[TowerTalk] Anyone using the Fulton KW3000 worm drive?

[Rick Karlquist]

I replaced a K2550 with a W3000.  When cranking up, there is a considerable
increase in effort due to the friction of the worm drive.  The additional
2:1 gear reduction of the W3000 approximately cancels this out.  Cranking
down is probably less effort than the K2550, since there is no break
to fool with.  I found it necessary to heavily lubricate the winch,
smothering the moving parts in grease.  Unfortunately, it is difficult
to get the grease to really penetrate.  The last time I used the W3000,
it started squeeking on the way up.  This is apparently due to the
worm bushing spinning.  The winch gets fairly hot in use; I don't
think it is designed for the kind of duty cycle involved with raising
a tower.  I plan on replacing it with a boat lift winch (see:
http://www.w4abc.com/drive.html).  These winches make the W3000
look like a toy.  In your case, the W3000 may be
oversize for your tower (since it came with a K1550) and it
may work out for you better than it has for me.

Rick N6RK


Fredric T. Serota wrote:
> I replaced the K1550 on my US towers 55 ft crank over a few years ago with
> a K2550. Now it needs repair or replacement and I was thinking or using
> the KW3000 as an upgrade and because the handle would be in a much more
> convenient location, off the back of the tilt over fixture. (The 2550
> handle rubs the side of the tilt over fixture and is wearing the paint and
> baring the metal. Anyone have any experience with this winch and it
> suitability as a replacement?
>
> Fred, K3BHX
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