[TowerTalk] How to apply lube to HDX589

[Patrick Greenlee]

Lots of talk about rust. Is rust the only failure indicator besides broken 
strands?  The strands slip back and forth against each other as they go 
around a pulley.  Do they wear out and break with no visible outward 
indication?  What do you look for, if anything, besides rust and broken 
strands?

I am refurbing a used tower. There are "aircraft rated" cables available as 
well as galvanized cables and stainless steel cables.  What are the chief 
selection criteria to use in determining which of these to use?

Also, I want to replace the turning block (pulley that reverses the 
direction of motion) on this crankup tower.  Is there any reason I shouldn't 
replace it with one significantly larger in diameter so long as it is a good 
fit to the diameter of the cable? I would think that this would be kinder 
and gentler on the cable.

Patrick AF5CK

-----Original Message----- 
From: Bob K6UJ
Sent: Thursday, June 13, 2013 12:59 PM
Cc: towertalk reflector
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] How to apply lube to HDX589

Steve,

I am with you on this.  Pre lube is more of a corrosion/rust inhibiter than 
a lubricant.  Its value lies in the fact that it wicks into the inner
strands and will prevent rusting if applied on a regular schedule.  It 
doesnt leave an oily film on the outside of the cable.
This is the stuff to use and not grease or oil which leave the outside of 
the cables oily and they will collect dust and dirt like crazy, not good at 
all,
plus their penetration into the inner strands is minimal.  The way I look at 
it do not apply Pre Lube  and replace your cables in 5 to 6 years max.  (I 
have done
this twice on my towers) or regularly maintain your cable with a Pre Lube 
treatment and go for a long, long, time.  I have 12 years on my HDX589 
cables using Pre Lube
and still no signs of rust.  A local ham friend, KD6T, has over 20 years on 
his tower cables using Pre lube and they show no rusting.


Bob
K6UJ


On Jun 13, 2013, at 8:41 AM, Steve Dyer wrote:

> K7LXC breaks the prime directive for lubricating crank-up cables. He sells 
> Prelube 6 on his site and recommends using it. And yes, any professional 
> user of wire rope always lubricates their cables on a regular 
> maintenance/inspection schedule.
> It baffles me why anyone would not lube the cable with the *proper* 
> lubricant since the cable is THE critical link in a crank-up.
> It's a testament to how well the cable holds up that more failures haven't 
> occurred. That and it's way over-sized to the load.
> 73,
> Steve
> W1SRD
>
>
>
>
> ________________________________
> From: "john at kk9a.com" <john at kk9a.com>
> To: towertalk at contesting.com
> Sent: Thursday, June 13, 2013 7:12 AM
> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] How to apply lube to HDX589
>
>
> Lubricating the cable does go against the K7LXC prime directive. US towers
> recommends replacing the cable every three years.
>
> Most wire rope is lubricated during manufacturing. Lubrication does two
> things:
>
> Reduces friction as the individual wires move over each other.
>
> Provides corrosion protection and lubrication in the core and inside wires
> and on the exterior surfaces.
>
> If I owned a crank-up tower I would keep the cables lubricated and only
> change them if there was noticeable corrosion or broken strands .
>
> John KK9A
>
>
>
> To:     Bryan Swadener <bswadener at yahoo.com>
> Subject:     Re: [TowerTalk] How to apply lube to HDX589
> From:     Andre VanWyk <kr5dx at yahoo.com>
> Date:     Wed, 12 Jun 2013 22:45:37 -0400
>
>
> I am missing something here as US Tower advises against lubricating 
> cables.
>
> What are you gaining by lubricating cable? I my opinion if a un-lubricated
> galvanized cable shows signs of rust, it is time to replace it.
>
> 73's
> NJ0F
>
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