[TowerTalk] Rope stretch

[Dave Sublette]

Good afternoon,

A memory has been stirred by the discussion on ropes for hand hauling.
Rather than hijack the thread, I will start this.  33 years ago, when I
moved to this location, I put up three towers.  One of them is a 200 foot
rotating Rohn 55.  I worked alone.  Using the gin pole, I would hook a
section on the rope and pull it up to just below (6 inches or so) where it
needed to be. Then I would set the tractor brake and climb up and lift the
section into place and bolt it.  Each section weighs 90 pounds, more than
half of my total weight.  I wondered if I would be able to lift it.  So I
hooked up the first section and climbed up.  It lifted right into place.
The secret was that I used a half inch nylon rope.  The rope stretched.
That stretch was stored energy.  As I lifted, the rope contracted, helping
me lift.  The higher the section was installed, the more energy that was
stored.  The lift got slightly easier as I went up.  It also worked for
each half of the guy bearings which weighed 100 pounds apiece.

If there is a point to this, I guess it is that stretch isn't all bad.

73,

Dave, K4TO