[TowerTalk] Thrust Bearing...

[Grant Saviers]

My 2 cents, having two HDX589s and a TMM433.

I don't think you need a thrust bearing, if your tower has the welded in 
sleeve for a 2" mast. I think this is standard on all the current UST 
crank-ups.

The sleeve will handle side loads well beyond the TX438 rated wind load 
and your rotator will handle the weight load.

I had a TB3 on 85' of Rohn 25 a while ago, and it failed.  If you don't 
have a sleeve and need a bearing to handle side (radial) loads then I 
think boring a mast sized hole in a top plate of 2" thick MDS Nylon 
(Nylatron GS) or UHMW is a better approach.  A polymer sleeve bearing 
will last a long time at the antenna rotational speeds and loads and 
requires no maintenance.  Both materials are UV sensitive, but not much 
of a worry in 2" thickness, or just paint them.  I've found remnants on 
ebay at good prices.

Grant  KZ1W


On 1/6/2013 7:20 PM, Stan Stockton wrote:
> My opinion, unless you are putting up something bigger than what a TX-438 tower is rated to handle, is that it is a waste of about a hundred bucks to use anything more expensive than a four bolt flange  bearing with a clamp on the mast resting on the bearing collar so you are not relying on set screws.  You can spend $160 for a TB-3 or you can spend $30-40 on something that will do the job just fine.  That has been my experience anyway.
>
> 73...Stan, K5GO
>
> Sent from my iPad
>
> On Jan 6, 2013, at 11:40 AM, Dave Cole <dave at nk7z.net> wrote:
>
>> Hi,
>>
>> I am looking for a general education on Thrust Bearings...  My tower,
>> (TX-438), did not come with one, and I am looking to get one...
>>
>> Are they rated by size, or is each bearing pretty well made for each
>> tower?
>>
>> -- 
>> 73's and Thanks,
>> Dave
>> http://www.nk7z.net for equipment reviews, propagation, and more...
>>
>>
>>
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