Replacing the bull ring in KBGM WSR88D

NWS Radar at Binghamton, NY Repaired

The Binghamton National Weather Service radar experienced a major hardware failure. The failure of the azimuthal bull gear resulted from natural wear and tear from over 15 years of use.

Repair of this part normally takes about 10 days. The National Weather Service worked at record speed to repair the problem and had the radar operating again on September 6^th, 2008.

The bull gear is a primary component for spinning the radar. This is located in the radar pedestal (see image below). In order for this to be replace the entire antenna assembly will have to be lifted to get at the bull gear. The tower is about 82 feet and the dome adds 35 feet to an over height from ground to top of dome of about 117 feet. All equipment and parts will be lifted into the dome via a winch.

Status reports about the radar can be found HERE.

Below are some image of the NWS Binghamton, NY radar site. Click on the image for a larger view.

Motors to lift the radar antenna and counter weights. The antenna and counter weights are just over 4000 pounds.	Separating and bull gear starting to become visible.
Just a little higher.	Damaged bull gear exposed.
Old bull gear.	New bull gear.
Radar's pedestal. Note the jacks on either side. Not shown there, there are two winches above the pedestal. Taken 09.04.2008	This is a composite image showing where the separation will occur. The antenna will be lift and separation will occur where the blue collar is shown. The black things that you see are dead bugs. Taken 09.04.2008
Some of the equipment at the base of the radar. Taken 09.04.2008	View of the NWS Binghamton, NY radar, KBGM. Taken 09.02.2008.
View of from the bottom of the radar tower to the base of the radar dome. The dark square in the middle of the picture is where parts and equipment will be lifted through. Taken 09.02.2008.	View of the Binghamton Regional Airport from just below the radar dome. Taken 09.02.2008.