Gin Poles for Raising Motors on Top of Towers

[JBarker]

Ok, fellow windmillers let's discuss the pros and cons of using gin poles to raise motors on towers. I have posted some pics from the old forum and the internet. Please post any pics or plans/diagrams here for future reference if you would like to share with us. Thank you.

Jerry

[Minnemiller]

Hi Jerry, the second photo you posted is ours.

The pros of a gin pole:
it takes less time to set it than it does to assemble a mill piece by piece on top of the tower.
it is always ready to go and can go anywhere while a boom truck isn't and can't

The cons:
it takes some muscle to lift it into position and the hand cranking a complete mill will test your arm.
you need a partner to pull the mill away from the tower whilst raising or lowering.

I'm curious if anyone can identify the mill we are lifting down with it?

Jud

[grezmonki]

Jud, how about a Elgin #2 ?

[WILLC]

I saw the gin pole pictures the first day they were posted,now it says I don’t have permission to open them.anyone know why that is?

[topcop491]

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[Wayne]

Ken O-Brock did a demo on the use of a gin pole the last time we were in El Dorado. He had his # 1 helpmate Sharon.

[Kansas Rust Buzzard]

Looks like a 12 foot or so Mogul Power mill to me as it appears to be a bevel gear coming off the front on the countershaft and going down the center?

[JBarker]

Hi Jerry, the second photo you posted is ours.

The pros of a gin pole:
it takes less time to set it than it does to assemble a mill piece by piece on top of the tower.
it is always ready to go and can go anywhere while a boom truck isn't and can't

The cons:
it takes some muscle to lift it into position and the hand cranking a complete mill will test your arm.
you need a partner to pull the mill away from the tower whilst raising or lowering.

I'm curious if anyone can identify the mill we are lifting down with it?

Jud

Thanks Jud great pic, that looks dangerous!!!

[Minnemiller]

Thanks Jud great pic, that looks dangerous!!!

Jerry, glad to share. Curious why you say it looks dangerous? We use safety harnesses. The drive there and the climb up the tower is probably just as dangerous as working up there. There is risk in working on windmills no matter how you do it

Looks like a 12 foot or so Mogul Power mill to me as it appears to be a bevel gear coming off the front on the countershaft and going down the center?

Correct, a 12' Elgin Mogul. Took years to get it bought but we were able to get it purchased and within 15 mins were setting the ginpole. Thats another advantage, you have less time for people to change their minds before the crane arrives

[Kansas Rust Buzzard]

Ouch, I felt that, LOL. Been there done that. I know of no other place where the old saying "don't count your chickens until they are hatched" applies more than windmill buying.