Customer Reviews

Droll Yankees SEP 68-Inch Shepherds Envy Pole with Hanging Arm

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Although my backyard is mostly woods, believe it or not I did not have any suitable branches to hand my bird feeders! I was debating on a yard pole versus a deck system. My husband reminded me that birds can be quite messy and we should perhaps place a yard pole near the woods, where we can easily see it from our window and patio door. Good idea - as much as I like the birds, the mess belongs in the yard (droppings, shells, feathers, etc). I went to literally 5 garden stores and 3 hardware stores and couldn't find anything suitable. Most were too flimsy, too short, did not anchor well into the ground, etc. I researched this pole and it looked like a good one, although no reviews were available. I took a chance.

This pole is pefect! THick, well made. I have a Droll Yankees Flipper Droll Yankees YF Flipper Bird Feeder and Whipper Droll Yankees YCPW180 Whipper Bird Feeder, Dark Blue. Both are very large, heavy feeders that hold 5 pounds of seed apiece. They are 21 inches long and 4 1/2 inches in diameter, so no flimsy pole was going to do the job! This pole has a corkscrew spike that anchors it into the ground. There are four tripod-like legs that lie flat on the ground for further stability. I purchased an add on double arm mount Droll Yankees, Inc Double Arm Mount and Hanger - Adds 16 Inch Arm to DCH, so I could put two large feeders on the pole. The locking mechanism on the arm really keeps the bird feeder well secured hanging on the pole. The arm is angles outward, giving the larger feeders distance from the pole while hanging. I also ordered a Droll Yankees squirrel dome which works well with this pole Droll Yankees SQPM Pole Mount Squirrel Guard. That is also very thick and well made. Secures well on the pole. No squirrels have yet to get passed it. I also ordered a triple arm hanger Droll Yankees, Inc Triple Hook Assembly, which allows me to hang three other smaller items onto the pole. I have a small peanut feeder, a hummingbird feeder and a suit holder. All is well made and encompases a complete bird feeding station! I liked this pole so much I ordered another one. If you are looking for a pole for your bird feeders, look no further - just order it!

I will try to take a photo and submit it so you can see.

I've had a Yankee Flipper feeder for years, which is very heavy when full. I needed a new pole for it so I purchased this one. When I first put it together, it seemed sturdy. But the squirrels in my yard are brutal... when they jump on the feeder it makes the pole arm swing around, which then knocks the legs off (my pole has only 3 legs, not 4). I will have to abandon this pole for a custom made real heavy duty pole that the squirrels can't destroy. I might put a smaller feeder on this pole later, but in my yard it's not suitable for the big Yankee Flipper.

I placed this pole - with its extra arm Droll Yankees Inc Double Arm Mount And Hanger Black - Dam - outside my den window, and it is gorgeous!

First, I screwed the nice big auger into the ground (really not that hard, but it was nice to have a friend help check that it was straight), then added the supporting legs. I put a flat stone under one leg to be sure the tripod remained stable on my soft, slightly graded soil; the pole has stood straight in all weathers so far.

Then I put up the single arm...but quickly wanted to add a second arm! Now I have two 24" Droll Yankee feeders hanging on opposite sides, and the birdwatching is great!

This pole is taller than the ones that come with most feeders, and the curve at the top is both strong and graceful. At the end of the curved arm is a locking notch to hold the feeder during storms or squirrel assaults. The pole is a standard size that will accept other components of the DY Ultimate Pole Systems (Yard or Deck).

Locally, you can usually find one-piece pole in solid iron, but it's hard to find a pole of this quality and rock-solid installation online. This is the one! Droll Yankees makes great products, and stands behind them (I'm not affiliated, just an average customer, very pleased with their outstanding customer service when I've needed it).

The Droll Yankees Shepherds Envy Pole is easy to assemble. For the price, it is quite sturdy. The best feature is that the pole mounting system is customizable. I use the hanging arm for a suet feeder and bought the mounting arm for a nyjer feeder. The options are endless. I am so happy with this product that I have just purchased a second one.

This is a fairly good pole with some limitations. The main upright consists of three sections that are 1" in diameter. These three sections are installed into an auger which screws into the ground with little effort. The auger has connections for three legs which lie flat on the ground in an attempt to keep the entire structure level. A 16" curved arm is provided that slips into the top of the pole. This arm has a locking feature at the end where a feeder can be hung. This locking device can ensure that a feeder hung on the arm will be secure. So, the installation is quite simple - screw in the auger, attach the leveling sections, place the three main sections into the auger and top it off with the hanging arm.

The limitations that I mentioned are primarily the fit of the pole sections and the fit of the hanging arm. None of the connections are snug enough to keep the pole sections fully erect or keep the hanging arm from rocking. I purchased the optional hanging arm and by hanging a feeder on both the provided and the optional arms it was possible to achieve an acceptable balance. One of the other reviewers mentioned that she received four leveling sections rather than the current three. Four would have made quite a dramatic improvement in the stability of the structure but only DY knows why they cutback to the lesser effective three. My guess is so they could save a few pennies. When the weather warms up I will make the connections permanent so as to obtain a more professional appearance.

I bought this DY pole for my front yard because the DY bird feeders that I purchased are of excellent quality and I expected the same from the pole, but it was not to be. In my back yard I installed a pole from a different manufacturer that also has an auger base and came equipped with a squirel stopper which has worked flawlessly. It is a model of sturdiness. The pole has two cross arms from which I have hung 8 feeders. This pole was slightly more expensive than the basic DY but when you include all the DY accessories that are required to stop the squirrels and hang additional feeders then the cost of the DY far exceeds the backyard pole. I do not regret buying the DY pole because it is a fairly good pole and when I do the alterations it will be sturdy. However, I would not buy another one.

The squirrels are very touch in my backyard. I called Droll Yankee for some additional help and they suggested my next step to success.
Great to work with and provide an excellent product.