Sectional Monopole Tower Foundation & Installation Manual, Revision A
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WARNING:
Someone MUST be in the vehicle at all times to control lowering the tower. The
“
pulling
”
force the tower exerts greatly increases as the tower approaches the horizontal. In
other words the tower is lowered using the vehicle brakes to slow the descent of the tower.
During lowering keep the vehicle engine running to provide power brake assistance.
WARNING:
Use extreme caution when lowering the tower.
Keep well away and to sides of tower and cable.
Lowering the Tower
Lowering the tower is essentially the reverse of raising the tower. Observe the same precautions including not passing under the tower as it is lowered
and standing well clear of cables. As with raising the tower, a minimum of three people are recommended.
• Turn OFF power to the turbine.
• If not already in place install the hinge plate following the directions in Gin Pole and Hinge Plate Installation section of this manual. Observe the
recommended bolt tightening procedure.
• Connect the gin pole to the lifting tab at the mid section of the tower using the wire rope cable and shackles provide with the gin pole kit.
• Position suitable bracing to support the tower top and keep the turbine from contacting the ground after the tower is lowered. The bracing should
be located approximately 8 ft (2.4 m) from the tower top to clear the turbine blades.
• Connect the second wire rope cable to the gin pole and lowering vehicle.
• Position the vehicle so there is approximately 1-2 ft (30-60 cm) of slack in the cable and the vehicle is in line with lowering path of the tower.
• Remove the foundation nuts and washers.
• Start the lowering process by having two people lift the gin pole to take up the cable slack. Continue lifting the gin pole as the vehicle keeps the
cable taught.
• Once the tower passes the “balance point” the vehicle will be in control of the tower lowering and the individuals at the holding the gin pole should
clear the area.
• Note pulling force the tower exerts on the vehicle greatly increases as the tower approaches horizontal.
