Grandpa MSS12 - Anyway to reduce the screechy sound?

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ck40711
Posts: 31
Joined: Tue Jan 06, 2015 12:29 pm
Location: TX/Magnolia

Hello, I have the Grandpa MSS12 that goes up and down the pole with a rope. Before this I had a plastic S&K house that was extremely quiet when raising and lowering it. This Trio/Erva Tool house makes a loud/screechy noise when raising it. Does anyone have any remedies they have used to reduce the noise when raising this house? Thanks
Casey
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Magnolia, Texas
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Michael N
Posts: 48
Joined: Sun Jul 11, 2004 12:39 pm
Location: KS/Wichita

Same issue with my trio grandma - lot of metal on metal noise. I climb a couple steps up the ladder and guide it up the pole with my free hand the first few feet or so while pulling down on the rope to kill the noise. The last few feet, though, can be nails on a chalkboard. Haven't tried fixing it, but interested to see if others have...
2013 - Several Visitors
2014 - 3 pair (12 fledged)
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Site Admin
Posts: 339
Joined: Thu Oct 30, 2003 1:16 pm
Location: Erie, PA

There is a fix that involves replacing plate with piece of wood or heavy plastic. We will try to find a photo and how to info to share.

This forum post is old, but describes the process, at least:

https://www.purplemartin.org/forum/view ... hp?t=14876
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ck40711
Posts: 31
Joined: Tue Jan 06, 2015 12:29 pm
Location: TX/Magnolia

I use the rope that came with the house/pole. Wondering if the cable and winch that is available for this house reduces the noise any? Thanks
Casey
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Magnolia, Texas
2015 - 0
2016 - 1 pair of visitors
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DornCounty
Posts: 2169
Joined: Tue Feb 14, 2012 3:58 pm
Location: Rural SE Kansas
Martin Colony History: .
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Trio-Jedi

ck40711 wrote:I use the rope that came with the house/pole. Wondering if the cable and winch that is available for this house reduces the noise any? Thanks

Only by taking longer to raise it. The noise comes from the aluminum frame scratching against the pole. This would be such an easy fix on a new design, but I don't think they are interested in updating it.
2017 - Home & Public Colonies - 300 Cavities
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4th Gen Martin Fan
Posts: 1498
Joined: Thu Jul 04, 2013 1:19 pm
Location: TN/Collierville
Martin Colony History: I have been exposed to purple martin sounds in utero when my mother went out to get my father away from his martin colony.
I played around the martin colony every summer and watched as my father maintained his colony. In the late 50's until the 70's he did not notice European Starlings in south Texas.
When old enough, I helped maintain his colony. My primary task was eliminating English House Sparrows with a 1956 Benjamin 317 .177 air rifle.
When I settled into my own home, I started my first colony with an original Trio Castle and Trio Grandpa. When I moved again, I did not put up any martin houses. Frustration with European Starlings in the Southeast US was overwhelming.
Found PMCA Forum and learned about modern enlarged compartments and SREHs.
Inherited my father's last martin house, a Trio Grandma, modified it to modern specifications and have had good results since then.

The winch system eliminates the metal to metal noise for the very reason which Andrew (DornCounty) advises. It is slower to raise and lower.
I know that many people will not use the winch system due to the cost. I installed it for my personal colony and I love it.
Mark.
Mark.
Firm believer in HOSP/EUST Control, Enlarged Compartments, SREHs, Pole Predator Guards, Owl/Hawk Guards, Mite/Parasite Control, Housing Insulation, and Vents for Compartment Cooling.
PMCA Member.
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Dave Duit
Posts: 2145
Joined: Tue Nov 25, 2003 2:02 pm
Location: Iowa / Nevada
Martin Colony History: In 2024, 82 pair with 350 fledged youngsters. 110 total cavities available, 82 Troyer Horizontal gourds and a homemade PVC / metal 28 compartment unit, 1 fallout shelter. Hawk and owl guards included. Martin educator and speaker. President and founder of the Iowa Purple Martin Organization. Please visit Iowa Purple Martin Organization on Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1627283871068161 Emails send to [email protected]. Subject line include Iowa Purple Martin.

Hi, I hope this advice is useful. Use Liquid Wrench Silicone spray on the metal pole. It stops the metal noise and protects from rust.
ImageMite control, heat venting, predator protection and additional feeding during bad weather add up to success.
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paule
Posts: 135
Joined: Mon Nov 09, 2015 2:06 pm
Location: Central Iowa
Martin Colony History: 5 Modified Trios 10 Gourds and 1 B&B
2025 33 Pair 83 Fledged
2024 39 Pair 75 Fledged
2023 33 Pair 114 Fledged
2022 27 Pair 113 Fledged
2021 31 Pair 115 Fledged
2020 29 Pair 109 Fledged
2019 24 Pair 83 Fledged
2018 23 Pair 92 Fledged
2017 26 Pair 105 Fledged
2016 21 Pair 99 Fledged
2015 15 Pair 59 Fledged
2014 18 Pair 40 Fledged
2013 16 Pair 30 Fledged
2012 10 Pair 30 Fledged
Started in late 1980's

I agree with Dave on using a lubricant. Early on I went with the wood bushing until it rotted. If I had went with plastic I’m sure I’d still be using it. I went back to the metal and used silicone for a while. I now use the grease I use on my boat. It is clear, very slick and very water-resistant unlike the soap based greases. I apply a very thin coat using a rag as high as I can reach. The safety clamp and house go up and down very smooth and the pole looks like it’s new. Hope this helps. Paul

P.S. I only need to do this about every three years.
Project MartinWatch participants and supplemental feeding is provided. I also add heat to housing when needed.
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~Ray~Gingerich
Posts: 2122
Joined: Mon Jan 05, 2004 10:24 pm
Location: Delaware/Dover

I got rid of my pole trio pole and installed the house on a multi purpose pole...I love it! I did have to put an aluminum patch over the hole in the roof but that wasn't a big deal.
~Ray~ Gingerich
1999 1pair, 2006 2 pair, 2008 2 pair,
2009 23 pair, 2010 39 pair, 2011 67 pair,
2012 115 pair, 2013 160 pair,
2014 152 pair, 2015 174 pair, 2016 178 pair
2017 187 pair, 2018 200 pair, 2019 171pair
2020 233 pair
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taxidermy lady
Posts: 2988
Joined: Sun Mar 02, 2014 10:21 am
Location: IL/Ellis Grove
Martin Colony History: Started trying to attract purple martins in 2012! It's finally happened in 2017! 5 years!!! ASY male and SY female came May 1st, fledged 5 babies!

I have a winch on my new trio and no screeching sounds. I love the winch idea :wink:
Sharon from southern Illinois
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Matt F.
Posts: 3978
Joined: Mon Feb 28, 2005 9:48 am
Location: Houston, TX

DornCounty wrote:This would be such an easy fix on a new design
I agree Andrew.
I very thin gauge sleeve (like a smaller, lightweight version of the house tube the big Castles have) would totally nix that problem.
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DornCounty
Posts: 2169
Joined: Tue Feb 14, 2012 3:58 pm
Location: Rural SE Kansas
Martin Colony History: .
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Trio-Jedi

Matt F. wrote:
DornCounty wrote:This would be such an easy fix on a new design
I agree Andrew.
I very thin gauge sleeve (like a smaller, lightweight version of the house tube the big Castles have) would totally nix that problem.

Lots of new materials too. UHMW plastic is probably the best path. Cheaper and would better. That material is self-lubricating.

Someday I'm going to buy the nature House brand from ERVA Tool and do it up right.
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