[TowerTalk] How to apply lube to HDX589

Bert Almemo balmemo at sympatico.ca
Sat Jun 15 13:21:06 EDT 2013


Hi Bob,

With locking devices in place cables and sheaves would last much longer.

73 Bert, VE3NR 

PS. Stainless steel cables is not such a good idea according to the experts.
Galvanized is better as it's to some extent self lubricating.



-----Original Message-----
From: TowerTalk [mailto:towertalk-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Bob
K6UJ
Sent: Saturday, June 15, 2013 12:28 PM
To: TOWERTALK at contesting.com reflector
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] How to apply lube to HDX589

Bert,

Sounds like a good option to me Bert.  I guess it is a cost issue with the
tower company.
They would need to charge more for the locking device addition and would
this addition have a positive impact on sales ?  Maybe they could offer this
an option.

The bigee for me is the cables and sheaves.  I would like to see an option
(which I would gladly pay for) to have stainless steel cables and sheaves
with zerk fittings so I could grease them regularly with my grease gun
like I do the thrust bearings on the mast.  That would be super.   I think
these options would pay for themselves,
I have hired to have the cables and bad sheaves replaced and it aint cheap
!!

73,
Bob
K6UJ


On Jun 15, 2013, at 9:12 AM, Bert Almemo wrote:

> If you used a locking device on each section cables wouldn't be such a 
> big issue and would last a lot longer. Many european crank-up tower 
> manufacturers use locking devices on their towers. Versatower in one 
> of them.
> 
> How come US mfgrs don't use the same devices? Has anyone asked the US 
> mfgrs why they don't use section locks? Maybe someone can pick up on 
> the idea and make aftermarket locks? There is definitely room for
improvement!!
> 
> Locking each section would dramatically increase safety and you 
> wouldn't have to read about towers coming down killing people and damaging
equipment.
> OMHO! 
> 
> 73 Bert, VE3NR
> 
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: TowerTalk [mailto:towertalk-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of 
> Andre VanWyk
> Sent: Thursday, June 13, 2013 1:39 PM
> To: Steve Dyer
> Cc: towertalk at contesting.com; john at kk9a.com
> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] How to apply lube to HDX589
> 
> Well I never heard of a crank up tower that failed because the cables 
> were not lubricated PROVIDING manufacturer guidelines are followed and 
> cables are changed when required.
> 
> I think we as hams tend to both try to reinvent the wheel too many 
> times. If it ain't broken, don't fix it!
> 
> NJ0F
> 
> Sent from my iPhone
> 
> On Jun 13, 2013, at 11:41 AM, Steve Dyer <w1srd at yahoo.com> 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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