Pole maintenance advise

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dsonyay
Posts: 1677
Joined: Fri Jul 02, 2010 3:10 pm
Location: Louisiana/Broussard
Martin Colony History: 2010-2014 located in Slidell LA. Gourd rack with 16 gourds. Max of 2 pairs during this short period in Slidell. Plenty of fledglings.

2014-present.. moved to Broussard LA. Same Gourd Rack but added a 6 room house (modified from a 12 room)

2020: after a long drought of nothing, 4 pairs and 4 nests, 23 eggs total.
6 fledges.

2021: 9 pair, 47 eggs
36 hatchlings
30 fledged

2022: about 12 pairs.. many eggs, all fledged.. only had one hatchling die.. probably because of our schnauzer. :(

2023: 16 pairs. So far about 60 chicks with about a dozen eggs to go.

2024: 13 pair. About 60 eggs
2025: 14 pairs .. 69 eggs.

I'm going to order a complete pulley and rope kit for next year.

Also- not sure what to do here, but the sleeve that holds the arms and slides up and down the pole is missing most of the little plastic buttons that kinda filled the gap between pole and socket. Is it possible to buy replacements?? Or do I need to buy a whole new sleeve?

97F today. A hot day… two cavities left to fledge in next couple of days.

Thanks,
David
Broussard LA
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white-out
Posts: 150
Joined: Wed Feb 27, 2019 9:21 am
Location: ohio

I'm sure most martin supply stores sell them. I bought some from Troyers. I think it was an eight pack but don't hold me to it. It's nice to have extras lying around anyways.

Praying for cooler weather for you folks!
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Thomabear
Posts: 484
Joined: Tue Jun 02, 2020 10:10 am
Location: Cut Off, Louisiana

I did away with the buttons and installed 1/4” nylon bolts with locking nuts on the outside. The hex head is somewhat thicker than the buttons and takes the excess play out between the hub and pole. All you need to do is open up the mounting holes with a 1/4” drill bit then you will have an unlimited supply of replacements. Although I never lost another one since doing the mod.
2019- 6 Pair, 30 Fledged
2020- 8 Pair, 32 Fledged
2021- 10 Pair, 39 Fledged
HOSP count 130, Starlings 2
2022- 31 Pair, 146 Fledged
HOSP count to date 17, Starlings 1
2023- 28 Pair, 124 Fledged
HOSP count 47, Starlings 1
2024- 40 Pair, 192 Fledged
HOSP count 37
2025-42 Pair, 202 Fledged
HOSP count 46
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flyin-lowe
Posts: 3788
Joined: Wed Mar 29, 2006 8:49 am
Location: Indiana/Henry Co.

Not sure which brand of racks you have but Troyer has the replacement buttons for the racks they now sell. I need to replace some of mine this off season.
2026 HOSP 26
2025 62 pair HOSP 20
2024 60 pair, HOSP 44
2023 60+ pair, HOSP 8
2022 60 nests with 262 eggs, HOSP 14
2021 62 pair, HOSP 9
2020 42 nest, HOSP 8
2019- 31 pair
2018- 15 pair 49 fledged
2017 3 SY pair, 12 eggs , fledged 10. 4 additional lone SY's
2016 1 pair fledged 4
2015 Visitors
2014 Visitors
2013 Moved 6 miles, 1 pair fledged 2.
2012 30 pair fledged 100.
2011 12 pair 43 fledged.
2010 5 pair 14 fledged.
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dsonyay
Posts: 1677
Joined: Fri Jul 02, 2010 3:10 pm
Location: Louisiana/Broussard
Martin Colony History: 2010-2014 located in Slidell LA. Gourd rack with 16 gourds. Max of 2 pairs during this short period in Slidell. Plenty of fledglings.

2014-present.. moved to Broussard LA. Same Gourd Rack but added a 6 room house (modified from a 12 room)

2020: after a long drought of nothing, 4 pairs and 4 nests, 23 eggs total.
6 fledges.

2021: 9 pair, 47 eggs
36 hatchlings
30 fledged

2022: about 12 pairs.. many eggs, all fledged.. only had one hatchling die.. probably because of our schnauzer. :(

2023: 16 pairs. So far about 60 chicks with about a dozen eggs to go.

2024: 13 pair. About 60 eggs
2025: 14 pairs .. 69 eggs.

Thomabear wrote: ↑
Sun Jun 19, 2022 10:36 pm
 I did away with the buttons and installed 1/4” nylon bolts with locking nuts on the outside. The hex head is somewhat thicker than the buttons and takes the excess play out between the hub and pole. All you need to do is open up the mounting holes with a 1/4” drill bit then you will have an unlimited supply of replacements. Although I never lost another one since doing the mod.
Good idea. Can they be found at Home Depot or Lowes?
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dsonyay
Posts: 1677
Joined: Fri Jul 02, 2010 3:10 pm
Location: Louisiana/Broussard
Martin Colony History: 2010-2014 located in Slidell LA. Gourd rack with 16 gourds. Max of 2 pairs during this short period in Slidell. Plenty of fledglings.

2014-present.. moved to Broussard LA. Same Gourd Rack but added a 6 room house (modified from a 12 room)

2020: after a long drought of nothing, 4 pairs and 4 nests, 23 eggs total.
6 fledges.

2021: 9 pair, 47 eggs
36 hatchlings
30 fledged

2022: about 12 pairs.. many eggs, all fledged.. only had one hatchling die.. probably because of our schnauzer. :(

2023: 16 pairs. So far about 60 chicks with about a dozen eggs to go.

