We installed the first pieces of the telescope at Site #2 today. The pedestal and fork are now in place, along with the HA and fork counterweights. The crane had another fuel line issue this morning after the installation of the pedestal, so we went and unloaded the rest of the parts from the container while the mechanic fixed the problem. While finishing the installation of the fork, the weather turned bad so we closed up the dome and headed back to the dormitory until things cleared up. We were able to install some counterweights on the fork this afternoon, as well as get the HA drive mechanism in shape.

The weather forecast for tomorrow depends on which forecast we are reading at the time, so we have no idea when Lidia will hit. We plan to try to finish lifting everything tomorrow morning if the weather is clear.

Here are some photos from earlier today.

Checking to see if the boom extension is needed to get the pieces in place (it was not needed).

Flat bed in position for telescope parts to be lifted.

Ready to start lift of pedestal.

Pedestal in place atop the pier.

Mechanic working on the crane.

Offloading the remaining parts from the flatbed so we can drive it back to the container and finish unloading it.

We tried using the winch on the truck to drag the parts to the front of the container. It was much easier than using the crane.

Pulling out the pallet with the primary mirror cell, center section, and focus housing.

Crane takes over to lift pallet onto flatbed.

Dec counterweights getting rigged for lifting.

Electronics rack now on the truck, along with Dec drive (wooden crate shown on the right). Container is now fully unloaded.

Back up at Site #2. Mechanic has fixed the crane so we are ready to lift the fork.

We re-rigged the fork with a chain hoist on the center so we can adjust the angle of the fork for mounting on the pedestal.

Lifting the fork again for installation on pedestal.

Fork in place, being bolted onto pedestal.

Jacking up the fork to remove shipping fixtures so friction drive wheel will rest on bearings.

Finishing up installation of the HA counterweight mechanism.