[TowerTalk] Crankup Danger

[Les Kalmus]

I have the same tower.

I block it with the largest wooden pieces I can jam through so there is 
as little play as possible.
You must make sure every section is blocked and can't move.

Then I lower it until the wood is slightly compressed and the tower 
can't move at all.

Les W2LK


On 8/2/2013 10:30 AM, Bob K6UJ wrote:
> Me again,
> How do you guys with the motorized towers block your towers ?  I am thinking of using 1 inch water pipe.
> And where do you block it ?  Since it telescopes, do you you put blocking through every section ?
>
> Bob
> K6UJ
>
>
>
> On Aug 2, 2013, at 7:22 AM, Bob K6UJ wrote:
>
>> Following this thread made me realize I will now block my motorized tower before climbing.
>> I have a US Tower HDX-589MDPL and I have been lowering it down till it stops then climbing.
>> But as pointed out, it is supported by the lift cable even when all the way retracted.
>> Thanks for the info guys !
>>
>> Bob
>> K6UJ
>>
>>
>>
>> On Aug 2, 2013, at 6:53 AM, Patrick Greenlee wrote:
>>
>>> Thanks for your response.
>>>
>>> In my situation I have no zoning concerns, no inspections, no home owners association, or such.  I am subject to FAA concerns if the tower is tall enough (red and white alternating paint and lights.)  I do have neighbors but the nearest are 1/4 mile away and not in the “kill zone” of anything I would put up. I have a small black Angus cattle ranch (cow-calf operation) on 160 acres so I can get pretty wild with sky wire and such if I want.
>>>
>>> Patrick AF5CK
>>>
>>> From: Bryan Swadener
>>> Sent: Thursday, August 01, 2013 7:12 PM
>>> To: towertalk at contesting.com
>>> Cc: patrick_g at windstream.net
>>> Subject: Re: Crankup Danger
>>>
>>> Patrick,
>>>
>>> Yes and yes. I installed a 3-section 72 foot tower (US Tower TX472)
>>> last July with the optional tiltover fixture. The tower manufacturer
>>> clearly states that thou shalt not climb ye olde tower. In fact, with
>>> motorized drive, I can have the tower up/down a lot faster than
>>> I can climb it. Having it down and tilted over also means not having
>>> to be concerned that I have all the parts and tools before climbing it.
>>>
>>> My concern is the condition of your tower (mine came to me in perfect
>>> shape) and the modifications to it.  If you are required to have a permit,
>>> your zoning and permitting agency may require wet-stamped plans for
>>> your particular installation, from a Professional Structural Engineer who
>>> is licensed in your state.  My county building department required it for
>>> any tower structure over 35 feet tall that is not part of an existing structure.
>>> I hired Hank, KR7X and he supplied me with everything I needed.  I
>>> suggest you look into the permitting requirements BEFORE investing
>>> a lot of time/effort/money into your tower.
>>>
>>> vy 73,
>>> Bryan WA7PRC
>>>
>>> Date: Thu, 1 Aug 2013 13:45:07 -0500
>>> From: Patrick AF5CK
>>> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Crankup Danger
>>>
>>> Wouldn't you ordinarily lower a crank-up tower before climbing? If it were a
>>> tilt over as well wouldn't you tilt it over instead of climbing it?
>>>
>>> Patrick AF5CK
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: Wilson
>>> Sent: Thursday, August 01, 2013 1:22 PM
>>> Subject: [TowerTalk] Crankup Danger
>>>
>>> Well, if the tower should telescope while you are on it, the shearing off of
>>> fingers and the front of your feet might be considered an undesirable
>>> possibility.
>>> If you are on an upper section when the collapse occurs, you might get by
>>> with just some foot damage and being thrown to the ground as the section you
>>> are on drops into the next one down...
>>> Your plan is much like the old EZWay towers.  There's a book for the two
>>> section 40 footer on BAMA.      http://bama.edebris.com/manuals/ezway/rbs40
>>> WL
>>> _______________________________________________
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
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>>> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
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>>
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