[UK-CONTEST] Mast Winches

[John Lemay]

Dave

This is a difficult one to answer without knowing a little more about your
mast, ie the weight of each telescoping section, head unit etc, and
importantly the length on each side of the pivot when the mast is
horizontal.

However: Firstly you are correct that the maximum load on the winch is when
the mast is horizontal (or with the head unit lower than the pivot point). 

I would suggest that a 250lb winch is insufficient. This is based on my
Versatower, which has a 650kg winch, purchased on the advice of the
manufacturer many years ago.

Presumably any helpful markings on your current winch have long since
disappeared ? A possible clue might be in the diameter of wire rope that you
are using.

One source of a worm gear winch is:-

http://www.dlhonline.co.uk/delta-galvanised-hd-wormgear-winch-1353-p.asp

You would need to check that the size and layout of the winch is suitable
for the fixing points on your tower of course.

I'm a satisfied customer and have no other connection with the company.

It's probably a good time to fit new wire rope(s) too !

Regards

John G4ZTR




-----Original Message-----
From: uk-contest-bounces at contesting.com
[mailto:uk-contest-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Dave G3RXP
Sent: 06 February 2012 16:37
To: uk-contest at contesting.com
Subject: [UK-CONTEST] Mast Winches

Hi Guys,

Im sure one of you can give me some advice on winches for masts.

I have a 60ft tower (with a 3 ele steppir and an ali scaffold pole -yardarm)
used to support 2 ele inverted V wire beam for 40m) which has a winch for
lower /raise which also works to tilt the mast over.

I have been using a winch with worm and wheel gearing (40:1 ratio -with 4
pulley wheels at the base of the mast, so another 4:1 ratio - bit of a bind
but easy to wind up.) which has the safety feature of not needing a break so
when you stop turning the handle the winch just stops. 

Well the worm / wheel gearing has now become distorted as it is 20 years old
so I need to buy another winch.   

Im looking for a winch which has worm and wheel gearing (No loud clicking of
the break stops) but Im not sure of the loading that is required how do I
measure that without letting the mast fall over? I can get another winch
that has a loading of 250lbs but how good is that -  do I need more? The
greateast loading is when the mast is tilted over -  I would think.

Or I could always buy an electric winch but are they expensive.

Thanks 73 Dave
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