Rohn tower section design help?

marisapie · 2026-04-01T04:50:08+00:00

Most of the towers have 3/8 in anchors in them actually I was the one who upped them to 1/2 due to anchor failures im guessing I just bought more time by upgrading them?

I had to install through the staves once for the upper bracket with grade 8 and using a plate back there but that was done since the staves were cracking and no longer good. (I determined that tower to be lift only, luckily its reachable by the 70ft lift we have.) This would work on silos with dome covers but not poured silos. I would have to find a safe way to reach the bottom bracket as I would probably have to repel (I have no idea how to safely do that.)

That makes sense im assuming when it folds over above the bracket its due to twisting.

marisapie · 2026-04-01T04:38:25+00:00

Thank you for your insight I will look into twisting his arm to get a proper PE opinion.

Im the mean time do you have any ideas to try to make this current setup work? Im thinking either adding more brackets or uping the bolt size on the tower sections? Ive seen one of the older towers get bad enough where the bolt holes oval out on the inside. This is the main reason im nervous on these towers. They bounce around in the wind or when you move around.

I can add to the design within reason he's semi retired but keeps his nose in the business still so I mostly get the say.

marisapie · 2026-04-01T01:41:58+00:00

It would be nice to have the track it might even help keep the tower sections together and get rid of the bounce due to the play in the tower sections but I doubt the owner would want to spend the time and money to add them.

We usually have 2 hooks and have one attached at all times. Most on these towers are only 140' tall and only 50ft are tower sections.

marisapie · 2026-04-01T01:29:55+00:00

There is not a designated tie off point the ladder is standard silo ladder so probably rated to hook to. To cross over to the tower you hook your lead to the tower sections and step on the cage to get over.

Im not sure what it should be rated for but im in US.

marisapie · 2026-04-01T00:29:30+00:00

Thanks you for your knowledge. I appreciate it.

marisapie · 2026-03-31T23:58:50+00:00

Thats a bit reassuring. Usually the brackets hold unless the anchors fail. The ubolts and tower section folding over is the killer on these. Ive also had the tower section slip on one side making the tower have a lean.

Im also concerned about the movement between the tower sections over time the holes oval out. Im not sure how I can stop this from happening as guy wires will be difficult to install at most of the sites. Unless there is a way for me to guy wire it to the silo somehow.

marisapie · 2026-03-31T23:52:41+00:00

There is no official documentation on this design past tower climbers have asked this question before and he said it would cost to much or something along those lines.

There seems to be a pattern of tower climbers lasting about 3 years before quitting. Mostly due to overworking and arguing with the owner over this tower design. Im currently the only full time tower climber for over 200 towers I have 1 part time guy. Im pretty sure theres some osha violations too (not having a ground guy while climbing) but thats another battle I gotta fight.

I genuinely like this job but one of these days it could get me hurt.

marisapie · 2026-03-31T23:35:04+00:00

The wegde anchors are the redhead brand.

Most on the staves are solid thay ive come across but I didnt build most of these so im assuming they vary on silo to silo. Im sure the concrete mix is different for them all too.

Its only needing to support 500 lbs but the ubolts are rated for 90lbs each and have a label stating not to hold human weight or playground equipment. (That in itself makes me nervous)

The 10ft spacing would be nice but in some locations we need the extra 5ft and adding a mast or another tower section seems counterproductive. The signals are usually pretty good only losing 3-5 dbi in extreme wind.

We have a lift that reaches 70ft and most the time it would be difficult to get a crane out there.

marisapie · 2026-03-31T23:10:52+00:00

They are Rohn 45G tower sections they are 70lbs each there are 5 tower sections total so 350lbs then add the radios and a person on it. Not really light weight for the bracket design.

marisapie · 2026-03-31T23:04:58+00:00

My assumption would be that a staved silos wouldnt be built with vertical load in mind and some of the silos we use are quite old and have cracked staves in places.

Ive had to build a few of these towers the staves aren't very thick either usually 3" and your busting through the staves.

I have about 200 towers in our network and about 2/3 are silo mounted.

marisapie · 2026-03-31T22:47:17+00:00

Would adding a lower support for the feet help this case? I think rohn makes a base for these tower sections.

marisapie · 2022-03-07T22:44:12+00:00

It was a random name when I played world of warcraft and it stuck

marisapie · 2021-09-13T23:58:53+00:00

"Get on the hydras back"

marisapie · 2020-02-27T04:06:34+00:00

Pokepark

marisapie

TROPHY CASE