SECTION 2. TRIPOD INSTALLATION
2-3
2.3 TRIPOD INSTALLATION
CM6 and CM10 tripods are designed to allow
installation in many types of terrain. The
following installation instructions, however,
assume an installation on flat and reasonably
level ground.
1. Prepare the area where the tripod will be
installed. In most installations, the tripod
requires an area 9 feet (CM6) or 12 feet
(CM10) in diameter. Natural vegetation and
the ground surface should be disturbed as
little as possible, but brush and tall weeds
should be removed.
2. Lay the tripod base and mast assemblies
on the ground. Apply pipe dope or Teflon
tape to threads on the crossarm mount
(short pipe) and the 1 1/4 inch end of the
mast. To prevent cross-threading, hand
thread the crossarm mount into the mast’s
bell reducer and then tighten with a pipe
wrench. Hand thread the mast into the
threaded coupling on the tripod center
bracket and then tighten with a pipe wrench.
3. Using a tape measure and a felt-tipped pen,
mark the tripod legs to indicate how far they
should extend. From the end of the 3/4”
pipe that attaches to the foot (Figure 2-2),
measure up 23” on the CM10, or 26” on the
CM6, and mark each leg with a felt tip pen.
4. Each leg has a slide collar with a single bolt
for loosening or tightening the collar (Figure
2-2). Loosen the bolt on each collar with a
1/2” wrench.
FIGURE 2-2. Extending the Tripod Legs
5. Stand the tripod upright and orient it so one
leg points south (Figure 2-3). Extend the
leg until the top of the slide collar is even
with the mark from Step 3 and tighten the
bolt. Extend the other legs in the same
manner.
6. Plumb the mast by adjusting the south and
northeast facing legs. Loosen the slide-
collar bolt on the south facing leg. With the
level on the south side of the mast, adjust
the leg so the level reads plumb, then
tighten the bolt. Repeat the same
procedure for the northeast facing leg with
the level on the east side of the mast.
NOTE: Adjusting the legs can be made
easier by spraying the slide collar and leg
with a silicon spray, and tapping on the leg
with a hammer.
7. Three rebar stakes are provided for
securing the tripod to the ground. Drive the
stakes through the holes in the feet. Some
users prefer to drive 4 foot “T” posts next to
each leg, and attach the legs to the posts
with 2” u-bolts.
