Weatherizing Your Pneumatic Mast
This section describes how to prepare a locking and non-locking pneumatic mast for extreme conditions such as freezing or warm weather using the Will-Burt non-toxic, Pneumatic Mast Antifreeze Kit. This optional kit provides enhanced mast performance in extreme weather conditions.
Preparing for Freezing Weather Conditions
In general, this procedure depends on the use of the mast during the following freezing conditions:
- Always Nested – partially fill all laps with antifreeze
- Fully Extended on a Daily Basis – partially fill all laps with antifreeze
- Partially Extended – partially fill all extended laps and completely fill all non-extended laps
Use the Will-Burt Non-toxic Pneumatic Mast Antifreeze kit to prepare the mast for freezing weather conditions. The antifreeze is placed into a squirt bottle for ease of use.
Always Nested Mast
To prepare a mast that is going to be left nested during freezing conditions, it is best to nest the mast, add antifreeze, then cover the mast collars. Covering the mast prevents the antifreeze from being washed out during rains. If a nested mast cannot be covered, rain can wash out the antifreeze from the mast while it is nested. Therefore on a regular basis it is best to add antifreeze to the laps, and then fully extend the mast.
Fully Extended on a Daily Basis
A mast that cycles daily can cause antifreeze to be released on a gradual basis. If a mast cycles daily in temperatures below freezing, it is best to add antifreeze to the mast every ten days.
Partially Extended
If a locking mast is extended but not fully extended (one or more tubes not extended), the collar laps of the non-extended tube(s) must be completely filled with antifreeze and antifreeze must also be added to the extended collars. Note: It is not recommended to nest the top tube during freezing weather conditions. Nesting the top tube requires too much antifreeze to fill the top tube lap which will create excessive weight in the top tube.
Winterizing the Air Inlet Assembly
You may want to winterize the air inlet assembly by doing the following:
- Place antifreeze into the air inlet valve
- Remove the air inlet assembly (if nested or extended (locking mast) for long periods of time), then cover the area but still allow drainage.
Download the product manual for more information as well as detailed instructions on how to prepare your pneumatic mast for warmer climates.