I bought the 2” multipurpose pole last year with two watersedge 6 rooms each. (With rope pulley system) I also had a S&K house on a telescopic pole, which I am no longer going to use. This year I’m only using the 2” multipurpose pole and it’s at capacity with Martin’s. I added two S&K gourds and the new martin’s have claimed them. I still have birds fighting to get a spot. Here’s my concern. Is the 2 inch multipurpose pole strong enough to hold the two watersedge houses plus 4 S&K gourds that seem heavy? I would like to add the other two gourds, but worried it’s too much weight. The pole is on the edge of wide open lake and we have strong wind in NE Oklahoma. I lower it some when storms or high wind is coming. I have know way of weighing the housing and gourds now that they are up maybe wish I had got the 3” pole now. I hate seeing PM’s on the porch wanting to get in at night.
One more question. I bought the quick release pole guard. A few weeks ago we had strong wind ( 30 & 40) for about 24 hours straight and the rope showed a small amount of wear even with the rubber encased around it. Any suggestions? I’m afraid to use it now only using the snake guard netting. Appreciate any suggestions. Thanks MKaye
About the rope fraying . I have the same guard. To prevent that from happening I widened the small hole to 1 inch diameter. I cut a 3/4 inch (inside diameter) piece of pvc pipe into a 2 inch length. I slid it through the hole so half sticks out the top, and half sticks out the bottom of the top piece of the guard , to create a plastic sleeve. I secured the sleeve with an L bracket bolted to the top of the guard and used a small hose clamp to secure the L bracket to the pvc sleeve. I ran the rope through the sleeve. So it can’t rub against the sharp metal edge of the original hole. Works great.
Good luck
Rob
Hi MKaye,
You should be good. I'm (attempting) to attach a photo of a setup I erected some years back, that consisted of two modified Trios and 4 gourds. I too was a bit concerned that I had overloaded it a bit, but it was fine. Admittedly, I did not raise it all the way. The height the housing is in the attached photo is pretty much where I always had it.
Thanks, Matt. I plan to add the other two gourds today giving a few more birds a place to go. Cool temperatures and a lot of rain coming our way this week. Kaye
maybe wish I had got the 3” pole now. I hate seeing PM’s on the porch wanting to get in at night. 