Loader TV Tower Take Down

blueone · Jan 1, 2011

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 · Jan 1, 2011

Sounds like a accident waiting to happen. Ken Sweet

greasemonkeyok · Jan 1, 2011

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 · Jan 1, 2011

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 · Jan 1, 2011

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 · Jan 1, 2011

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 · Jan 1, 2011

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 · Jan 1, 2011

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 · Jan 1, 2011

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

pat32rf · Jan 2, 2011

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????

JoelD · Jan 2, 2011

How much would it cost to have a pro do it? Might not be all that much, with the right equipment, I'd expect it to be a fast process.

I guess if there is nothing around to fall on and you've got nothing to loose you can use the hinge idea, as long as you are not in the path of crushing you've got little to loose I'd think.

I've dropped 40-50 foot trees with little fear as long as I'm out of the way.

Good luck,
Joel

harpoonalt · Jan 2, 2011

KB9UDE said:
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.

sweettractors said:
Sounds like a accident waiting to happen. Ken Sweet

I think taking it apart would be safer and make for easier reassembly. Even then, you want to be harnessed and prepared for things to go wrong. Pictures would make it easier to help. Don't have this end up on one of those disaster shows

Mean Jean · Jan 2, 2011

I like the hinge idea.
Definitley post pics of the process.

jenkinsph · Jan 2, 2011

If the tower is in good shape the best way to deal with it is to stack/unstack it using a ginpole. I used to do alot of tower work when younger and never used a fel for this job.

Without the experience needed or tower equipment this may be more trouble and liability than it is worth to you. Three pieces of new tower isn't that much money, getting hurt or tearing something up could easily out cost the savings you anticipate.

MtHam · Jan 2, 2011

If it is a Rohn 25, the most common type around, dis-assembly with two people and a jin pole is easily done. These towers are in demand by Ham operators, and frequently bought and sold. I have 2 of them (50' & 80') on my ranch. If you place a listing on QTH.com (free) you will likely get several responses, particularly if you offer it at no charge. Market value is about $50 per section. Be sure to state your location. If offered for free, getting someone to take it down is no problem. If you are not sure what you have, take a photo and post it as well.

eepete · Jan 2, 2011

You can get hams to take them down if you know them or are willing to give away the tower. Agree with all who say disassemble it. You need someone who has done this before, has the climbing belt, gin pole, a guy on the ground who's done it before.

I took down a Rohn 25 tower about 15 years ago, it was the first and last 25 I'll take down. Too tight and too shaky. It's about time for me to hang up the climbing belt now, getting too old

.

If you put it back up, be sure to use stainless on the bolts. You can use the zinc washers to minimize galvanic corrosion on the tower.

Pete

bx24 · Jan 2, 2011

eepete said:
You can get hams to take them down if you know them or are willing to give away the tower. Agree with all who say disassemble it. You need someone who has done this before, has the climbing belt, gin pole, a guy on the ground who's done it before.

I took down a Rohn 25 tower about 15 years ago, it was the first and last 25 I'll take down. Too tight and too shaky. It's about time for me to hang up the climbing belt now, getting too old .

If you put it back up, be sure to use stainless on the bolts. You can use the zinc washers to minimize galvanic corrosion on the tower.

Pete

Would he want to get the person taking it down to sign some sort of release removing him from any responsibility should they get hurt taking it down?

MossRoad · Jan 2, 2011

blueone said:
I know of one I can have if I take it down.

Some of you guys are missing the point that he wants the tower. He does not want some HAM to come and take it away. He wants to keep it for himself.

crazyal · Jan 2, 2011

Some of the smaller towers have a hinged base, if you don't have a hinged base then it really needs to be taken apart section by section. If you don't want the tower then sell it standing and let someone else take it down. Just make sure they have insurance unless it's not near anything that it can fall on. If you do decide to take it apart make sure you have safety harnesses and help.

blueone · Jan 2, 2011

Thanks Moss, your right in one sence, but I want the tower and antenna cause 4-months ago I got tired of feeding the Cable, Dish Monster and cut it all off. I started with my own homemade antenna from coat hangers and a 20' oak 2x3 and got 7 over the air channels. Then with some more experimentation and an old antenna form my dad installed on the chimney I received 13 with 5 in Hi-Def.

So may be I'll look at trying to do it this way TACO Communications DMXB-series Tower Installation Instructions[Fig 4 in link] as the antenna is only 12'-15' over the roof line.