2024: 13 pair. About 60 eggs
2025: 14 pairs .. 69 eggs.

flyin-lowe wrote: ↑
Mon Jun 20, 2022 8:24 am
 Not sure which brand of racks you have but Troyer has the replacement buttons for the racks they now sell. I need to replace some of mine this off season.
Thanks! Pretty sure that’s what I have. I think he tool over the company I originally bought my pole from.
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Thomabear
Posts: 484
Joined: Tue Jun 02, 2020 10:10 am
Location: Cut Off, Louisiana

dsonyay wrote: ↑
Mon Jun 20, 2022 10:12 am
Thomabear wrote: ↑
Sun Jun 19, 2022 10:36 pm
 I did away with the buttons and installed 1/4” nylon bolts with locking nuts on the outside. The hex head is somewhat thicker than the buttons and takes the excess play out between the hub and pole. All you need to do is open up the mounting holes with a 1/4” drill bit then you will have an unlimited supply of replacements. Although I never lost another one since doing the mod.
Good idea. Can they be found at Home Depot or Lowes?
Sorry dsonyay, just saw your question. I ordered them at McMaster Carr.
Part Number for the nylon bolts is 91244A537, $16.46 for 100.
Part Number for the Nylon Locking Nuts is 94909A029, $16.51 for 100.
I used 24 each for my hub and I can't see ever having to replace them so I have plenty extra. I can send you some if you like... Let me know
2019- 6 Pair, 30 Fledged
2020- 8 Pair, 32 Fledged
2021- 10 Pair, 39 Fledged
HOSP count 130, Starlings 2
2022- 31 Pair, 146 Fledged
HOSP count to date 17, Starlings 1
2023- 28 Pair, 124 Fledged
HOSP count 47, Starlings 1
2024- 40 Pair, 192 Fledged
HOSP count 37
2025-42 Pair, 202 Fledged
HOSP count 46
Top
dsonyay
Posts: 1677
Joined: Fri Jul 02, 2010 3:10 pm
Location: Louisiana/Broussard
Martin Colony History: 2010-2014 located in Slidell LA. Gourd rack with 16 gourds. Max of 2 pairs during this short period in Slidell. Plenty of fledglings.

2014-present.. moved to Broussard LA. Same Gourd Rack but added a 6 room house (modified from a 12 room)

2020: after a long drought of nothing, 4 pairs and 4 nests, 23 eggs total.
6 fledges.

2021: 9 pair, 47 eggs
36 hatchlings
30 fledged

2022: about 12 pairs.. many eggs, all fledged.. only had one hatchling die.. probably because of our schnauzer. :(

2023: 16 pairs. So far about 60 chicks with about a dozen eggs to go.

2024: 13 pair. About 60 eggs
2025: 14 pairs .. 69 eggs.

Thomabear wrote: ↑
Tue Jun 21, 2022 11:09 pm
dsonyay wrote: ↑
Mon Jun 20, 2022 10:12 am
Thomabear wrote: ↑
Sun Jun 19, 2022 10:36 pm
 I did away with the buttons and installed 1/4” nylon bolts with locking nuts on the outside. The hex head is somewhat thicker than the buttons and takes the excess play out between the hub and pole. All you need to do is open up the mounting holes with a 1/4” drill bit then you will have an unlimited supply of replacements. Although I never lost another one since doing the mod.
Good idea. Can they be found at Home Depot or Lowes?
Sorry dsonyay, just saw your question. I ordered them at McMaster Carr.
Part Number for the nylon bolts is 91244A537, $16.46 for 100.
Part Number for the Nylon Locking Nuts is 94909A029, $16.51 for 100.
I used 24 each for my hub and I can't see ever having to replace them so I have plenty extra. I can send you some if you like... Let me know

Thanks for the offer.. I'd be happy to buy a dozen or so from you. Looks like you have plenty. I’ll pm you later and exchange addresses. Thanks!
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CTMartins
Posts: 168
Joined: Fri Dec 17, 2021 1:30 pm
Location: Hartford CT

With snow and ice I'm planning to wrap and remove all the gourds and poles and wrap the hub.
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Thomabear
Posts: 484
Joined: Tue Jun 02, 2020 10:10 am
Location: Cut Off, Louisiana

dsonyay wrote: ↑
Thu Jun 23, 2022 8:08 am
Thomabear wrote: ↑
Tue Jun 21, 2022 11:09 pm
dsonyay wrote: ↑
Mon Jun 20, 2022 10:12 am

Good idea. Can they be found at Home Depot or Lowes?
Sorry dsonyay, just saw your question. I ordered them at McMaster Carr.
Part Number for the nylon bolts is 91244A537, $16.46 for 100.
Part Number for the Nylon Locking Nuts is 94909A029, $16.51 for 100.
I used 24 each for my hub and I can't see ever having to replace them so I have plenty extra. I can send you some if you like... Let me know

Thanks for the offer.. I'd be happy to buy a dozen or so from you. Looks like you have plenty. I’ll pm you later and exchange addresses. Thanks!
No need to buy them. PM me your address and I’ll get them in the mail when I return home on Monday. Free of charge.👍
2019- 6 Pair, 30 Fledged
2020- 8 Pair, 32 Fledged
2021- 10 Pair, 39 Fledged
HOSP count 130, Starlings 2
2022- 31 Pair, 146 Fledged
HOSP count to date 17, Starlings 1
2023- 28 Pair, 124 Fledged
HOSP count 47, Starlings 1
2024- 40 Pair, 192 Fledged
HOSP count 37
2025-42 Pair, 202 Fledged
HOSP count 46
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