Lonestar 2" square pole and rack spinning...how to stop

[TammyBears]

Have a Lonestar gourd rack and pole, 2" square. Windy as hek in Oklahoma this evening so we lowered it about 4 feet. When it's lowered it "spins" or twists a good 6-8" back and forth...obviously not all the way around, but quite a bit still. Can I do something to keep this from happening?

[Louise Chambers]

Tammy, 6-8 inches should not be an issue for the martins, but understandable that you want to minimize stress on gourds, birds, system, and you!

I wonder if some bungee cords could be useful in tying rack up a bit? but what to tie them to?

[John Barrow]

Tammy,

Sounds a lot more windy there, then here. Fixing the problem is easy. Get some stick-on felt or teflon pads (like you would put at the bottom of a chair legs)-probably the thinnest you can find and attach them in the hub at the bottom on diagonal sides of the hub, on the sides where the cable does not run. I doubt the movement you describe will impair the birds from finding the right cavity. In my opinion moving systems are more natural then absolutely fixed systems and possibly offer more protection from owls and other predators.

[klcretired]

Hi Tammy
Like John & Louise said , it's true. I have had a LS Gourd Rack for a Decade the PM's , it's never bothered them at all , I never did anything to the rack I just let nature take it's course, That is a Excellent Rack to have.
Good Luck this year

[Craig Dyer]

I have a Lonestar Add-a-Rack on a 2" square pole under a Goliad. I am very satisfied with the product, it is well built. However, I had the opposite problem. I found that often the Add-a-Rack was binding on the 2" square pole (preventing easy raising & lowering). I used washers in between the two halves of the rack coupling to open it up slightly. There is now more movement/twist on windy days, but the system easily raises & lowers without binding against the pole. It was a simple fix others may find useful.

[TammyBears]

Thanks everyone. I knew I could count on you all