ALS500 Hinged Base Plate & Gin Pole

The AP-ALS500-HBP is an interface bracket that allows the ALS500 base module to attach to a Surefoot S600 pile cap (or rag-bolt cage). The Hinging Base Plate is used so that ALS500 towers can be built on the ground and safely raised upright.

The Hinging Base Plate operates in only one axis, preventing the tower from leaning sideways during erection, ensuring the tower can be raised either by hand or with minimal lifting equipment.

It is required to construct ALS500 aluminium lattice towers that are to be installed in the ground using the S600. The hinge comprises four pairs of half-lapped billet knuckles, one under each leg, pinned by Stainless Steel M24 bolts and nylocs: the two pins on one side are the hinge, and the two on the other lock the tower upright.

The 6 m gin pole, 75 x 50 x 6 mm aluminium RHS in two bolted 3 m halves, slides through the sleeve on the top plate and is held by three M20 bolts. With the tower assembled on the ground the gin pole stands upright, and drawing its tip down raises the tower about the hinge. It can be removed once the tower is up and locked.

Thanks to the precision machining, the structural load is directed through the clevis rather than the bolt. This design strategy significantly minimises reliance on the bolt for load-bearing purposes, thereby reducing the risk of shear stress and enhancing the overall stability and durability of the tower assembly.