Someone smarter than me....

[jbsoonerfan]

So here's the deal. I have a 20 foot flag pole in my front yard that I fly the American flag on year round. It was put in a PVC tube so I could pull it out if needed. Well, after about 4 years the rope finally broke. I thought, no big deal, I will just pull the pole and put a new rope on. Nope, not happening. I don't know what has happened, but it will not move. I have bought a new rope and flag but I have no idea how to fix it. I have an extension ladder, but I don't trust myself trying to climb up it. I had a guy tell me to put the ladder against the pole and reach as high as I could and tie the ladder to a rung and to the pole and do this till I reached the top. I just don't know about this. Another guy suggested I tie a rope to both sides of the ladder at the top and lean it against the pole and tether them off in opposite directions to keep it from moving. Not sure about this either. I have thought about just calling a tree service to see how much they would charge me to just bring a bucket truck out and put the new rope up. Does anyone have any ideas on how I could get this fixed. I'm ready to see Old Glory flying again.

[deaknh03]

I'd get that pole out of the pvc or cut the pvc down low, then add a coupler to put it back together. Putting a ladder on it wouldn't be in the top 100 options. 

[jbsoonerfan]

1 minute ago, deaknh03 said:

I'd get that pole out of the pvc or cut the pvc down low, then add a coupler to put it back together. Putting a ladder on it wouldn't be in the top 100 options. 

Especially when your as fat as I am!

 

The PVC is buried in concrete level with the ground. 

[deaknh03]

Just now, jbsoonerfan said:

Especially when your as fat as I am!

 

The PVC is buried in concrete level with the ground. 

Cut it and couple it back together

[jbsoonerfan]

Cut the pole?

[deaknh03]

30 minutes ago, jbsoonerfan said:

Cut the pole?

The pvc

[newriverfisherman1953]

I’d try strapping a 2x4 to the pole and using it as a wrench to spin the pole in the pvc.  If you can get it to move maybe you can pull it out. 

[jbsoonerfan]

Good idea! Had not thought of that. It would help with leverage as well. I feel like I'm going to get a hernia every time I try to pull it out. 

[jimmyjoe]

14 minutes ago, newriverfisherman1953 said:

I’d try strapping a 2x4 to the pole and using it as a wrench to spin the pole in the pvc.  If you can get it to move maybe you can pull it out. 

 

   Use a log chain for this. It will "bite" better, and is less likely to slip. Twice around and back down to lock the links. Depending on the diameter of your flagpole, you might want to use something with more authority than a 2x4.

   Then, of course, you'll have to really lean into it ...... but you knew that, right?  ?       jj

[jbsoonerfan]

1 minute ago, jimmyjoe said:

   Then, of course, you'll have to really lean into it ...... but you knew that, right?  ?       jj

Ten years ago I could have done it......now, not so much.  

[jimmyjoe]

6 hours ago, jbsoonerfan said:

Ten years ago I could have done it......now, not so much.  

 

I understand completely. ?  jj

[Jig Man]

You might spray some silicone or wd40 on the pole and let it soak down into the pcs to help loosen it.

[Jigfishn10]

Sounds like some debris slipped in between the pole and pvc in which case you need to twist and push up at the same time as new river and jimmyjoe mentions.

 

The only other thing I can think of is the pole expanded during the hot season and fused itself to the pvc. You can try WD as jig man mention or possibly 3 in 1 oil and let it penetrate in.

 

I’m guessing it’s debris and you’ll more than likely won’t like my solution.

[Tennessee Boy]

I would first try to use my fence post puller to pull it up.  Most people don’t have one.  You can buy one or just find a farmer and ask if you can borrow his.   The one I have is similar to this one that cost $45.  They are made to pull T-post but mine has a chain that you can wrap around other post. 

 

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/t-fence-post-puller?cm_vc=-1000

[VolFan]

Tennessee Boy beat me to it. You can do similar things with a come-along and a chain or good rope, depending on how big your pole is.

[TnRiver46]

Don’t lean a ladder against it! My neighbor had a similar setup about 16 feet and was trying to figure out how to change the brass screw top . I think he finally found a tall step ladder but an extension ladder would just spin around the pole 

[GaryH]

I think you already mentioned the best advice for this. Just talk to a local tree service and have them at there convenience stop over with there bucket and do it. Most will do it on there own time for a few extra bucks. But as mentioned before don’t lean a ladder against it !!

 

[OldManLure]

I’d drill a 1/2” hole through flagpole about 10-12” up from top of pvc and slip a piece of all-thread through so that it extends 6-8” on either side.  You can use the all thread as handles to spin/loosen pole.  Then using a lever and fulcrum, I’d use all thread for purchase to lift flagpole.  For lever, I’d consider 2-2x4s nailed to a spacer slightly larger than pole diameter.  You could then get equal force on both ends of all thread.  Or, you could use 2 small bottle jacks under all thread to lift it.

[Scott F]

YouTube has a bunch of videos on pulling fence posts. I’ll bet you find something there you can use to get it done.

[Jigfishn10]

OldManLure, we think alike

[Tennessee Boy]

I had an extra cup of caffeine and thought a little more about this.   I like the idea of trying to turn the pipe.  I’d use a pipe wrench.  If it won’t budge then put a pipe over the wrench to make the handle longer to get more leverage.  

[jbsoonerfan]

Thanks guys! Lots of good suggestions. I'm off all week so my goal is to get the flag flying.

[Tennessee Boy]

4 hours ago, jbsoonerfan said:

Thanks guys! Lots of good suggestions. I'm off all week so my goal is to get the flag flying.

Be sure to give us an update.

[jbsoonerfan]

1 hour ago, Tennessee Boy said:

Be sure to give us an update.

Will do. I have an idea. I'm going to take a 2x4 and cut two 3' pieces. Then I am going to get some lag bolts about 8" or so. Measure the pole and drill holes in the 2x4's just a bit bigger than the pole. Put a board on each side and tighten the nuts down as tight as I can get them. Plan on putting these 6" or so off the ground. Hopefully this will allow me to twist the pole and break it loose. Then I plan to take 2 floor jacks and place them on each side of the pole on the boards and see if I can jack it out that way.

[jbsoonerfan]

She's flying high again. Went with a different strategy. I had a buddy come over and I was telling him my plan. We got out there to messing with it and were able to get it to twist in the PVC. Couldn't get it to come out though. He does siding for a living so his truck has a ladder rack on it. He parked his truck right next to the pole and we took a long rope and wrapped it around the pole under the cleat. We took the two ends and wrapped them over the ladder rack and pulled down. That was it, busted loose and came right out. All is well in the world.