Tower Rebuild

[TomW]

Folks;

Awhile ago I posted a story on getting an old waterpumper tower and my intention to rebuild and erect it. That story is over here:

http://www.fieldlines.com/story/2004/3/3/23120/58334

And if you want to see pictures they are over here:

http://www.fieldlines.com/story/2004/3/4/11348/29595

Well, the bottom line is I got that sucker home and decided on a complete rebuild because of damage it had and the fact that all the bolts were a bit sloppy from age and racking during lowering and transportation.  It is completely dissassembled in my back yard awaiting metal straightening / repair as needed. I intend to clean it all up well then give it a coat of suitable red oxide primer and then paint it your basic black.

My main question at this point is how were these things erected in the first place? Did they build them in place or build them on the ground and tip them up? I never saw one go up but have seen a couple moved intact and tipped up with cranes or backhoes, etc.

Any insight, pictures, webpages or descriptions appreciated, especially from those of you with experience.

Thanks.

cheers.

TomW

[Garry]

Hi TomW,

My wife and I rebuilt one for a water pumper. She drove the pickup attached to the top of the tower with a one inch rope and I signaled her to stop the instant the tower top got about 10 feet in the air. The stretch in the rope did the rest. We did weld straps to the two legs touching the ground at the anchors so the tower would not chase the truck. After it was up we cut the straps off.

Good Luck

Garry

[ToddH]

Here are the instructions for setting up a windmill tower.

http://www.deanbennett.com/tower_instructions.htm

[TomW]

ToddH;

WOW. Pretty much exactly what I was looking for. Thanks a lot, really.

I owe you one on that. Excellent page.

Cheers.

TomW