2 inch versus 3 inch Square Pole

[Hanover Bill]

I am planning on upgrading my gourd rack this season and would appreciate some input on using either a 2" or a 3" square aluminum, or galvanized steel pole.

We don't get the kind of high winds here in Western Pa. that I'm sure some of you deal with in your part of the country, but we do get our share of severe thunderstorms during which the winds can reach and exceed 60 MPH.

Will the 2" pole withstand those winds as well as the 3". Also, how much of the decision should be based on how many gourds I may eventually hang from the rack and pole?

I'm sure there is a price difference between the two, but I'm wondering if it will be enough to influence my decision.

Thanks in advance;
Hanover Bill.

[klcretired]

Hello Hanover Bill,
I Have Both The 2" Square Pole & The 3" Square Pole
I Love them Both and Both are strong
I have had the 2" for a Decade w/ no Problems, to me the only draw back is the winch & Cable...the cable is small 1/16Th with a 200 lb load capacity
The 3" square Pole has a DL Brake Winch w/ a 3/16th" cable w/ a 350 lb capacity.
I have never had any problems with either one but I Prefer the 3" much better.
The 2" is on my Lone Star Goliad 20 Rm House ,The 3" is on My Gemini Gourd Rack .

[Michael Sanford ~ OK]

I have both. I wish they were all three-inch. The two-inch poles sway quite a bit during severe storms.

[birdy girl]

We have two of the 2" diameter poles and rest (7) are 3" diameter poles. I totally prefer the 3" diameter. We already had to replace the ground stake due to getting bent in strong winds on one of the 2" diameter ones. If I had to do over again, I would purchase the 3 inch diameter poles. We have strong winds and every time a storm comes we worry if those 2 poles will hold up and be standing straight when storm passes. Usually keep the housing lowered some just to help keep the poles from being top heavy.

[JL Murray]

I have both but I trust the 3" much more than the 2", If i had it to do all over again i would buy all 3" System's, Worth spending the extra $$$ IMHO!

[Louise Chambers]

How much weight you are putting on the poles makes a difference, too. For 18-24 gourds, a 3-inch pole would be better, for 12 gourds, a 2-inch should be fine. We have 18 gourds on 2 inch poles and no problems, but we will lower ahead of strong storm systems to be safer.

[tonyg]

I have two 2" square and four 3" square... I prefer the 3"...JMO..

[gwarnerjr]

I have used two 2" round galvanized steel poles for years. One holds 24 natural gourds and the other a T-14 plus 8 natural gourds. A 2 1/2" piece of PVC conduit makes a nice snug ground socket. These pieces of pipe were available to me at no cost so I gave them a try. No problems so far.

[Hanover Bill]

Thanks for all of the great responses and advice. I will be able to make a much more knowledgeable choice thanks to all of you.

Hanover Bill.

[BumBee]

09FEB2014
My Base Pole and Wench at final assembly. The top of the Base serves as the stop for the PM housing when lowered.

The Wench serves as a stop for the pole from rotating over. This will allow the pole to be tilted to one side only.


I would go with the three or four inch square pole for any gourd rack or T14
wooden house.

I have a 24 rooms (12 rooms per pole) home made aluminum housing and the 2 inch square with
.080 thick wall galvanized poles is all I need. My PM housings are up all year.

[birdy girl]

Both my 2" diameter racks hold 16 gourds. They sway pretty bad in wind storms. But as I said in earlier post, we have strong winds in our area.

[~Ray~Gingerich]

Bum Bee that looks like it would be real easy to take down and store for the off season.
Make sure you use new rope each season though, I found the yellow rope does not last very well in weather, sunlight seems to break it down I think.

[BumBee]

Hey Ray,
Thanks for the reminder. I got tired of replacing the yellow (cheap
Harbor Freight) rope every year. I went with a nylon rope that is more
suited for outdoor use. I prefer to use a rope over a metal cable since
my housing are not that heavy.

I made my poles this way so it is easy to service my housing. Specially
when I need to remove my housing and perch from the pole. I can do
this alone without much of a hassle.

[Anthony Neira]

BumBee, that's a great example of a duel post/pole idea A+!

[JL Murray]

I have only One Rack that is 3" Aluminum ( K-Series 18 ) and Three that are 2" Aluminum ( 2 Deluxe 12s & 1 Econo-18 ), I MUCH more prefer the 3" pole over the 2" except when it comes to taking them down for winter storage the 2" poles are much easier to take down and put back up.

If i had it all to do over again though i would have bought all 3" pole gourd racks.

[sully]

I would always go with the strongest pole possible especially if you plan on add gourds later. The height of your pole and number of gourds is the biggest factor. The higher the pole the more stress. None of my houses or gourds are over 10 ft. There use to be a big martin colony on my way home from work and I would drive by slowly and look at it. One day the old fella seen me and waved me over. I walked through his back yard with him and was amazed that none of his pole were more than 8 ft. The martins never flew as we walked by. After I got a colony started I decided to put one of those shepard hook poles up with a gourd for some blue birds that were hanging around. Two years in a row purple martins raised young in it around 5 ft off the ground. Hope you have a good season.

[John Miller]

As some said, it depends on how much weight. But I think after reviewing and discussing storm damage that has occurred, a two inch is more likely to bend at the base of the mounting post. the three inch is more likely to bend in the pole itself at the top of the mounting post (in a very severe storm), but in either case, a lot of weight increases the risk, and a two inch pole with a rope and pulley system can be just fine and appropriate sometimes. John M

[Jeff F]

I am looking to get a 3" square tube next year for my first gourd rack as I am trying to get my first martins. I have had martins visit my house every year for 5-6 years and this year I had a sub adult stick around for a week or two, but never found a mate and finally left. He seemed to like the gourd I put up that is hanging under my martin house, so I want to try a gourd rack near my martin house to hopefully entice someone to stay.

What size thickness pipe should I be looking for? I can't seem to find information on this. I am on a hill and do get some good wind at times. I am also having a tough time finding galvanized or aluminum pipe. I should be able to get steel pipe, but would have to worry about the rust then. Is steel fine as long as I paint it? Any suggestions as to what I can expect to pay for a 15 foot pole, if I can find it in galvanized or aluminum.

Thank you for any help.