20
Sectional Monopole Tower Foundation & Installation Manual, Revision A
Leveling the Tower
Leveling the tower is most easily accomplished using only four of the eight foundation bolts. Once the tower is leveled the remaining bolts can be fully
tightened to secure the tower.
Be aware that leveling the tower may require some trial and error adjustments – even though the base is level, the upper tower flange may be off level
due to manufacturing tolerances.
To level the tower:
• Level the tower on a calm day to minimize movement of Skystream. Start by loosening all the upper foundation nuts about a full turn.
• Loosen and lower the four nuts on the “sides” of the foundation base plate. In other words the tower should be supported by the four “corner” nuts of
the tower base plate. (refer to
Fig. 8
, Bolts A and B are “corner” bolts)
• Using two bubble levels set perpendicular to each other on the base plate adjust the foundation nuts until the tower is level. Magnetic bubble levels
may make this process easier.
• Once the tower is level tighten all nuts and recheck level.
Observe the position of Skystream on calm days. If the wind turbine seems to favor a single position with no wind, the tower may require fine tuning even
if it appears level using the bubble leveling technique.
To fine tune the tower realize that the nose cone of the wind turbine will “point” in the direction of the tower low side. Therefore, to level the tower, slightly
raise the side of the tower under the nose cone or lower the side of the tower opposite the nose cone. Make fine adjustments. Approximately one turn of
a foundation nut equates to slightly more than 1/8 in (3.2 mm) so even a half turn adjustment will make a difference.
Tightening Foundation bolts
Tighten the foundation bolts by using the Turn of the Nut Method as described below.
Turn of the Nut Method of Tightening
• First tighten each nut to a “snug tight” condition to bring the hinge plate in full contact
with the foundation. “Snug Tight” is defined as the tightness attained by a “few” impacts
of an impact wrench or the full effort of a man using an ordinary spud wrench.
• Following the initial snug tightening, tighten each nut an additional 1/3 to 2/3 turn.
WARNING:
Never leave foundation bolts loose.
Foundation bolts may be temporarily loosened during
tower leveling – however, never leave tower unless
ALL foundation bolts are FULLY tightened.
