Primarily Petroliana Shop Talk Forums Shop Talk Petroliana Forums General Petroliana Discussion banjo pole question.

I have been about two years trying to get my 18' texaco sign ready to put up and I am finally there except for pouring the footer for it. I had planned on making it about 2 foot by 2 foot by about 3 foot deep but was told by a local sign company that that wouldn't be enough to hold that big of sign. Anyhow I know some of you have more knowledge about these kinda things than me so please let me know what you think. It is just a regular 18' lolipop or banjo style pole and sign. Thanks, Dean

I have set many of these signs and we always used a 3ft dia. by 8 foot hole. The resistance on these signs is pretty great your local sign guy was right your sign would blow over in a strong gust with the size you had planned and maybe even have baan able to be pushed over by school kids. Anyway hope that helps remember a light breeze is a strong breeze when there is that much surface area to push against.

I had a local sign man give me his thoughts before I put my sign and pole up. He recommended 4' deep with a 2' round cardboard form ( I cannot remember what this form is called ). There is a great deal of limestone in the ground where I live, perhaps that is why these dimensions work in our area. Brady

The form that Brady is talking about is a "sonatube". And is made to be used as a concrete "pour" form. These tubes come in a length of 10' and any concrete company can tell you where to find them. Work great and not all that spendy. On the length part, all supplier's that I have worked with have had no problem in cutting the tube to the desired length I needed. So you most likely won't get stuck buying more tube than you need for your job. They are nice to have if you have some concrete work to do around the house, like pouring deck footings and the like. My .02 cents worth.

When I set my pole, I used two yards of concrete. A yard is equal to two thousand pounds.....so the concrete company said. We have had lots of wind and it seems to work. I think dimensions were 40"x40"x40".

The big thing is the type of soil in your area. In northern Ohio we have such heavy clay you could almost stick it in bare soil and it would stand (just kidding). Go with what your local sign folk recommend. They know what the area ground can support, how it handles water, and a lot of other factors.

Well thanks alot guys. I recon I will make it a little deeper than I had planned. I appreciate your responses. I will try to post a picture when I get it up. Thanks again, Dean

Dig a 6ft hole, set the pole in it. Pour in about 1.5 yds concrete.

Now your pole is 12 ft high, you can see the sign better!!, and less chance of it ever blowing over..

Dean:

Being a electrician i've set hundreds of outdoor lighting poles. Bob has the right idea by using sonatube. But there are a few others things you should know about. You need to put rerod in the form. Square about a foot in size, ask your concrete factory about it, go from the bottom of hole about 8'deep and stop it about 6" from the top. You should use the right size j bolts for the post itself using the correct bolt pattern, you'll need when installing the post. And let's not forget to bring in a power feed so you can light that baby up. 3/4" pvc, turn a 90 about 18" down outside the sonatub and bring it up about 6" above the top of form in the center. There should be a handhole up the side of the post. to do the wiring. Hope this helps.

Doug

Dean:

Think i forgot the most inportant part ! You will want to put a ground rod in, if you're bringing power out to the sign. Wouldn't want to see anyone get hurt !!!

Doug

That's a pretty good idea about just putting the sign in the ground about 6' and sounds alot simpler. But I think I will just keep it all together in case I ever move or God forbid, decide or have to sell it. I don't live in the city so I think 18' will be ok. Does anyone have any ideas on digging a hole besides the hard way with a shovel? Thanks, Dean

Some tree companies have a 36" auger that's that run off a pto. You may want to check around and see if you have any local companies that offer that service.

Scott

DYN-O-MITE !!
LOL
Just kidding.
db

Can be done by hand.. but hard work!

Some dudes west of here built a tunnel under the border that was about3 or 400 ft long, mostly by hand..

If by hand is not your game try to rent a backhoe. $200-$300 for a weekend. Since you live in the country like me you could use the backhoe for a few things you want done around the house. Hope this helps