Anyone ever take a 60' tower down?

[gsganzer]

When I bought my retirement place, the original owner had Line-of-site internet, using a 60' antenna. I tried it briefly and it was horrible. We were able to swap to fiber and now I have an unused tower. My buddy wants the tower, so we're going to take it down ourselves. We're both comfortable working at heights and have the necessary tie-off equipment. We'll take our time, think each step through and make safety the number one priority.

I've been researching it and it looks like we need to build a gin-pole. I found this plan on-line and it looks simple enough, (Gin pole fab) I've also seen some plans using a length of uni-strut and some pipe clamps, which also seems feasible. It also looks like we need a modified scissor jack or similar jack, to help unseat the sections, if they're stubborn.

Anybody tackle this themselves? Any pointers or words of wisdom?

 

[Topzide]

Could you post a photo of the tower? Would help with disassembly. Thanks.

 

[gsganzer]

It looks like it consists of a top 5-6' section with an extendable stinger, then (4) 10' sections and another 5-6' at the bottom (likely another 4-5' buried in the concrete pier.) The next picture is the joints. Lastly the original vendor.

 

[rontaki]

When I bought my retirement place, the original owner had Line-of-site internet, using a 60' antenna. I tried it briefly and it was horrible. We were able to swap to fiber and now I have an unused tower. My buddy wants the tower, so we're going to take it down ourselves. We're both comfortable working at heights and have the necessary tie-off equipment. We'll take our time, think each step through and make safety the number one priority.

I've been researching it and it looks like we need to build a gin-pole. I found this plan on-line and it looks simple enough, (Gin pole fab) I've also seen some plans using a length of uni-strut and some pipe clamps, which also seems feasible. It also looks like we need a modified scissor jack or similar jack, to help unseat the sections, if they're stubborn.

Anybody tackle this themselves? Any pointers or words of wisdom?

Ham radio sites and forums might be a good resource.

 

[RayIN]

Many decades ago I worked erecting, painting, and removing home TV towers.
The gin-pole needs to have a 90° Ell on the top, otherwise it is like your link. That Ell places the pulley centered on the tower, which makes pulling sections apart much easier. We didn't use a jack, just a BFH to loosen the joints if required. you'd be surprised at how much those joints move with the wind.
First thing is to remove the top pipe so you can use the gin-pole. You need 3 men really, 1 ground man, 2 on the tower. but 2 can get it down. Just 1 tower man is gonna work his XXX off, he has to carry a battery impact gun and wrench for removing bolts, climb up/down each section while removing bolts, moving and attaching the gin-pole.
The ground man handles lowering each section and moving it out of the way.

 

[Topzide]

I would see if there is a ham radio cub nearby for assistance. They may have all the "toys" needed for the work. Would also be a great resource to find what's needed if they don't have. The other option is to rent a man lift for disassembly.

 

[gsganzer]

RayIN,
Thanks for the input. Especially the 90 ell, I can see centering the load being your friend in keeping parts from binding and simplifying disassembly.

Fortunately, I put myself through college as a certified arborist, doing tree work. So, I understand the groundman, tag-line for raising/lowering gear etc.

It'll still be a task that requires some good forethought and planning, to be safe.

Everyone talks about global warming, but nobody talks about gravity. I swear gravity has increased 10-fold since I was a younger man.

About 10 years ago (I would have been 50) I helped a buddy take down some 100'+ east Texas pines that had succumbed to bark beetles. I brought my tree climbing spikes, saddle and all my other gear, so I could climb up and set a bull-line up high, for pulling with my truck. The higher you go, the more mechanical advantage and safety factor you have. The first 10 feet up the tree I was thinking what-the-heck has happened in the 30+ years I used to do it regularly? I used to be like a squirrel going up a tree. 30 years, 50 pounds and father time, is what happened. I can't believe I only weighed 165lbs in my prime. We got it done, but what an eye opener to aging.