S&K RP19 round pole

[fzelch]

I purchased the S&K RP19 round pole and the ground socket for this pole. After looking at this ground socket and pole I cannot figure out how this pole does not rotate, turn, twist or whatever when the pole is up with the martin house and gourd racks on it. I find no pin that keeps the pole from spinning causing the pole to turn or rotate as it is in the ground socket (which gets concreted) in the ground. I have used the S&K tri and quad tell poles for the past 3 years with no issues. So has anyone used this pole and if so what was used to prevent the pole from rotating taking the directional setting?

[Mhoover]

I glued a short section (8 inches) of 2 inch diameter PVC pipe to the upper end of the ground socket and buried it so that the top of the PVC pipe sits at ground level. A 1/4 inch hole drilled through the PVC pipe and the pole just below (2 Inches) the top of the PVC pipe locks the pole and keeps it from rotating when you insert a 1/4 inch bolt through the pole and PVC pipe. Just remove the bolt when you take it down for the winter.

edit: The ground socket fits smoothly inside the 2 inch diameter PVC pipe.

[fzelch]

Mhoover, thanks for the information. I will get the PVC and do as you state. You would think S&K would know about this issue.

[flyin-lowe]

Is there a pulley system on the house and pole or what. I am not familiar with this pole but I have a round pole for my T14. The pole sits in a round ground sleeve and it has enough weight to it that it won't spin. When the house is raised up it doesn't spin because the cable can't twist because the pulley keeps it straight. When I lower the house past half way down it will twist a little in heavy winds but not enough to to change the orientation of the openings. It only twists an inch or so.

[fzelch]

flyin-lowe, this pole comes with a rope and pulley system. The house will not rotate when it is in the up position because the rope holds it in place. However, being that the pole and the ground sleeve are both round, without a pin or something to keep the 'Pole' locked in place from turning as it is sitting in the ground sleeve, the pole will turn thereby turning the house out of alignment. This is the only drawback I can see to this pole. I will use the 2" PVC pipe idea to correct this.

[Emil Pampell-Tx]

Maybe a hose clamp would help to hold it in place. Also, a wedge would seem to be the easiest, like a 16d nail driven between the two

[AnnieM]

We have the same S&K RP19 pole & ground socket you mention. We only have 6 gourds on it at this time, but with the weight of the gourds plus the weight of the pole sections, the pipe has never twisted in the socket. In fact, it fits so tight that it takes a major effort to pull it out.
My only issue with the round pole is that the gourd rack does twist some in the wind as others mentioned when lowered and have to be careful when raising it to make sure it gets back in exactly same position. Further, when raised it will twist in +15mph winds, more than I like to see. When the winds stop, the gourd rack goes back to original position & pulley holds it there. But haven't been able to figure out any way to keep rack from twisting and I see that as a negative. If someone has any ideas, I would appreciate hearing. Otherwise, I'm thinking to replace it with a square pole unit next winter.