Trio Castle Modification Question

soonerbliss · Fri Feb 12, 2016 11:02 am

Hello,
I recently decided to sign on and ask a question. I've been trolling this forum for years and have learned a lot from you guys.
My question relates to modifying my Trio Castle for purposes of replacing the current 1.5" pole with a 2" Schedule 80 pipe. The castle has a lift sleeve that runs down the middle of the house (approx. 30") which is attached to the lift cable. Consequently, the house raises and lowers up and down the pole on this sleeve, which appears to be to a 1.75" piece of chain link post.
if I upgrade to a 2" pipe I must modify the lift sleeve to a larger diameter 30" piece, which doesn't seem to be a big deal, but it will require replacing the sleeve with a larger diameter 30" and removing the current clamps that attach the sleeve to the pole/house.
My main question is has anyone made this modification, and if so, what have you found to be the maximum size/diameter of the opening that runs through the middle of the house. the current opening appears to be about 1.75". However, once I decide to remove the "factory" clamps the opening will be much wider, but I didn't know how wide it would be. I've read where folks upgrade these types of houses (Trio) to a larger pole, but didn't know exactly what done to change out the lift sleeves.

I currently have a plan to correct this problem, but wanted to seek advise from folks that may have already made this modification.
any adivse is welcome.
thank you
matt

DornCounty · Fri Feb 12, 2016 3:26 pm

If you do end up doing this upgrade please take photos of the process and post them on here. I would be interested.

Anthony Neira · Fri Feb 12, 2016 4:19 pm

Great Idea Matt, I've been told by others, that they used a PVC pipe as a sleeve. I'm not really sure if/how that worked out for them, maybe just a thought to consider (?

). Best of luck, and like Andrew said, please keep us informed.

eb7786 · Sun Feb 14, 2016 11:26 am

Matt; You didn't say why you are doing this modification. My living in Lawton I can guess it must be the Oklahoma wind. I would suggest working with a section of PVC until you get the bugs worked out. Or, if you can find some other solid steel rod to place inside your existing pole. I use eight foot ground rods that are at least 1/2" thick. I have sunk them inside the poles before I poured the cement. I would also suggest looking at the 2" square poles. With these you can lower your housing a couple of feet before the storm hits or just very windy days. I have been doing this for years and the PMs have not been bothered by me doing this. The square poles keep the nest opening always facing the same direction. While your working the house over you might consider converting the nest compartments to double size and adding SREH doors. Good luck and keep us posted on your progress, Ed

Evan337 · Wed Apr 20, 2016 9:35 pm

soonerbliss wrote:Hello,
I recently decided to sign on and ask a question. I've been trolling this forum for years and have learned a lot from you guys.
My question relates to modifying my Trio Castle for purposes of replacing the current 1.5" pole with a 2" Schedule 80 pipe. The castle has a lift sleeve that runs down the middle of the house (approx. 30") which is attached to the lift cable. Consequently, the house raises and lowers up and down the pole on this sleeve, which appears to be to a 1.75" piece of chain link post.
if I upgrade to a 2" pipe I must modify the lift sleeve to a larger diameter 30" piece, which doesn't seem to be a big deal, but it will require replacing the sleeve with a larger diameter 30" and removing the current clamps that attach the sleeve to the pole/house.
My main question is has anyone made this modification, and if so, what have you found to be the maximum size/diameter of the opening that runs through the middle of the house. the current opening appears to be about 1.75". However, once I decide to remove the "factory" clamps the opening will be much wider, but I didn't know how wide it would be. I've read where folks upgrade these types of houses (Trio) to a larger pole, but didn't know exactly what done to change out the lift sleeves.

I currently have a plan to correct this problem, but wanted to seek advise from folks that may have already made this modification.
any adivse is welcome.
thank you
matt

Matt,
Did you ever upgrade the pole? I am interested to see what you did and how you did it. I have two Trio Castles that I am working on restoring and am looking at doing pole upgrades as well.

Matt F. · Thu Apr 21, 2016 10:10 am

DornCounty wrote:If you do end up doing this upgrade please take photos of the process and post them on here. I would be interested.

Me as well.
One thing that's good to note - the shaft that runs up through the middle of the big Castles, is quite large, giving you a lot of room to work with.
Here is a screenshot taken from the Nature House Castle assembly instructions, showing a side by side comparison of the Castle with the ceiling piece on, which also has the mounting plate with the smaller diameter hole riveted to it, next to the Castle with no ceiling piece, showing the much larger diameter of the center shaft of the house.

Matt F. · Thu Apr 21, 2016 10:23 am

This screen shot (also taken from the Nature House Castle assembly instructions), more accurately shows the true diameter of the center shaft.
If you take notice of the round mounting bracket, you'll also see the small "D" holes in the house floor that surround the bracket.
These are the holes that the back tabs of the room dividers go into.
So, I would say the diameter of the round mounting bracket (maybe even a tiny bit smaller) is your true, workable shaft diameter, without cutting too large and possibly damaging some of the "D" holes.