[Elecraft] OT tower disassemble tool

Discussion:

Robert G Strickland

2014-10-14 02:26:05 UTC

Permalink

--
Robert G Strickland, PhD ABPH - KE2WY
rcrgs at verizon.net.usa
Syracuse, New York, USA

Joe K2UF

2014-10-14 02:33:53 UTC

Permalink

I remember seeing that tool in magazine ads. I have a modified light weight
scissor jack to loosen tower sections. It loosens all three legs at the
same time. It works very well. If you don't find the rohn tool you might
consider the jack.

73 Joe K2UF

-----Original Message-----
From: Elecraft [mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Robert
G Strickland
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2014 10:26 PM
To: Elecraft
Subject: [Elecraft] OT tower disassemble tool

I have to take down a 60ft Rohn-25 tower that's been up for 20 plus
years. I remember seeing a tool advertised in QST and CQ for just this
purpose. It resembled a long "lever" that was dimensioned for Rohn-25
specifically and helped to pry the sections apart. Any leads to this
"tool" would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

...robert
--
Robert G Strickland, PhD ABPH - KE2WY
rcrgs at verizon.net.usa
Syracuse, New York, USA
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Dr. William J. Schmidt, II

2014-10-14 02:35:35 UTC

Permalink

It's called a "Tower Jack"...

Dr. William J. Schmidt - K9HZ-J68HZ-8P6HK-ZF2HZ-PJ4/K9HZ-VP5/K9HZ

Owner - Operator
Big Signal Ranch
Staunton, Illinois

email: bill at wjschmidt.com

-----Original Message-----
From: Elecraft [mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Joe
K2UF
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2014 9:34 PM
To: 'Robert G Strickland'; 'Elecraft'
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] OT tower disassemble tool

I remember seeing that tool in magazine ads. I have a modified light weight
scissor jack to loosen tower sections. It loosens all three legs at the
same time. It works very well. If you don't find the rohn tool you might
consider the jack.

73 Joe K2UF

-----Original Message-----
From: Elecraft [mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Robert
G Strickland
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2014 10:26 PM
To: Elecraft
Subject: [Elecraft] OT tower disassemble tool

I have to take down a 60ft Rohn-25 tower that's been up for 20 plus
years. I remember seeing a tool advertised in QST and CQ for just this
purpose. It resembled a long "lever" that was dimensioned for Rohn-25
specifically and helped to pry the sections apart. Any leads to this
"tool" would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

...robert
--
Robert G Strickland, PhD ABPH - KE2WY
rcrgs at verizon.net.usa
Syracuse, New York, USA
______________________________________________________________
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Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net

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Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Message delivered to joe at k2uf.com

-----
No virus found in this message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 2014.0.4765 / Virus Database: 4040/8383 - Release Date: 10/13/14

______________________________________________________________
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Gary K9GS

2014-10-14 02:51:21 UTC

Permalink

The original Tower Jack is no longer made. A newer/better design is
manufactured by KF7P Metalworks:

http://www.kf7p.com/KF7P/YellowJack.html

Called the "Yellow Jack".

That said, be EXTREMELY careful disassembling an old tower, particularly
one that you may not know much of its history or if it was installed
properly. Be sure you check the integrity of the tower itself AND the
guy anchors/guys. The safest way to take it down may be with a crane.
If you can..a sawzall/torch may be a better solution.

Be safe and understand what you're doing. I would check the Towertalk
archives on this subject.

Post by Dr. William J. Schmidt, II
It's called a "Tower Jack"...
Dr. William J. Schmidt - K9HZ-J68HZ-8P6HK-ZF2HZ-PJ4/K9HZ-VP5/K9HZ
Owner - Operator
Big Signal Ranch
Staunton, Illinois
email: bill at wjschmidt.com
-----Original Message-----
From: Elecraft [mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Joe
K2UF
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2014 9:34 PM
To: 'Robert G Strickland'; 'Elecraft'
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] OT tower disassemble tool
I remember seeing that tool in magazine ads. I have a modified light weight
scissor jack to loosen tower sections. It loosens all three legs at the
same time. It works very well. If you don't find the rohn tool you might
consider the jack.
73 Joe K2UF
-----Original Message-----
From: Elecraft [mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Robert
G Strickland
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2014 10:26 PM
To: Elecraft
Subject: [Elecraft] OT tower disassemble tool
I have to take down a 60ft Rohn-25 tower that's been up for 20 plus
years. I remember seeing a tool advertised in QST and CQ for just this
purpose. It resembled a long "lever" that was dimensioned for Rohn-25
specifically and helped to pry the sections apart. Any leads to this
"tool" would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
...robert
--
73,
Gary K9GS
Greater Milwaukee DX Association: http://www.gmdxa.org
Society of Midwest Contesters: http://www.w9smc.com
CW Ops #1032 http://www.cwops.org
************************************************

