Eucalyptus Pole Sizes and Uses: Buyer Guide

Length

Poles are usually sold from 10 ft to 30 ft. The right length depends on the job.

Use	What sets the length
Slab centering and props	Clear height from floor to the underside of the slab, plus the allowance your contractor uses for wedges or base plates
Scaffolding	The height of the wall you need to reach, so the longest poles
Pandals and sheds	The roof height you want, plus the part set into the ground
Fencing, shade nets, crop support	Fence or net height plus the part set into the ground, so usually the shortest poles

If your building has floors of different heights, give us the length and count for each floor so nothing is cut to waste on site.

Thickness

Thickness is measured at the bottom end of the pole. Thicker poles carry more load, so props under a wet slab need thicker poles than a fence or a shade net. Your engineer or centering contractor will tell you the size to use.

Eucalyptus poles taper towards the top, so the top end is always thinner than the bottom. For props, check that the thin end is still sound and not split, because that is the end that meets the shuttering.

Count

For slab centering, the count depends on the slab area and the gap between props. Use our centering poles calculator for a first estimate, then confirm with your contractor.

As a quick example, a 30 x 20 ft slab with props every 3 ft needs 11 rows by 8 rows, which is 88 props. Add 5 to 10% for breakage and edges, and props under beams on top of that.

For scaffolding, fencing and pandals, count the uprights in your plan, then add a few spares for cross pieces and replacements.

Before you buy

Check that poles are straight and free of deep cracks.
Ask for photos of your lot before it is loaded.
Plan where the lorry will unload at your site, with a clear path and space to stack.

Looking after poles on site

Stack poles flat on wooden or concrete bearers, off the soil, so they do not soak up water.
Cover the stack if it will sit through rain.
After each slab, knock off set concrete and check every pole for new cracks before it goes back into use.

Well-kept poles last through more slabs, which brings down your cost per slab.

Pole size questions

Which pole length is used for slab centering?

It depends on the height from floor to slab. Your centering contractor sets the length for each floor.

How do I count poles for a slab?

Divide the slab length and width by the gap between props, add one row each way, then add 5 to 10% extra. Our calculator does this for you.

Can I order mixed lengths?

Yes. Choose mixed lengths in the quote form and tell us the count for each length.

Eucalyptus pole sizes and uses: a buyer guide