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Internal Halyard Aluminum Flagpoles

Step Two

Cam-Action Cleat
Cam cleat internal halyard flagpole.
  • When economy is a primary factor.
  • Pole heights limited: 20' to 40'.
  • Ground set or shoe base installation.
  • Choice of 4 finishes.
  • Wind Rating: 110mph to 250mph.
I want a cam-action cleat. Continue to Step 3.
Winch
Winch internal halyard flagpole.
  • When ease of use is a primary factor.
  • Pole heights unlimited: 20' to 80'.
  • Ground set or shoe base installation.
  • Choice of 4 finishes.
  • Wind Rating: 110mph to 250mph.
I want a winch. Continue to Step 3.

Cam Action Cleat vs. Winch in Depth

All internal halyard flagpoles are basically the same in that they all feature a halyard that is almost entirely concealed inside the pole. The halyard runs from an internal mechanism near the base of the pole that allows you to raise or lower your flag, all the way to the top. There it passes through a pulley to the outside where the top of the flag is attached. So the only portion of halyard that is exposed is above the flag, well out of reach of the bad guys who want to steal your flag.

A weight and a retainer ring are attached to the bottom of the flag to keep the the header (the white end of the flag closest to the pole) taught and close to the pole. The retainer ring circles the pole and is usually a string of large, round plastic beads. Again, the retainer ring is located just at the bottom of the flag, no where near the ground.

And don't forget, all internal halyard flagpoles have a locking door the prevents vandals from gaining access.

The Cam-Action Cleat Mechanism

The beauty of the cam-action cleat mechanism is that it only has one moving part making it simple to operate, affordable to own and less likely to experience a failure.

The operation of the cam is simple. Think of it as an irregular shaped wheel that turns on an axle that is off-center (that's known as "eccentric"). Turn it in one direction, and it moves away from the halyard, releasing the pressure that held it in place. Move it in the other direction and it moves toward the halyard, tightening down on it and locking it in place.

Pulling the halyard down (raising the flag) releases the pressure from the cam. Let go of the halyard and the cam will change direction and tighten down on the halyard, preventing the flag from dropping down. To lower the flag, you lift the cam with your finger, pulling it away from the halyard, and the halyard is then free to move. Take your finger off the cam and it moves back to lock the halyard in place.

It all sounds so nice and simple and efficient, and it is. But there is one drawback—it is only practical with poles up to 40' tall, and even that can be stretching it if you plan to fly two flags.

You see, the larger flags get, the heavier they are. Add a good stiff wind and that's like adding even more weight, which can put a lot of strain on the cam mechanism. And don't forget that someone has to physically pull on that halyard to raise the flag—no help from a winch here. It's not like raising a flag on an external halyard pole where you can grab ahold of the halyard and hoist away. Here you have to pull the halyard through the mechanism, which adds friction.

All in all, the cam-action cleat flagpole is an excellent choice for shorter poles, particularly when you have to watch the budget.

The Winch Mechanism

The winch mechanism costs more than the cam-action cleat, but it's a breeze to operate and is the only practical choice for flagpoles greater than 40' in height.

The winch is basically a spool on which a stainless steel cable halyard can wind. It comes with a removable crank handle that makes it easy to raise and lower your flag. In fact, even the heaviest flags can be easily raised without the aid of a body-builder.

And best of all, there are no switches or levers that have to be switched or pulled to prevent the spool from unwinding and the flag from falling. That's because the winch is completely self-locking. Let go of the crank handle and the halyard stays put—simple as that.

If you're considering a taller flagpole or leaning towards a shorter pole, but want to raise and lower your flag with the least amount of strain, then it's probably wise to invest in a pole with a winch.