How Many Gourds on 2" Pole ??

[Hanover Bill]

Anyone out there have any experience with 18 gourds hung on a 2" square aluminum pole? Right now I have two 2" aluminum poles with 12 gourds a piece on them. No issues at all with the wind with this set up. I am thinking about possible expansion next year to 18 gourds on one or both of them . They sell an adapter for this purpose, but I am wondering if it is going to be too much weight for the 2" pole. I wouldn't think they would sell the adapter if the pole would not stand up to it.

I don't get constant high winds here but we do get the occasional severe thunderstorm which can whip up 60MPH plus winds for short periods of time.

Thanks;
Hanover Bill.

[Dale D]

In my opinion the pole will handle the extra weight but just keep in mind you're adding more wind resistance so when those thunderstorms are in your forecast play it safe and lower the rack to 8 or 10 feet and I think you will be alright.

[flyin-lowe]

I have a AAA gourd rack with 2 inch pole. It holds 16 gourds just fine. In strong winds it will move a little and I lower it if storms are forecasted. It is probably close to 10 years old and still very straight. I wouldn't be afraid to hang 2 more gourds on it.

[Dave Reynolds]

I have a AAA gourd rack with 2 inch pole. It holds 16 gourds just fine. In strong winds it will move a little and I lower it if storms are forecasted. It is probably close to 10 years old and still very straight. I wouldn't be afraid to hang 2 more gourds on it.

..
.
Thanks Flyin-Lowe.... I was thinking about a AAA-16 gourd rack for next year.. The two inch square pole was my only concern..

Dave

[flyin-lowe]

I've been very happy with mine. Back when I bought it about 10 years ago it was the best bang for the buck. If I remember correctly back then I paid like 220.00 for it including shipping.

[John Miller]

Have seen up to 24 gourds on two inch poles, but always looks like disaster waiting to happen to me...not a matter of if, but when. If you have concerns, don't over weight poles.

[John Miller]

[attachment=1]Housing modifications resized II.jpg[/attachment]Here are two photos of how I've been trying to reinforce some of my poles at public sites...I can't lower when a storm approaches.

One manufactuer told me that the location on the square pole mostly likely to bend under stress is right at the top of the interior mounting post, which usually is up 1.5 feet above ground. That said, I did see a report online this year of a square pole -- don't recall if it was 2 or 3 inch -- just sort of curve bending in the lower section in a storm. However, I've been adding these corners either 4 or 3 foot lengths to the poles, near the base and at least a foot or more above the interior mounting post. These are just 3/4 inch angle aluminum strips, 1/8 inch thick material. they are held on with small brackets I make myself and attach with stainless 1/4 bolts, nuts and washers. I use two brackets for 3 foot long braces and three for 4-foot long braces. This tinkering may interfere with winches and rope winders, but the bracing strips can sometimes be run under the existing pole hardware. I would not drill into a pole to attach the braces, as that would weaken it, but the braces may add wind support and at least do no harm.

[handyman315]

Housing modifications resized II.jpgHere are two photos of how I've been trying to reinforce some of my poles at public sites...I can't lower when a storm approaches.

One manufactuer told me that the location on the square pole mostly likely to bend under stress is right at the top of the interior mounting post, which usually is up 1.5 feet above ground. That said, I did see a report online this year of a square pole -- don't recall if it was 2 or 3 inch -- just sort of curve bending in the lower section in a storm. However, I've been adding these corners either 4 or 3 foot lengths to the poles, near the base and at least a foot or more above the interior mounting post. These are just 3/4 inch angle aluminum strips, 1/8 inch thick material. they are held on with small brackets I make myself and attach with stainless 1/4 bolts, nuts and washers. I use two brackets for 3 foot long braces and three for 4-foot long braces. This tinkering may interfere with winches and rope winders, but the bracing strips can sometimes be run under the existing pole hardware. I would not drill into a pole to attach the braces, as that would weaken it, but the braces may add wind support and at least do no harm.

Ingenious, John. Anything to strengthen a pole, especially without interfering with the winch or weakening the pole in other ways is sound landlording IMO. These constant Ohio winds have slightly "rainbowed" one of my 3" ROUND poles.

[~Ray~Gingerich]

I have a round rack that has a 2”x 4ft angle iron embedded slightly into the concrete just behind the ground stake, on top of the angle it’s tied tightly to the pole. This spring when we had a tornado some of my poles were bent over and one T-14 pole snapped off. The pole with the angle iron attached remained perfectly straight and poles on either side were bent.

[Anthony Neira]

John M. I Give Up ! What Kind of Gourd is that in your top picture ? A Natural one with porch, tunnel & port installed ? A Dome Top ? I see 2 purple lines on it ?, Thanks, Anthony

[Dave Reynolds]

... John --- Thanks for the photos... I may try and re-enforce my 2 inch square pole next spring. That looks to be a good fix..

Dave

[John Miller]

Anthony..that's a smaller natural gourd that was hanging with wire from the porch of the Trendsetter, not shown. A friend, not me, had decorated it with some flowers painted on, because this location is the Missouri Botanical Garden. ha.