2" or 3" pole?

[defed]

i've asked a few questions about poles in the past w/o much response, i suppose i won't get much now either as most everyone is inactive for the year as their season is over.

is the 3" pole overkill for a 12 gourd rack? i don't really want to spend the money but i also don't want to regret having problems w/ the 2". i get some strong winds from the west across the open fields. it's the worst in the winter when the gourds would be down any way. so it's probably not an issue, but would like some feedback.

does everyone leave the poles up all yr (especially those up north) or do you take them off the ground stake? i would definitely take the gourds in the barn and if it's easy enough to remove, the pole too to increase longevity.

[Birdiegirl]

Hi Defed,

We have two poles- one with a T-14, another with a platform/two barns. I don't have any experience with gourd racks, but can share my situation. From what I've read on this site, the pole is the heart of the set up, and I've never heard anyone lament over going with too strong a pole. I was fortunate enough to be given two 3.5" steel poles that my neighbor had in his barn. Free is good, so we made those work. Despite searching several plumbing supply places, we could NOT find PVC pipe the right diameter to use as a ground sleeve- so, we dug two huge holes, reinforced them with rebar, and cemented the poles in the ground. We live in the country- so no restrictions from a Homeowner's Association We take the housing down in the winter, but the poles are a permanent fixture. Perhaps we went overkill, but my very first year we lost our housing to straight line winds when the poles bent and toppled the houses. Just couldn't go through that again. I hope this is helpful- maybe others with gourd setups will have more useful information. Good luck to you!

[defed]

PMCA did say they would customize my bundle to swap the excluders for troyer horizontals. after talking to the rep, i decided for a 12 gourd rack, 2" should be fine and ordered it.

[MartinBoy14012]

I have a Troyer deluxe 12 ground rack with a 2" pole 20' from the shore of Lake Ontario and haven't had any problems. The winds of can get crazy here so I keep the rack 1' from maximum height to be safe as it's a weekend getaway and I'm not always there. You will be fine with the 2" pole as long as you follow the installation instructions. Have fun!

[defed]

I have a Troyer deluxe 12 ground rack with a 2" pole 20' from the shore of Lake Ontario and haven't had any problems. The winds of can get crazy here so I keep the rack 1' from maximum height to be safe as it's a weekend getaway and I'm not always there. You will be fine with the 2" pole as long as you follow the installation instructions. Have fun!

oh yea, i'm sure you get some winds up there. i believe the troyer deluxe and PMCA deluxe are virtually identical. PMCA price was pretty good, but their shipping is CRAZY! the price on the troyer would have been about $20 cheaper in the end, but it said their ground stake is aluminum, PMCA says steel. not that it matters much, but i think i prefer steel even though it may rust out someday.

[C.C.Martins]

I think what you bought will be just fine. You have a nice system coming. Only because of the salt environment and chance of a hurricane we take our 2" poles down for the season. Iv an aluminum ground sleeve and stake. Some rebar in place to give me that peace of mind, like birdiegirl.
In back my pole is steel with ground stake. I just lube the heck out of them when time to take them down and put them up, oh and cap the ground sleeve.

At our home colony, its rare when I raise them all the way up, less stress on the poles. At the preserve its opposite...all the way up. Diffrent reasons really, the preserve is a public site and I feel more comfortable with it all the way up. There's two 4 foot 4x4 posts in the cement, hose clamps secure the pole to the post.
I think you will be very happy! Its fun planning.
Tom

[Martintown33]

I have 2 inch square poles. They are very strong. You should be in good shape with 2 inch pole.
Good luck,
Rob

[defed]

i'll have to measure how tall my current pole is. i think i used 12' 2x and then it's got another 12"-24" on top for the pivot/gourd adapter.

i'm going to leave my current pole (will have to do some repairs after everyone is gone) and then in a cpl yrs i can replace it w/ another 12 gourd rack - instead of taking it down and just putting the new one in its place.

[alfie]

I have 2 3" poles and when it gets windy here I do see them sway a little. One of the poles have 24 gourds on it the other has a Sunset Inn with 10 gourds. I've also added a 6' diameter platform on both of them to keep the raccoons/snakes away. The platform is made of 1/2" x 1/2" wire mesh so it doesn't add much weight to the poles and doesn't catch much wind. I wasn't sure about the 2" so I purchased the 3". I'd rather be safe then sorry.