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Dr. William J. Schmidt, II

2014-10-14 03:00:08 UTC

Permalink

Much cheaper version/ copy on eBay... search!

Dr. William J. Schmidt - K9HZ-J68HZ-8P6HK-ZF2HZ-PJ4/K9HZ-VP5/K9HZ

Owner - Operator
Big Signal Ranch
Staunton, Illinois

email: bill at wjschmidt.com

-----Original Message-----
From: Elecraft [mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Gary
K9GS
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2014 9:51 PM
To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] OT tower disassemble tool

The original Tower Jack is no longer made. A newer/better design is
manufactured by KF7P Metalworks:

http://www.kf7p.com/KF7P/YellowJack.html

Called the "Yellow Jack".

That said, be EXTREMELY careful disassembling an old tower, particularly
one that you may not know much of its history or if it was installed
properly. Be sure you check the integrity of the tower itself AND the
guy anchors/guys. The safest way to take it down may be with a crane.
If you can..a sawzall/torch may be a better solution.

dave

2014-10-14 16:58:27 UTC

Permalink

Post by Gary K9GS
Be sure you check the integrity of the tower

itself AND the guy anchors/guys.

Amen to that. One of the local guys was seriously hurt when a tower he
was taking down fell with him on it. One of the turnbuckles parted.
The widow said the husband used only stainless steel hardware. This
turned out to not be true.

And keep in mind that towers made with tubing rot from the inside out.
You can't check the outside and know if the tower is in decent shape.

A local ham, as well as business-band tower owner, looked up at his
tower one day and saw that one leg was bowing out. This was tubular
tower as in the Rohn 45 or 55 stuff. He replaced it with a tower made
from solid rod. There is no 'inside' to rot with solid rod.

Since one cannot see the inside of a tower leg, and since tubing rots
from the inside out, it is good to be cautious.

If I were going to climb an old tower I would guy it securely every
10' on the way up. I dunno that that would prevent it from collapsing,
but it would go a long ways toward preventing that. Old tower is
dangerous stuff.

73 de dave
ab9ca/4

Post by Gary K9GS
The original Tower Jack is no longer made. A newer/better design is
http://www.kf7p.com/KF7P/YellowJack.html
Called the "Yellow Jack".
That said, be EXTREMELY careful disassembling an old tower,
particularly one that you may not know much of its history or if it
was installed properly. Be sure you check the integrity of the tower
itself AND the guy anchors/guys. The safest way to take it down may
be with a crane. If you can..a sawzall/torch may be a better solution.
Be safe and understand what you're doing. I would check the Towertalk
archives on this subject.

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Terry

2014-10-14 02:46:36 UTC

Permalink

I use a small bottle jack and a pair of 2x4 all tied together and then
tied to a tower leg. This protects those below if something slips.

Terry, KQ5U

Post by Robert G Strickland
I have to take down a 60ft Rohn-25 tower that's been up for 20 plus
years. I remember seeing a tool advertised in QST and CQ for just this
purpose. It resembled a long "lever" that was dimensioned for Rohn-25
specifically and helped to pry the sections apart. Any leads to this
"tool" would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
...robert

Guy Olinger K2AV

2014-10-14 08:02:37 UTC

Permalink

Are you actually going to climb Rohn 25 that has been up in the air for 20+
years, for disassembly? Consider taking the thing down with a crane,
supporting it at the top with the crane and cut the bottom off, then lay it
down with the crane. As soon as you loose the top guys there are all kinds
of age-related things that can go wrong down below.

You should take this subject onto the TowerTalk reflector.

