[TowerTalk] Your experience with rope capstan hoists or winches

[Dick Green WC1M]

I bought a My-TE FA300/AB electric capstan winch when I raised my 55G tower. Also used it to tram large and heavy antennas, lift rotors, etc. It worked flawlessly and had plenty of power even at the end of about 300 feet of heavy-duty extension cord.

I mounted the winch on a sturdy wood platform and bolted that to a pair of strong perforated steel angles attached to the tower legs with u-bolts about a foot or two off the ground. I also sank a pressure-treated 4x4 a couple feet in the ground about 10-15 feet from the tower to serve as a post where the winch man could tie off the end of the rope when the load reached the desired level. 

Expensive, but worth it. If you go with this model, get the foot switch. The winch operator needs two hands to handle the rope.

Definitely recommend a capstan winch.

73, Dick WC1M

-----Original Message-----
From: Charles Morrison [mailto:junkcmp at gmail.com] 
Sent: Tuesday, September 12, 2017 11:00 AM
To: towertalk at contesting.com
Subject: [TowerTalk] Your experience with rope capstan hoists or winches

Hi Mates !
I've been looking at products to assisting with tower section raising (uo to 55G) and antenna raising (up to 48ft boom). Having never used a rope winch, I researched rope capstan winches & rope capstan hoists. They are available inexpensively and expensively. They are available with chainsaw mounts or with DC motors.

I found these three electric units that would meet my station work need. By the time you mount them up, wire them in, your looking at close to $1000.

Share your experience and wisdom.
thanks
-Charlie N1RR

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Northern Tool
Endurance Marine
WCH800   $550
12V DC 800# 1.5HP 121:1 gear
8ft/min to 31 feet/min
80 Amp breaker
9 AWG wire
Weight  19 lbs

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200621288_200621288

===
@ STAR MARINE DEPOT
Powerwinch Capstan 1000        $685   (reg $935)
PRODUCT ID: PW7000-01         MFG ID: P77099
12V DC
6 AWG required up to 50 feet.
Weight 23 lbs
Up to 5/8" or 3/4" rope
40ft/min
1000# pull
Aluminum housing
 80 Amp Breaker thermal and resettable

https://www.starmarinedepot.com/powerwinch-capstan-1000.html

====================
Northern Tool          $700
Endurance Marine
Tugger 12 Volt DC Powered Capstan Winch — 1500 Lb. Capacity, 1.5 HP, Model# ETUG 1 Item# 29540

12V DC 1500# 1.5HP 121:1 gear
 50ft/min
80 Amp breaker
Includes 25ft of 6 AWG wire
Weight  40 lbs

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200588483_200588483

============================

-Charlie N1RR

401-742-7240 <(401)%20742-7240>  8AM - 9PM

*E-mail*: n1rr at n1rr.com

*Website*: www.n1rr.com

*Youtube channel*: NovemberOne RomeoRomeo

    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPDzEf57Ad80cVKOiLZLB7w