The most common technique here in the United States is to raise the tilt-up towers with a truck or tractor. I’ve never been a fan of this approach and I’ve long wondered if there is a better way. The griphoist, a simple hand winch, may be the answer. While no system is foolproof, using a griphoist can reduce the chance of accidents when raising and lowering a tower.

My thanks to everyone on the awea-wind-home list for your help raising the BWC 850. Sunday 21 June, Nancy and I lowered the turbine with the griphoist. (Because we will be traveling for the next five months I didn't want the turbine to run unattended and thought it best to lower the turbine and store it in a safe place.)