Im Getting it up!! My Will-Burt 60' Pneumatic telescoping mast

[Tokin]

Its alive!!!
After investing a couple hundred bucks before knowing if it would air up i have it in place and extended the first 3 sections as a test and it works as it should. This mast is 30 years old and has been sitting for the last 20 so it was a crap shoot whether it would work or not.
Being a locker i had to replace all the springs, 16 of them and 2 locks are frozen open (i hope) and dont close. Im hoping one lock will hold it up each section.
This is a 60' locker mast, each section locks in place so no air pressure needed to keep it extended. I almost sold this mast a couple years ago but the buyer didnt like the $700 i was asking for it and now im glad i kept it.
4 sections has me at 40' to the radials.

 

[Handy Andy]

How many PSI does it need to even start the extension?

How many gallons of air does it need at that PSI to be extended?

 

[Tokin]

How many PSI does it need to even start the extension?

How many gallons of air does it need at that PSI to be extended?

Takes 10-15 psi for all 4 sections and warnings say no more than 30psi ever. I used a portable compressor. I bet i can air this up with a decent 12v auomotive pump.

 

[Handy Andy]

Oh, wow, though it needed say 50 to 60 PSI - those tubes look like they need a considerable volume to "inflate" the pistons of lower cylinder sections - then needs the PSI "pressure" to ram the smaller tubing up in lifting their load.

Does it recommend any sort of "air tool oil"? I would think that may help - but that thing looks like a missile launcher

 

[Tokin]

I found a bunch of guy wire mounts and other cell tower hardware i used for anchors and weights. I still have 3 sections i can extend but im not pushing the issue. My radials are just above tree top level so im pretty happy.

 

[Tokin]

Oh, wow, though it needed say 50 to 60 PSI - those tubes look like they need a considerable volume to "inflate" the pistons of lower cylinder sections - then needs the PSI "pressure" to ram the smaller tubing up in lifting their load.

Does it recommend any sort of "air tool oil"? I would think that may help - but that thing looks like a missile launcher

No internal oils, just lightly oiling the sections as its taken down to keep wear off the rubber seals.

 

[Handy Andy]

It looks like a lot of fun, in a weird sort of way.

 

[Tokin]

It looks like a lot of fun, in a weird sort of way.

It's been a year in the making and im happy its something i can one man up and down and the tilt allows for easy maintenance. I can lower it easily in minutes for storms or repairs all by myself.

 

[Handy Andy]

But what is cool about that is that "instant pole" you can use for portable or installed stations.

I can think of several CB'ers in my past that can use something like that as a portable tower for Pirate operations.

 

[Tokin]

But what is cool about that is that "instant pole" you can use for portable or installed stations.

I can think of several CB'ers in my past that can use something like that as a portable tower for Pirate operations.

Absolutely. This unit was on a trailer and just might be again as soon as i find a suitable trailer to mount it on. There are several on the property i could use with a little modification.

 

[TheRealPorkchop]

That is the coolest damn thing I’ve ever seen. Speechless.

 

[Slowmover]

Factory refurb that size is $12,000.

 

[Tokin]

That is the coolest damn thing I’ve ever seen. Speechless.

They're expensive even used, about $10-$15k but keep an eye out for these units in old news vans. Sometimes you can get it all for a better price. Will Burt told me this is a one of because it's a locker and its 60' and they only made one or two that reached 60' in 1996.
This one was close to $20k new back then.
I need to level it up a little better and ill take it up another section.

 

[Slowmover]

They're expensive even used, about $10-$15k but keep an eye out for these units in old news vans. Sometimes you can get it all for a better price. Will Burt told me this is a one of because it's a locker and its 60' and they only made one or two that reached 60' in 1996.
This one was close to $20k new back then.
I need to level it up a little better and ill take it up another section.

Boys. This is the guy yesterday expressed disgust his roomie got a $2k crimper out of the dumpster.

Tokin?? You da funny one, mon. De herb, it do dat.

.

 

[Slowmover]

They're expensive even used, about $10-$15k but keep an eye out for these units in old news vans. Sometimes you can get it all for a better price. Will Burt told me this is a one of because it's a locker and its 60' and they only made one or two that reached 60' in 1996.
This one was close to $20k new back then.
I need to level it up a little better and ill take it up another section.

Seriously. Once in a lifetime. Weld it down and insure it.

.