Fork Mount

The next portion of the telescope to be removed is the fork mount.  This is the heaviest part, weighing some 3500 pounds.  Strictly speaking, it is not just the fork mount that is being removed, but the fork mount plus the primary mirror housing.  Because of the way the primary housing is connected to the fork, removing both in a single operation is less problematic than if they are removed separately.

First, we rotate the fork around the right ascension (hour angle) axis so that the declination drive housing is at is upper culmination.  The intent is to lift the fork at a location just below the drive housing.  This will be right above the center of mass of the assembly.

The hour angle drive cover is removed...

...the fork is lifted out of the pedestal...

...and through the open slit of the building.