope factory pre-lubricated from manufacturing. Besides keeping out  grit 
and grime, the light-weight oil that is absorbed into the  strands actually 
lubricates the strands. They move around slightly as the  cable moves over 
pulleys and they do need periodic lubricating. If you have a  crank-up that 
creaks and groans as it's raised or lowered, after lubrication  it'll be eerily 
quiet in operation - a vivid illustration. 
 
    Lubricating the cables does not violate the LXC  Prime Directive to "DO 
what the manufacturer says" since UST is NOT the wire  rope manufacturer. 
 
Cheers,
Steve      K7LXC
TOWER TECH -
Professional tower services for hams
and
US Tower factory authorized installer
Cell: 206-890-4188