Hi Andre,
On 6/13/2013 1:38 PM, Andre VanWyk wrote:
Well I never heard of a crank up tower that failed because the cables were not
lubricated PROVIDING manufacturer guidelines are followed and cables are
changed when required.
There are two instances of wire rope failures (one, with catastrophic
results) this week over on the CrankupTiltoverTowers list -
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CrankupTiltoverTowers/
Were they lubricated, Y/N? Not known.
Are you incorrect in your assertion, above? Nope!
I guess if one were to follow or exceed *some* manufacturers
recommendations by removing and replacing un-lubricated cables per their
schedule or at a more expeditious rate, we might never realize a
failure. But why (as we have read that *some* manufacturers state)
remove and replace un-lubricated cable every three years when there is
more than anecdotal evidence that the use of proper wire rope lubricant
significantly extends the lifespan of wire rope?
Is the argument that the timely application of a proper wire rope
lubricant somehow does damage, -vs- the costly replacement of of
un-lubricated wire rope as often as every three years? If so, is it due
to the fact some tower manufacturers (by their recommendation not to
lubricate their cables at all) have created a stigma (and thus a divide
in the tower community) that the application of lubrication is somehow
harmful to the wire rope?
I think someone might have hit on the crux of the argument, earlier. If
US Tower recommends that their cables not be lubricated then the obvious
result is a shortened cable life and an expedited schedule of
replacement. $$$
Here are two easily found web based examples, illustrating some of the
reasons why wire rope fails and the many good reasons to
lubricate/protect it:
http://www.machinerylubrication.com/Read/372/wire-rope-lubrication
http://www.hecoslings.com/rope_lubrication.htm
73,
Jon Pearl - W4ABC
www.w4abc.com
I think we as hams tend to both try to reinvent the wheel too many times. If it
ain't broken, don't fix it!
NJ0F
Sent from my iPhone
On Jun 13, 2013, at 11:41 AM, Steve Dyer <w1srd@yahoo.com> wrote:
K7LXC breaks the prime directive for lubricating crank-up cables. He sells
Prelube 6 on his site and recommends using it. And yes, any professional user
of wire rope always lubricates their cables on a regular maintenance/inspection
schedule.
It baffles me why anyone would not lube the cable with the *proper* lubricant
since the cable is THE critical link in a crank-up.
It's a testament to how well the cable holds up that more failures haven't
occurred. That and it's way over-sized to the load.
73,
Steve
W1SRD
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