[TowerTalk] Bearings for Axial Load

[Clay Autery]

OK.... now that I own a 60 foot Heights Tower, I am VERY interested in
bearings for my mast...

Currently, it has a single Yaesu at the top (6 set screws; 2 x 3 setup
using load bars to spread the load) and the mast WAS resting in an Alpha
Spid RAK...

I've not settled on the exact rotator I want to use yet, but the Big RAK
is on the list.

But, I AM convinced I'd like to use two thrust bearings: one at top and
one somewhere in the middle, and if I could find a rotator that had a
pass-through, I'd support the REST of the weight on a bearing BELOW the
rotator.  Ideally, at least in my mind (tending to over-engineer
everything), I would prefer that the rotator experienced ZERO thrust
load.  More than I can hope for I'm sure, but that's the "ultimate goal".

I have a 24', 2" x 1/4" aluminum mast with nearly 16 foot internal to
the tower.

______________________
Clay Autery, KY5G
MONTAC Enterprises
(318) 518-1389

On 7/15/2017 11:20 AM, Jim Thomson wrote:
> Date: Sat, 15 Jul 2017 01:56:37 -0400
> From: "Roger (K8RI) on TT" <K8RI-on-TowerTalk at tm.net>
> To: towertalk at contesting.com
> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Bearings for Axial Load
>
> <Roller and ball bearings work well for side loads. Ball bearings in a 
> <horizontal race can support substantial loads. Roller ans ball bearings 
> <typically work in one axis at a tine.  It takes a tapered bearing, like 
> <a wheel bearing to do well on both axes.
>
> <73, Roger (K8RI)
>
> ##  u sure about that ?  A tapered bearing, like a wheel bearing, is designed
> to be mounted horizontal.   Mount it vertical, and all the load ends up on the bottoms
> of those shafts that go through the  tapered bearings... on the now horz section, that all those 
> vert shafts are connected to. .  Im sure it was on your site that 
> depicted broken shafts..that go through the center of the tapered roller bearing.  IF the wheel bearing was
> big enough to begin with, and 2 of them were used, it should not be an issue.  IF the rotor in question had 
> the entire weight  of the mast + ants  on it, then there would be no  weight on the bearings either... only
> an axial load, when the wind blows.... moot point.
>
> ##  I dont know what type of bearing the speer brand is..... thats used in the UST crank-ups, but they are
> built like a tank...and come with locking collars.   I used 2 of em... + a K7NV  small PP. 
>
> Jim  VE7RF.