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How To Install a Flagpole

Tip before jumping into installation: Where you place the flagpole matters! Find a spot that fits your goals, such as having visibility from the road or a building. In addition, check if there is enough space for the flag(s) to fly in any direction without obstruction. If you're having difficulty choosing a spot or have questions, we can help.

Ground Set Flagpole Foundation Illustration

1. Foundation

First choose a location for the flapgole and dig a hole. The size of the hole is based on the flagpole height. See our flagpole foundation dimensions for information about the size and depth of the hole.

After the hole is dug, place ground sleeve in center of hole, pushing corrugated sleeve rod into the ground until ground sleeve steel support plate is resting on the bottom of the hole. The top of the sleeve should be 1"- 2" above grade for good drainage. When concrete is poured, it will fill in the area between the setting plate and the base plate. Carefully plumb the ground sleeve tube vertically and brace it so that it cannot move while concrete is being poured. Use a level inserted into the sleeve to ensure it is vertical.

Slowly pour concrete, continuing to verify vertical plumb. Care should be taken that the pouring of the concrete is not at a rate that might cause the ground sleeve to "float up" as the concrete goes under the base plate (refer to drawing). Trowel to desired finish. Keep the inside of the sleeve dry and free of debris by covering the opening. Allow concrete to cure for a minimum of 24 hours.

Flagpole Joints Matching Numbers

2. Shaft Preparation

Flagpole should be assembled with base as close as possible to the foundation.

If you have a single piece flagpole, you can move onto the next step (Hardware Assembly)

If you have a multi-section flagpole, the flagpole joints are designed and fabricated with self-aligning jam sleeve. Joints incorporate tight tolerances for a strong and permanent field assembly. Inspect shaft sections for damage.

Keep finished surfaces of shaft free from handprints and excess lubricants. Gently slide sections of flagpole, with match marks in line with lower section, onto jam sleeve as far as possible without forcing the two pieces together. Rolling flagpole 180° with every 2" to 3" may facilitate easier fit. If extreme difficulty is experienced while fitting the first 6 inches together, pull apart, cool the male section with ice for several minutes. With pieces in line, place a 4 x 4 block of wood against top of flagpole, to absorb direct shock, and firmly strike wood to drive the sections together. Excessive force is not necessary. If flagpole is a 3-piece unit, clean, lubricate and install the next section in same manner as above.

Flagpole Hardware Assembly Diagram

3. Hardware Assembly

When working with threaded aluminum components, a light coat of an anti-seize compound (available at most hardware stores) is recommended.

Truck

If the truck is stationary (i.e. does not rotate) - Slide truck over the top of the flagpole, rotating the truck to align pulley in desired direction. The most common direction is directly over the cleat, but locations allowing for installations aligning truck direction with the prevailing wind may also be desired. After determining the direction of the truck, secure it to the top of the flagpole by tightening the set screws with an Allen head wrench.

If your truck is revolving - Carefully check Rotating Truck Assembly and Flagpole Top Insert threads for burrs or irregularities. Thread Rotating Truck Assembly Spindle into top of flagpole. Do not use epoxy on the spindle of the truck. These threads are 1 ¼" NPT (National Pipe Thread). Extreme care should be taken to avoid cross threading the components, as Aluminum threads can be easily damaged. Snug spindle using appropriately sized wrench. Threads are tapered and manufactured in such a manner that approximately half of the spindle threads should go into shaft before it is fully seated.

Ornament

Unpack flagpole ball and thread jam nut up threads. Epoxy (Loctite type product) is recommended. Hint: (Add a half inch lock washer or 5/8" depending on the spindle shaft size). After applying small amount of epoxy, carefully thread ball into top of truck. Grip spindle/rod with vise grips and tighten. Do not grip ball to tighten. Ornament shaft should protrude approximately 1/4" inside truck cover. After ball is in place, use properly sized wrench to jam nut against top of truck assembly (this is mainly a friction fit)(. If your truck incorporates a set screw, use an Allen wrench to tighten screw into Ball Stem.