[defed]

I have 2 3" poles and when it gets windy here I do see them sway a little. One of the poles have 24 gourds on it the other has a Sunset Inn with 10 gourds. I've also added a 6' diameter platform on both of them to keep the raccoons/snakes away. The platform is made of 1/2" x 1/2" wire mesh so it doesn't add much weight to the poles and doesn't catch much wind. I wasn't sure about the 2" so I purchased the 3". I'd rather be safe then sorry.

my original thought was just that, better safe than sorry and go w/ the 3". but after thinking about it and talking to the pmca rep who has a 2", along w/ not putting on more than 12 gourds, i decided 2" would be fine. the fact that martinboy14012 has the same thing on the shore of lake ontario makes me believe it will be plenty strong enough for me.

[Martintown33]

Agree, I think you’ll be fine with the 2 inch. All poles will sway a bit in strong winds. That’s to be expected, since they are top heavy. My 2 inch square poles hold up well to strong winds.
Good luck,
Rob

[defed]

my rack was delivered last night. i think i may add an extension to the bottom of the ground stake so i can 1. put it deeper into the ground and 2. get a little more engagement inside the pole. i can get a piece of 1.5" sq at work and weld it up.

[C.C.Martins]

Comes fast off season! You will have fun putting it all together.

[Martintown33]

Agree! Your pole improvement sounds good and strong. Yep, it’s time for more off-season improvements.. I’m adding pvc panels cut to size, to fit on the left sides of my Martin houses, that get blasted by the afternoon sun. The fitted panels will be offset 3/4 of an inch away from the house sides, and attached, using 3/4 inch long pieces of pvc pipe, and 1inch long bolts and nuts, to allow for air flow, between the panels and the house sides, but still have the panel create a total sun block, resulting in a totally shaded side of the house, that faces the sun. I will cut holes in the panels to allow the already installed elbow vents to stick through, so they can still supply ventilation. Basically , giving purple Martin AC to the houses… I’m thinking about doing the same thing for the gourds, although my gourds already have 2 elbow vents for each gourd.
Happy off-season !
Rob

[C.C.Martins]

Rob!!! Sir, you just solved my house dilemma. I was going to add a false roof to the top of the martin house for air circulation and act as a sun block but didn't know how to space it. You sir, solved that. PVC spacers. Brilliant!

[Martintown33]

Hey Tom, lots of great ideas on here. I’ve got many from you, so I’m glad I could pay you back!! … yes sir, pvc spacers…, .,I’m thinking about doing my roofs too, the same way as the sides, but I was a little concerned about “lift strain” , from strong winds blowing through the house roof and shade panel, gap…. It probably won’t be an issue but I always OVERTHINK things!
Rob

[C.C.Martins]

You did, thanks man!
It is a concern. Certinally something to think about. Here's, this is the house I'm going to phase out...taking one level off, just 3 cavities next season so not to terribly worried, it will be lighter anyway. I just couldn't figure out how. I'll offer 4 gourds to replace the cavity I take out.
Yep, forum is perfect for help.

Wind is always a factor, but boy it saves the day sometimes. Even a hot breeze is a breeze.

[Martintown33]

Agree, wind is our friend during the hot temps… I’m mainly concerned about lift strain during strong straight line storm winds, but I’m sure lowering the house during those times would eliminate that problem, if it would be one at all. Overall, I think the roof panel is a worthwhile improvement for sure! Also, I’ve got 4 elbow vents on each of the house side panels, and I’ve also added 2 elbow vents on each of the roofs too, for a total of 10 elbow vents per house… …now adding the shade panels this off-season…Gotta keep them as comfortable as possible! I have 2 elbow vents per gourd.. Those elbow vents worked great this past season. Not one jumper. Thanks for that great idea! It was a relief not to have to figure out which compartment to put a jumper in, this past season…
Rob

[Bird Brain]

3" pole for me. It's better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

[Martintown33]

Great pronouns!