Loader TV Tower Take Down

[blueone]

Has anyone taken down a TV tower [around 30-35" antenna attached] with their Tractor & Loader?

I know of one I can have if I take it down. Thinking of using my Fork frame. Secure it tightly with HEAVY ratchet straps Top & Bottom, cut off at ground, back-up and tilt forward to the ground.

This way I wouldn't need to climb the tower to remove it.

What do you guy's think?

 

[sweettractors]

Sounds like a accident waiting to happen. Ken Sweet

 

[greasemonkeyok]

As a friend's grandson says, "you scare me Paw Paw."

Thirty five feet of leverage will be hard to handle. And Ken seems to have more experience than I.

 

[MikeInEburg]

I'd have a couple of sturdy ropes near the top of the tower to provide the real control. Cut two legs and let the other two legs bend as you lower tower to the ground. And if there are any overhead utility lines in the vicinity, please come up with another plan. Good luck!
Mike

 

[KB9UDE]

Climb and take out the bolts at each 10ft section. Use a rope to lower sections down. This works best with 2 people on the tower. Take a small bottle jack and some 2x6's up to help pry the sections apart.

 

[k0ua]

Well I dunno, I dont think I would do it. If it is rohn 25 sections they weigh 45 lbs each, and are pretty strong. if there only 3 sectons and a mast/rotator? and then a large TV antenna, it all adds up and the lever just gets longer. Where were you planning on fastening to the tower? Cause if near the bottom that puts you at a worse leverage place, but I cannot see how you could tilt the tower down if you fastened up even 3 or 4 feet without the bottom of the tower hitting the tractor before you got it all the way down. It would be a lot safer to find a local "Ham" with a gin pole and a climbing belt and rope to take the sections down carefully, I would think a $100 bill for 20 minutes of work would be about right. If you could find one. My tower is 40 foot, and it tilts over, but there is a pulley at 15 feet on a 3 inch pipe in concrete with the winch down at 5 foot. Of course there is a tilt over base on the bottom. your tower if Rohn 25 sections will definately withstand being tilted over and not fold up in the middle (if all is well, no rusted out sections, or freeze split), But I am thinking that is a lot of leverage if you fasten near the bottom. And what is your backup/safety plan if it all goes to crap? Also dont think about climbing it yourself without the proper safety belt and the experience. You will need the gin pole too. and a 100 foot rope. If you dont know what a gin pole is, well, you dont need to be on the tower. Sorry to be such a debbie downer, but I think there is some risk here.
James K0UA

 

[Don87]

If it's a 3 leg tower, cut 2 of the legs at about 4 inches above ground, have 4 pieces of metal ready with predrilled holes.

What you are going to do is make a hinge for the 2 legs. drill holes thru the tower legs and install bolts(3 bolts in each leg) 2 bolts either above or below your cut, these are your hinges.

Tie your rope to the top of the tower, and the other end to your tractor or pickup, cut the remaining leg and push it to start the lean............then lower it with the vehicle.

If your are going to save the antenna..........put blocks or something near where the top of the tower will come down.

Long time radio operator here, have raised and lowered many towers and or pipes. My current antenna is 72 feet in the air in the 'neighbors' pine tree(to the bottom of the antenna)

 

[inmaestro]

Gotta agree that using pallet frame strapped to tower could be dangerous. Even strapped tight you have 3' frame controlling 30' tower.
Gin pole and climbing gear safest way IF you know how AND tower is in good condition. I have climbed 30' to 60' towers and even thirty feet can be scary.
Cutting and tilting works, but easy to lose control. Obviously, existing conditions at site dictate best approach. Overhead power lines are a show stopper period.
Whatever your approach, stay safe.

 

[CompactTractorFan]

I have to ask: What do you want to do with the tower anyway???

 

[pat32rf]

Couple years ago we were searching for internet reception from a tower on a distant ridge. Stuck a dish on 30' of tower and bolted it to my backhoe (JD 4300, small hoe). Carried it around different parts of the property raising and lowering at least half dozen times. Never did get a signal.
I also have a 28' section of 2" steam pipe that I use as a antenna mast. I fasten the bottom then push it up (or lower it down) between the forks on my FEL, slowly backing up and letting it slid until the antenna is resting on the ROPS. It can't go sideways because it is "trapped" between the forks. Just needs a rope to get it started in the right direction...No problem for two people, takes a bit of planning when I have to lower it myself...
Used good rope and have someone to help who knows basic knots...
I assume that there is ample clearance both wire and building wise????