Parts of a Flagpole

Parts of a Flagpole

All Star Flags walks you through the terminology of the parts of your flagpole.  Learn the proper way to reference flagpole parts including the truck, ornament, halyard, cleat and more. Talk like an expert and better understand your flagpole components by watching our Parts of a Flagpole video.

Flagpole Parts & Terminology

Butt Diameter:  The diameter at the base of the flagpole.  One of the contributing factors to a flagpole's strength and wind rating.

Cleat:  The cleat(s) are attached to the flagpole, normally around 5' above grade, and the halyard is wrapped around the cleat to secure it and keep the flag from moving up or down.

Counterbalanced Flagpole:  This flagpole is manufactured with weights built in a box near the base of the flagpole and a hinged type mounting system a few feet up the pole.  This attachments allows the pole to be lowered for maintenance operations.

Single/Double Revolving Truck:  The truck is an assembly that mounts to the top of the flagpole and has a pulley as well a threaded opening that receives the ornament.  The revolving trucks includes bearings that allow it to turn with the wind.  A single revolving truck has one pulley and a double revolving truck has two pulleys.

External Halyard:  This refers to the rope system used to raise and lower the flag being on the outside of the flagpole.

Finial/Ornament:  The finial and/or ornament references the standard gold ball that sits atop most flagpoles.  This would also apply to eagles, crosses or other top fittings.

Finish:  The finish is the surface appearance or texture of the flagpole.  This may also include the color:  satin, bronze, black, powder coated, etc...

Flash Collar:  The flash collar fits over the ground sleeve and the bottom of the pole to protect it and also provides a decorative and finished look to the base of the flagpole.  The gap between the pole and the collar should be sealed with caulk to ensure that water runs away from the base of the pole and the flagpole foundation.

Gaff:  The gaff is an extension off of a nautical pole that typically comes off the front of the pole and goes up at an angle.

Ground Sleeve:  The ground sleeve (foundation sleeve) is constructed of galvanized corrugated steel with a steel base plate on larger poles and PVC for smaller poles.  The sleeve is the part that goes down into the ground and receives the pole.  You concrete around the outside of the sleeve and fill the gap between the pole and the sleeve with dry, packed play sand.

Internal Halyard Flagpole:  The rope or cable system that manages the flag is concealed inside the flagpole.  The halyard is accessed through a hinged door and the halyard is secured either with a winch (for cable) or a cam cleat (for rope).

Nautical Flagpole:  A nautical flagpole generally references a flagpole with a yardarm (and/or a gaff) that is installed around water.

Outrigger:  An external halyard flagpole that is mounted to the side of a building and the pole extends out at an angle.

Shoe Base Foundation:  Is a method of installing a flagpole when a set of anchor bolts are secured into a concrete pad.  The flagpole base has a shoe base plate welded on that then slides down over the bolts and is secured with a series of washers and nuts.

Snap Hooks:  Snap hooks are attached to the halyard and allow for clipping in the grommets of the flag to secure it to the halyard.

Stationary Truck:  The truck is an assembly that mounts to the top of the flagpole and has a pulley as well a threaded opening that receives the ornament.  The stationary trucks do no rotate with the flag but stay in a fixed position.

Vertical Wall Mounted Flagpole:  An external halyard flagpole that is mounted to the side of a building with a vertical orientation.  Special brackets are used for securing the poles to the buildings.

Wall Thickness:  The refers to the thickness of the aluminum tubing that is used in manufacturing the flagpole.  The wall thickness also contributes to the overall strength and wind rating of the flagpole.

Winch:  The winch is a mechanism with gears used to raise and lower the flag on internal halyard flagpoles that use cable halyard.

Yardarm:  A tapered pole that is mounted horizontally on a vertical flagpole that creates a look like a lower case t or a cross.  It is most commonly used in nautical applications/environments but can be used anywhere.

By Chad Creech, All Star Flags