Behlen Country Patience Pole Manual

F-20957 TECHNICAL INFORMATION 70169 11-30-12
Patience Pole
76178562
CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER
PO Box 569
Columbus, NE
68602-0569
Ph: 800-447-2751
Fax: [phone]
www.behlencountry.com
THANK YOU FOR PURCHASING THIS PRODUCT
Congratulations on your purchase. Behlen Country has been in the business of providing
quality equipment to landowners for more than 75 years. Our equipment will provide many
years of service when maintained by the operator and used in accordance with the capabilities
of the product. For questions about this product, or for parts inquiries, please contact our
Customer Service Center listed below.
How to set your Patience Pole
Step One: You will set the pole approximately
4’ into the ground. Dig at least a 20” diameter
hole 4’- 4”. deep. Bell shape the bottom of the
hole as much as possible.
Step Two: Place 4” - 6” of all-purpose gravel
or crushed stone in the hole to assist with
future water drainage and to help position the
pole.
Step Three: Position the pole in the center of
the hole, checking to make sure it is level and
plumb. You may need to brace the pole to
hold it in position. You can do this by using 3’ -
4’ long 2x4s and C-clamping them to the pole
and staking the other end to the ground.
Step Four: Add concrete to the hole. For
a 20” hole you need at least 1/3 of a yard
of concrete. Fast cure concrete is not
recommended because it is not as strong.
Do not try to pour the whole concrete batch
at once. Make the first batch stiff (thick) and
shovel small amounts of concrete equally
around the pole. If you shovel too much
concrete to one side at once, especially in the
beginning of the pour, it will push the pole to
one side and you will lose center, be patient
and take your time here. Pour enough in the
first batch to bring concrete about a foot up
on the pole. Now take a rod, something like a
piece of rebar, and gently ‘rod’ the concrete,
i.e. push rod straight down through concrete
to bottom of hole - being careful not to do so in
a manner that causes the pole to lose center.
Do this no more than ten to fifteen times. This
ensures that no air is trapped in the mix. If you
rod more than that the mix begins to come
apart. Check pole for plumb all around, not just
on one side, with a level or inclinometer.
Next, mix concrete batches with more water
and gently shovel into the hole in small
amounts, being careful not to pour too much at
a time or you will disturb the pole’s plumb.
The reason the second batch of concrete
is made with more water is because soupy
concrete cures to have more strength. Repeat
rod procedure, extending only slightly to level
of first pour, and check for plumb.
Finish pour to top and rod last batch; sculpt the
top so that concrete slopes away from pole.
If you want, bring concrete to above ground
level or leave below ground level so as to add
a grass plug later.
Let the concrete cure for 24 hours before
removing the bracing. Let the concrete cure
for 3 to 4 days more before you begin to use
the Patience Pole.

F-20958 11-30-12