T14 Safety Stops

[Charles B]

I'm wondering what safety precautions landlords have implemented to reduce the danger of a heavy house falling. My concern is to minimize dangers to both myself and anyone else who might be in the area. I had thought about installing a safety bolt above head height, but I was afraid that drilling a hole through the pole might weaken the pole's resistance against wind load. This year I installed a two x four with the end a few inches above head height, and I would be interested in what others think of this approach.

My house is supported by a steel ground stake in concrete, a U-Shaped pole support, and a square steel pole. Those parts are shown here: http://i823.photobucket.com/albums/zz15 ... fe4720.jpg
The U-shaped support fits into the ground stake, and the pole is held betweeh the two arms of the support using two bolts. The removable wood safety stop sits on the pole with the bottom of the safety stop resting on one arm of the U-shaped pole support. The top of the wood stop is about 6'4" above the ground. http://i823.photobucket.com/albums/zz15 ... 4a94f3.jpg
It is held in place by a short bungee cord. The PMCA predator guard mounts over the wood stop. http://i823.photobucket.com/albums/zz15 ... 9c55fd.jpg
The safety stop and predator guard are easily removable for nest checks.

The idea is that if the cable or winch failed, then the wood T14 adapter would hit the wood safety stop rather than falling all the way to the winch. http://i823.photobucket.com/albums/zz15 ... 5c89de.jpg
The sudden stop might cause one or more of the four compartments to break loose from the adapter, but I'm guessing that it would at least reduce the damage.

Any ideas for improvement (or other suggestions) would be welcome. I am thinking about replacing the single the wood stop with three boards in a U-shape surrounding the pole on three sides, so that the adapter would hit the stop on three sides rather than just the one at present. I also thought about adding a block of foam above the safety stop to add at least a little cushioning.

[H Key]

Sir: Try http:/purplemartin.org/update/14(1)T-14pole.pdf. This is a plan I plan to install after season is over. But anything to slow the fall would be of help. I jist like the idea of an offset winch. Lots of luck. Hubert

[Charles B]

Sir: Try http:/purplemartin.org/update/14(1)T-14pole.pdf. This is a plan I plan to install after season is over. But anything to slow the fall would be of help. I jist like the idea of an offset winch. Lots of luck. Hubert

I tried the link, but got an error message that the file could not be located.
Is this the correct URL? http://purplemartin.org/update/14(1)T14pole.pdf
I like the idea of an offset winch too. But I also want some protection for someone who might just happen to be under the pole, such as someone bumping the pole with a lawn mower, etc.

Thanks,

Charles

[H Key]

Charles, Try going to pmca home and at bottom of page google (safer T-14 pole) and you should get several topics pertaining to this. Sent you a pm but don't know if you got it. You can get idea of offset winch and build to your liking. Again, lots of luck. Hubert

[Matt F.]

Charles,
I remember seeing a contraption on a woodworking forum, that was a safety device added to a wooden Martin house pole.
Here's the link to the gentlemen's post (photos included):
http://lumberjocks.com/projects/6193
Here's one of his photos that shows that safety catch:
http://lumberjocks.com/assets/pictures/ ... 7-438x.jpg

[~Ray~Gingerich]

when I crank my t-14 houses up and down I try to stay under the open space were the corners intersect.

[Charles B]

when I crank my t-14 houses up and down I try to stay under the open space were the corners intersect.

I do to. I also use an electric drill with an extension to get a little farther away. My main concern really is other people (grand kids, visitors, workers, etc.) who may not be aware of the danger.