Cleat

Install the cleat(s) to 1/4"-20NC tapped holes in flagpole. Bolt holes are located approximately 4'-1/2" above ground level. Slide provided stainless steel screws through the cleat and start them into the pre-drilled holes and snug with hex wrench. Be careful not to cross thread any threaded component or over tighten. Work both screws together rather than one at a time.

Halyard

Feed appropriate size rope halyard, around truck pulley and down toward the bottom of the flagpole as far as they will reach. Size the halyard below the cleat based on the amount of halyard desired to wrap around the cleat (the length cut at grade leaves the slack needed for snaphooks and securing a good cleat fit). Cut off any extra length and very carefully fuse the end of the halyard with a hot blade or flame. Tie the two ends of halyard together with a square knot to form a complete loop. (do this right away so you do not loose the rope in the wind and the halyard rope runs up the flagpole). I like to use a fisherman knot. I always tape down both loose halyard ends to the loop using white electrical tape. Install flagsnaps and neoprene covers at equal distance on either side of knot to accommodate flag size, this will keep the knot out of the cleat or from banging on the flagpole. (see Snap Hook Attachment Diagram).

Collar

Before standing flagpole, gently slide flash collar up toward the cleat or access door, from bottom and tape it out of the way near cleat (be careful not to drop the flagpole as the flash collar can be easily damaged). Use of protective wrapping around shaft as this location will provide protection to the flagpole finish during the installation process.

4. Standing The Flagpole

When placing flagpole in ground sleeve, consideration should be given turning the shaft aligning the stationary truck, non-revolving truck to face down wind or the direction opposite from the location's prevailing winds. This will increase the chances of the wind and flag flowing in the same direction (this is great for longer flag flying life / durability). If a revolving truck assembly is used, shaft direction is not important.

If the truck is stationary then, rotate the access door or cleat to the desired side of the flagpole for user approach / operation. This may result in resetting the stationary truck considering wind related stress reasons.

The flagpole butt should be positioned near the ground sleeve foundation. Raising the flagpole up and then down into the previously installed ground sleeve (if you are installing a 15' – 25' a manageable length and weight, maximum length for walking up a flagpole safely is approximately a finished grade 30' x .156 wall weight). Now, use the butt end of the shaft holding down firmly to the middle edge of the ground sleeve. Make sure as it is lifted that it does not pop out or up and out losing control. Lift or hinge the flagpole up into the ground sleeve opening, the corrugated ground sleeve will help lock the shaft in place once it is a few inches set in against the back of the ground sleeve. The flagpole should not slip out from there, use this method as a hinge and have 1 or 2 others walk the flagpole up and lower it into the ground sleeve. For larger flagpoles, the job will require the use of a crane or bucket truck, etc. Professionals experienced in such installations should perform rigging and lifting. During lift, keep clear of area and reach of flagpole path.

If you have a multi-section flagpole, extra care must be used when setting it into sleeve. Before standing flagpole, make certain that the joints are fully seated, and that shaft is straight.

Arrange lift rigging in such a way that flagpole sections are supported from bottom of flagpoles so that flagpole joints are pushed together, not pulled apart, during lift.

Flagpoles will have some spacing between the shaft and inside of ground sleeve. You have inserted the flagpole into the ground sleeve (galvanized corrugated 16-gauge steel or PVC tube) and plumb flagpole with using wooden wedges.

Center the flagpole in the bullseye using the teepee guides at the bottom of the ground sleeve. Slowly fill void between flagpole and ground sleeve with washed and screened, dry tamped sand. Fill ground sleeve 6" to 8" at a time (leveling the shaft as you fill) tamp as you fill. Fill ground sleeve with sand to about 1-1/2" - 2" from top, then cap with waterproof compound.

After use a waterproof compound has dried, slide flash collar down into position and caulk joint with matching color silicone to seal space between flagpole and flash collar.

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