Best method of erecting a 50' wind mill

[joes_427_vette]

Many good tips and Ideas. The A frame puts alot of strain on the two positioned legs. The basic structure is only 2x2x 1/8' steel angle. It bent enough steel when it was taken down. I think the crane is the way I will go. He can hook it below the top and save some strain on the bottom. The braces on this tower is double strand wire criss crossed on each section. I am going to replace it with some 1/4" steel cable laid out in the same fashion. Also a sturdy ladder is in order in the event of maintenance, which is sure to follow.

 

[GeneD14]

Many good tips and Ideas. The A frame puts alot of strain on the two positioned legs. The basic structure is only 2x2x 1/8' steel angle. It bent enough steel when it was taken down. I think the crane is the way I will go. He can hook it below the top and save some strain on the bottom. The braces on this tower is double strand wire criss crossed on each section. I am going to replace it with some 1/4" steel cable laid out in the same fashion. Also a sturdy ladder is in order in the event of maintenance, which is sure to follow.

I think that you are right. Given the frame that you have, a crane is the best route.

I've had to climb up to the top of mine to fill it with oil and standing on the top, trying to hang on has quite a pucker factor. Even wearing a safety harness.

 

[tommu56]

Will have the tower painted and ready shortly. The 1929 Sears motor and fan are ready to go. Probably the only safe way to get it in the air may be hiring a crane ( 3-4 hundred minimum or more ). No sky hook in sight.

Check with a local sign shop they usually have a smaller rig and smaller $!

Tell them what you need and could they do it when they are slow to save more $$

That is what we do at work.

Tom

 

[taborekle]

I have used the A-Frame method to drop and later hoist my sailboats mast. A couple of things about it.

First off, the A frame does not have to be as high as the mast/tower. It just needs to be higher then the center of gravity of the M/T.

The line to the M/T need not go to the top of the M/T. As long as it ties into the M/T higher then the center of gravity, so that when it's lifted the bottom wants to stay down (always usefull).

The A-Frame poles should be cross braced in the direction of lift, opn both sides of the A-Frame.

If block and tackle are used to mechanically leverage the pull, ensure that the line is long enough so that you don't run out of block and tackle before you run out of lift.

The lift line should run through a ground mounted tackle before going to the pull. This will ensure that there is no 'lift' during the pull, and that if the pull is done with a tractor that it's wheels stay on the ground.

All rope and block and tackle involved should be selected to ensure that it's up for the job and has a breaking strength greater then it's load.

All rope involved should be non-stretch. We found out lifting the mast that when the A frame braced rope stretched that the A frame then leaned in the direction of lift and made it difficult to reach virtical.

By the time you select a non-bendy frame, the rope and the block and tackle, you're probably beyond the cost of the crane. The crane also has a lot less risk.

Having done it before, I'd go crane.

 

[jayste]

Here is a sketch showing how the A frame was used to raise the tower up.

Gene, that's a fine looking windmill and building! Also, your method is the same one used by Hughy Callaway and family in the movie The Good Old Boys.

Jay

 

[archerm3]

Here is a sketch showing how the A frame was used to raise the tower up.

Used the very same procedure to raise some rather tall shooting houses with a truck and winch.

 

[RobJ]

Know anyone with a helicopter??

I've never done this but you have to be careful with the A frame method and where you pull. If you attache the rope from the top, the tower might fold in half because it can't hold its own weigh horz...you designed it to stand up remeber. IF you attach the pull rope in the middle, you'll decrease the load but need more pull weight. and things can go bad quickly if they go bad.

No doubt it can be down by pulling it up, maybe attach 2 ropes to the derek, top, middle. Then you need a rope on the down side so when the balance moves to the up side, and it wants to tip the other way, you can slow it down.

hehe, the only scary part will last about 5 seconds as it tips upright. Be sure to have a video going, 50' not so long laying on the ground, way the heck up there if you are on top!

 

[archerm3]

Know anyone with a helicopter??

!

Yep....Lots of em. I av8 em.

 

[RobJ]

Yep....Lots of em. I av8 em.

OK not RC helos!!


Really? What kind you got...Police, EMS?

 

[joes_427_vette]

The copter from " helo logging " would work out great, esp. with the lady pilot. She grabbed those standing logs very quickly.