[TowerTalk] Thrust Bearing Installation

[Joseph B. Fitzgerald]

The answer is in the name: "thrust" is another name for force along the axis of the shaft/mast.  The classic example of a thrust bearing is the bearing in a power drill that counters the force of the operator pushing the bit into tough material.

If you design your installation such that the rotor does not take any dead weight, it will make it much easier to remove the rotor for its inevitable repair some day.  There will be no need for gin poles/come alongs etc. to lift the mast off the rotor.

de KM1P Joe