[TowerTalk] GETTING A LARGE MAST INSERTED INTO TOWER HAVING 2 EXISTING THRUST BEARINGS THAT WON'T COME OUT

[Greg Best]

I have a large diameter mast going into my SSV tower that has dual thrust bearings in it and I need some good ideas on how to actually insert the mast because it is heavy, awkward, and not much clearance between the mast OD and the thrust bearings’ ID.  The mast is 23 ft long, of which 15 ft will stick out the top of the tower. The mast is 3.5 “ OD with 0.25” wall and it weighs almost 200 pounds. So it is not just something a couple of guys can pick up and shove through the first thrust bearing. The thrust bearings are about 6 feet apart.  I think the difficult thing is to line it up and get it started the first few inches.  The thrust bearings are 5” or so long.  Any suggestions?

I would like to put it in the tower section while the section is on the ground since it will likely be easier to control versus putting it in via crane after tower is already stood up (and also less subject to wind.)

Greg, N9GB