73, Guy K2AV

On Mon, Oct 13, 2014 at 10:26 PM, Robert G Strickland <rcrgs at verizon.net>

I have to take down a 60ft Rohn-25 tower that's been up for 20 plus years.
I remember seeing a tool advertised in QST and CQ for just this purpose. It
resembled a long "lever" that was dimensioned for Rohn-25 specifically and
helped to pry the sections apart. Any leads to this "tool" would be greatly
appreciated. Thanks in advance.
...robert
--
Robert G Strickland, PhD ABPH - KE2WY
rcrgs at verizon.net.usa
Syracuse, New York, USA
______________________________________________________________
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Jim Brown

2014-10-14 08:19:11 UTC

Permalink

Are you actually going to climb Rohn 25 that has been up in the air for 20+ years, for disassembly?

Alan

2014-10-14 15:52:21 UTC

Permalink

I have always used temporary guy wires whenever I had any doubts, not
only during removal but also during installation of a tower. As long as
the tower is well-guyed it's not going to fall down.

The trick is to guy it just below the section you're working on. As you
add/remove each section, move the guys up or down a section. A little
tedious but worth the trouble.

Alan N1AL

Post by Jim Brown

Post by Guy Olinger K2AV
Are you actually going to climb Rohn 25 that has been up in the air
for 20+ years, for disassembly?

Guy Olinger K2AV

2014-10-14 16:27:48 UTC

Permalink

All it takes is ONE rusted out telescoping joint between sections. The
install could have been textbook, and you could still have a rusted
telescoping joint. Rohn 25 is the low end, minimum metal, inexpensive
tower. Rohn 45 and 55 are far more robust. Take this subject to TowerTalk
reflector and see how many horror stories you dig up.

If a tower joint kicks out sidewise between guys below, rope guys won't
necessarily save you. There are stories of towers collapsing straight down,
inside the guys, with all the guys below still attached.

When you plan for the worst, then you don't get killed, maimed or crippled
by the worst. Why would anyone bet the rest of their life on old Rohn 25?
Own stock in the company?

Use a crane to take down old Rohn 25, or if you got the space, cut it down
like a tree by cutting the guys opposite the desired direction of fall.

May you live long enough and healthy enough to play video games with your
great-grandchildren.

73, Guy.

On Tue, Oct 14, 2014 at 4:19 AM, Jim Brown <jim at audiosystemsgroup.com>

Post by Jim Brown

Post by Guy Olinger K2AV
Are you actually going to climb Rohn 25 that has been up in the air for
20+ years, for disassembly?

Caution is a very good thing, but why is it that the worst possible
conditions must be assumed? Perhaps the install was done correctly and the
tower is in great shape? Perhaps additional temporary guys might be added
as insurance as a climber ascends?
73, Jim K9YC
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Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT

2014-10-14 17:30:35 UTC

Permalink

Assuming the tower is completely unsafe could result in an unnecessary
crane bill.

Assuming the tower is completely safe could result in an unnecessary
medical bill.

Easy choice.

Post by Jim Brown
Caution is a very good thing, but why is it that the worst possible
conditions must be assumed?

Robert G Strickland

2014-10-16 15:26:55 UTC

Permalink

Thanks for all the info. For those who expressed concern for safety and
for myself, I initially erected the tower, and to the best of my
knowledge did all the right things. I've been climbing it regularly for
the whole 20 years with no mishaps. Time and season dictate that I have
a commercial rigger take it down. This person, somewhat as a surprise,
said he was going to lift the tower away from the house [it goes through
a porch floor/roof and is bracketed to the roof peak] in one piece and
lay it on the ground. Once on the ground it will be my job to pry the
sections apart. As most noted, this will not be easy, and thus my
interest in the "tool" or any similar method. With the tower on the
ground, I imagine it will be somewhat unwieldy, so the "tool" may be the
best bet. When the rigger heard about the "tool" he commented that it
would probably be a handy thing to have on hand.

I'll be off the air for a while getting set up in the new house. A
vertical will probably be an interim antenna until some time next year
when I can start with a new tower installation. Any comments on prepping
the old tower sections for a new lease on life?

Again thanks to all who replied.

...robert

--
Robert G Strickland, PhD ABPH - KE2WY
rcrgs at verizon.net.usa
Syracuse, New York, USA