[TowerTalk] Attaching winch cable to Universal Tower

[john at kk9a.com]

You recently posted the same question, I wonder if you are seeing the
responses.  I raised a 70' Universal Tower by wrapping a strap around one
of the lower stronger sections and tilting it up using a tow truck. My
strap went around one of the legs and cross braces. These towers are very
light and I see no reason that you could not attach a permanent wire cable
the same way.

John KK9A


To:	towertalk at contesting.com
Subject:	[TowerTalk] Attaching winch cable to Universal Tower
From:	Kirk Kendrick <kmkendrick at gmail.com>
Date:	Sun, 27 Dec 2015 15:22:00 -0600


Looking to you Tower Elmers for guidance:

QUESTION:  What's the best method to attach a raising cable to an aluminum
tower?

I'm looking for ideas on how to attach a winch cable to raise and lower an
HD 21-50 Universal Tower with about 100# of antenna gear at the top.  I'm
worried that the forces during tilt up/down could damage or deform the
aluminum tower near the attachment point. Anyone have a design of an
attachment method/fixture that minimizes this risk?

I'm NOT looking for a "temporary" solution (that is, no "lifting straps"
that would deteriorate in the weather). The gin pole, winch, and cable will
remain attached so the tower can be lowered (by one person) whenever
needed. My hope is that the tower and raising fixture will be up for years
of service.

NOTE:  My plan is a raising fixture consisting of a 20' gin pole with back
stay, winch bolted to gin pole, cable from winch through pulley at top of
gin pole to an attachment point 20-25' up the tower.

I'm sure folks have already solved this attachment issue...and can share
successes (& approaches to avoid)

Tnx in advance,
Kirk KK2Z