Plastic Ground Poles

Ground poles are driven into soft ground rather than standing on a weighted base, which makes them the right answer for grass, gravel and dirt — verges, car park overflow, festival fields, sports grounds and construction perimeters where a base would sink, tip or simply be in the way.

What you get

Each ground pole is four parts: the ball top, the C-hook that carries the chain, the pole itself, and the ground stake that goes into the earth. Overall height is 35".

Choosing a diameter

The size refers to the pole diameter, and it is really a choice about duty:

• 2" — light duty. Short-term layouts, low wind, mostly visual guidance.
• 2.5" — medium duty. The general-purpose choice for most outdoor events.
• 3" — heavy duty. Exposed sites, longer deployments, heavier chain runs.

Poles are available in eight colours, and with stripes, reflective stripes or printed warning labels where the run needs to be seen in low light or by drivers.

Chain, not belt

Ground poles carry plastic safety chain on the C-hook rather than a retractable belt. Chain handles wind and weather better than a belt over long outdoor runs, and a damaged section can be replaced by the metre instead of replacing a cassette.

If your ground is hard-standing rather than soft, you want a plastic stanchion with a weighted base instead — a stake will not go into tarmac.