[TowerTalk] US Tower making clinking noise

[Alan Swinger]

Also, suggest check the Thrust Bearing between the gear box and the tower . . . has it been lubed? - Alan K9MBQ

-----Original Message-----
>From: Jim Thomson <jim.thom at telus.net>
>Sent: Feb 5, 2017 9:17 AM
>To: towertalk at contesting.com
>Subject: [TowerTalk] US Tower making clinking noise
>
>Date: Sun, 5 Feb 2017 07:16:22 -0500
>From: "Kenneth Sobel" <kenxxx at optonline.net>
>To: <towertalk at contesting.com>
>Subject: [TowerTalk] US Tower making clinking noise
>
>my us tower hdx-572mdpl is 19 years old.
>now it makes a continuous clinking noise when it is raised or lowered.
>The noise comes from either the flywheel or the flywheel shaft or the gear box.
>I cannot determine exactly where.
>It sounds like high frequency as the shaft rotates. Not a grinding noise.
>otherwise the tower raises and lowers without any problem.
>The motor, motor shaft sheave, and belt are new.
>Is this something serious?
>de Ken W3JJ
>
>##  temp remove the belt.   Then operate the motor in both CW and also CCW. 
>If it runs smooth, its probably the gear box.  In which case you might want to replace the
>gear box oil with new oil....and pref  synthetic.  If it still screwed, either replace the gear box, or
>get it rebuilt. 
>
>##  also, with or without the  belt off, you should be able to easily turn the big pulley by hand, and
>make the tower go up or down.  If the gears get mashed inside the gear box, then you are in a mess.
>It will be stuck, and you wont be able to raise..or lower the tower.   And thats not what you want if the
>tower is even partially extended.  In that case, the bottom of the 2nd section needs some steel below it
>on 3 sides, to take the weight, while you remove the chain and gear box. 
>
>##  get it all looked after now, before you get into a gong show down the road. 
>
>Jim   VE7RF
>
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