This morning, we arrived at the site and unloaded the remaining equipment needed to install manta anchors. The jackhammer wouldn't hammer. We troubleshot and called Williams Form, but couldn't get it running. Attempted driving anchors with sledge, but decided this could potentially damage the drive steels. Thus begins the quest for solutions... Cresty-Quest.
We investigated other towers anchoring systems in the area and found auger anchors in use. Dan helped us greatly today by sharing his experience and confirmed that we have not used the small augers for large (Rohn) towers in the past. Also that the orientation of the anchor is critical to loading.
For the short term we picked up these:
We plan to use these or larger auger anchors tomorrow for the 35' towers. The larger augers are on the way and will be ready for use tomorrow morning. This will hopefully get us vertical while Dan is still here to share his experience/knowledge.
For the long term:
There's a bobcat on site at RMBL. Chris has contacted Erik H. about using this at the site. If we get the okay we may use it to drive mantas. Another option is rent a (the) jackhammer from Crested Butte Rentals but then we would need to rent a compressor as well, because it's pneumatic. They do not have a compressor. Which means a rental compressor from another town. Or we may rent a jackhammer from another town. The nearest rental would be confirmed Monday. Rental places in nearby towns (gunnison, montrose, grand junction, etc) are closed until Monday. There was also some discussion about digging holes and then burying manta anchors with heavy stones and earth. Or using concrete blocks.