[TowerTalk] Pulling long length of 7/8 hardline in conduit

[Patrick Greenlee]

Gentle turn radius sweeps can be made for 3 or 4 inch diameter PVC  DYI 
using a heat gun (cheap one from Harbor Freight) by heating sand filled 
PVC conduit.  The sand keeps the PVC conduit from collapsing and kinking 
and is easily removed when done.  Do not heat near the end or continue 
the bend too close to the end as it can distort the shape and make  it 
not fit into a fitting.

Patrick        NJ5G


On 9/3/2016 8:47 AM, Grant Saviers wrote:
> I think this is all great advice - I'd add a bit more
>
> Use pull tape or braided rope so you don't put twist into the cables 
> when being pulled.  Pull tape comes in various sizes and strengths, 
> something around 3/4" sounds right.  7/16" braid would be ok. 
> Polyester lines are fairly cheap on ebay.
>
> Most important: install the biggest radius sweeps you can buy for the 
> hardline.  At least 48", 60" might be available.  If the larger ones 
> are only available sch 80 then the couplings might leave an edge to 
> catch the pull so check the ID match.  I second the idea of a separate 
> conduit for other lines.  With three x 3" conduit x 120' I have 2x 
> LDF5 + 1x  LDF4 in one,  2 x LDF4 and 1x LDF5, and control wires in a 
> third.
>
> There are end bushings that chafe guard the open ends, use them as the 
> bare conduit edge easily  strips insulation from wires.  If you can 
> suspend the hardline reel above the feed-in point this is much better.
>
> If the 7/8 is AVA5 you need to be *extremely* careful because the very 
> thin shield is easy to dent.  LDF5 is much more forgiving. In either 
> case the number of large radius bends you have isn't a problem, check 
> the specs for minimum radius repeat bending life. I'm not a fan of 
> adding  conduit to the full length, too many chances for a dent or 
> glue in the wrong place or dirt, especially with the length you are 
> installing.   Feeding thru the sweeps is tricky.
>
> One post from a cell installer said they refuse delivery of any AVA 
> reels shipped on their side since it is so easy to damage. Direct 
> burial of 7/8 and larger AVA sounds very risky to me unless in a full 
> sand bedding. You didn't mention the hardline you will install.
>
> If you can borrow a capstan winch with a foot switch that is the most 
> controllable means to adjust the pull rate and tension.  How the pros 
> do it.  With a car or lawn tractor you have little feel for the 
> tension.  Another choice is to rig some blocks or chain fall above the 
> pull out and pull in segments.  If the tower is at the exit then this 
> is easier.
>
> I'd use a Kellems pull grip for the bundle.  The pull Kellems have a 
> swivel that further reduces the chance for twisting, check ebay for 
> used ones.
>
> A team of 4 or so is needed, talk it through and go slow with plenty 
> of lube.
>
> Something I haven't tried but might help is to prelube the conduit 
> with a several mouse pulls both ways.  Maybe a grouting sponge would 
> be a good mouse.
>
> Good luck,
>
> Grant KZ1W
>
> On 9/2/2016 12:23 PM, Mike Smith VE9AA wrote:
>> Having been an apprentice electrician in a former life for a few yrs, 
>> and
>> having only a 160' run of 4" conduit with wires and hardline I can only
>> offer
>>
>> some partial advice.  Take it as offered.
>>
>>
>> -Use more lube than you think you'll need. (lube it ever 30-40', not 
>> just
>> the nose of the pull)
>>
>> -Tape everything really really really good.
>>
>> -Leave a flap of tape so when you unwrap the hardline from the rope 
>> it'll be
>> easy (unless you plan on just cutting the hardline and rope)
>>
>> -If you can, pull all the wires at the same time.
>>
>> -Pull a pull string in with your hardline (instead of trying to put a 
>> mouse
>> or fish tape through next)
>>
>> -Keep your hardline and 2nd pull string on spools if at all possible. 
>> (don't
>> ask)
>>
>> -Put a 2nd conduit down for your other wires?
>>
>> -If you can see both ends, you can yell to the guy driving the lawn 
>> tractor
>> (or otherwise controlling the pull) otherwise, handi-talki's are 
>> manadatory.
>> I've seen pulls go bad
>>
>> and wires having to be replaced as something got tangled and wrecked 
>> (even
>> on a manual pull) so communication is key.
>>
>> -When doing the pull it will be imperative to have someone feeding 
>> (pushing
>> almost) the hardline in so it doesn't get gouged, scraped or bent, while
>> someone else is pulling.
>>
>> Likely you're looking at a lawn tractor or car or something doing the 
>> pull.
>>
>>
>> This sounds like a real doozy of a pull.  Reminds me of an electrical 
>> job we
>> did pulling 300+' of 3 x 0 cable, but we had a special electric motor 
>> with a
>> huge reel in the electrical room to do the pull.
>>
>> GL !
>>
>>
>> YMMV,
>>
>>
>> I stand to be corrected.
>>
>>
>> Mike VE9AA
>>
>>
>> Mike, Coreen & Corey
>>
>> Keswick Ridge, NB
>>
>>
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