Tamarack Ground Mount Pole Cap with U-Bolts

Tamarack Ground Mount Pole Cap with U-Bolts Joins Each Post to Its Pipe Beam for a Level, Square Frame

The Tamarack Ground Mount Pole Cap with U-Bolts is the fitting that ties each vertical post to a horizontal pipe beam in the Tamarack Ground Mount System. The top of the post fits into the bottom of the cap and is locked in place with set screws, while the cap's saddle and U-bolts clamp the horizontal pipe that the solar rails attach to. Tamarack makes it in two sizes, one for 2-inch posts and one for 3-inch posts, and each size ships as a pack of two caps.

Because the posts hang from the pipe beams before any concrete is poured, the frame can be squared and leveled while the footings are still open. The U-bolts are included, and the steel pipe is sourced locally, which Tamarack notes keeps the structure simple and low in cost.

Tamarack Ground Mount Pole Cap with U-Bolts Features

Two Post Sizes So It Matches Your Pipe

Choose the 2-inch version (SKU 90682) for 2-inch posts or the 3-inch version (SKU 91238) for 3-inch posts. Pick the cap that matches the post pipe in your design.

Included U-Bolts For A Clamped Pipe Connection

Each cap uses U-bolts to clamp the horizontal pipe into its saddle. The U-bolts come with the caps, so there is no separate hardware to source for this connection. Tamarack lists 144 in-lbs (12 ft-lbs) of torque for these U-bolts on the pole cap.

Set Screws Hold The Post Without Welding Or Drilling

Each post is pushed fully into the bottom of the cap, and set screws lock it in place. The Tamarack Ground Mount System needs no welding or drilling, and two wrench sizes fit all of its fasteners. Tamarack lists 204 in-lbs (17 ft-lbs) for the pole cap set screws.

Adjustable Before The Concrete Sets

Tamarack's installation manual has you snug the U-bolts only enough to hold each cap on the beam, so the caps can still slide to match the pier spacing. The posts are then hung from the caps, centered in their holes and locked with the set screws before the concrete is poured. This order of work makes it easier to end up with a level, aligned pipe frame.

A Place To Splice Long Pipe Runs

Schedule 40 pipe comes in lengths up to 21 feet, so wide arrays often need two pipe sections joined together. Tamarack's manual allows a horizontal pipe splice in the center of a pole cap, as long as there is less than 1/2 inch between the pipe ends. A pipe coupling can be used instead in the locations the manual allows.

Covered By Tamarack's Ground Mount Warranty

Tamarack lists a 25-year limited warranty for its Ground Mount products, counted from the date of shipment.

Real-World Applications For The Tamarack Ground Mount Pole Cap

Building A Ground Mount From Individual Parts

When the Tamarack Ground Mount System is ordered as individual parts, every vertical post needs its own pole cap.

Adding Posts Beyond A Ground Mount Kit

Tamarack's Ground Mount Kit A includes four pole caps and Kit B includes two. Kit C and the Kit X extra rail include none, so a design that uses more posts than its kits cover needs these caps ordered separately. You can compare the kit options on our Tamarack Ground Mount Solar Racking Kit page.

Ground Mounts On Uneven Or Sloped Sites

Tamarack describes the system as simple to adjust for alignment, even on an irregular surface. Its manual explains how to shorten the rear posts when the ground slopes to the south, and its online Ground Mount Configurator works out the post lengths for your tilt angle.

How The Ground Mount Pole Cap Compares To Other Tamarack Pipe Fittings

Each fitting in the Tamarack Ground Mount System has its own job. The pole cap joins a vertical post to a horizontal beam. The Tamarack Ground Mount Pipe Mount with U-Bolt attaches the 3.1 rails to the horizontal pipe. The Tamarack Ground Mount Swivel T-Fitting is used for cross bracing, and the Tamarack Galvanized Steel Pipe Coupling joins two pipe sections end to end.

This cap is also different from the Tamarack PGRM 4-Inch Pole Cap with U-Bolts, which is a part of the PGRM portrait top-of-pole mount and fits 4-inch Schedule 40 pipe. For a multi-post ground mount built from 2-inch or 3-inch pipe, this ground mount pole cap is the one to order.

Buyer Guidance For Choosing The Right Pole Cap

Match the cap to your post size, and plan on one cap per vertical post. Each order is a pack of two, so divide your post count by two and round up.

This May Be A Good Fit If

• You are building a Tamarack Ground Mount System with 2-inch or 3-inch steel pipe posts.
• Your design calls for more pole caps than your ground mount kits include.
• You are buying the steel pipe locally and ordering the Tamarack fittings as separate parts.
• You want a post-to-beam connection that can still be adjusted before the concrete is poured.
• You value a 25-year limited warranty on your ground mount hardware.

Post spacing, post length, footing depth and foundation type depend on your modules, tilt angle and site loads. Tamarack's online Ground Mount Configurator produces a PDF bill of materials, and PE-stamped engineering letters are available for all 50 states and Washington DC.

Common Questions About The Tamarack Ground Mount Pole Cap

What Does The Ground Mount Pole Cap Connect?

It connects a vertical pipe post to a horizontal pipe beam in the Tamarack Ground Mount System. The U-bolts clamp the horizontal pipe, and the set screws hold the cap on the post.

How Many Pole Caps Come In Each Order?

Both sizes ship as a pack of two. SKU 90682 is two caps for 2-inch posts, and SKU 91238 is two caps for 3-inch posts.

Is The Steel Pipe Included?

No. The posts and beams use 2-inch or 3-inch Schedule 40 or Schedule 80 galvanized steel pipe, which is purchased separately.

How Many Pole Caps Do I Need?

Tamarack calls for one pole cap on each vertical post. An array with six posts needs six caps, which is three packs.

What's Included With The Tamarack Ground Mount Pole Cap

• 2 x Tamarack Ground Mount Pole Caps With U-Bolts for 2-Inch Posts (SKU 90682)
• 2 x Tamarack Ground Mount Pole Caps With U-Bolts for 3-Inch Posts (SKU 91238)

Each order contains two caps in the size you select. Pipe, concrete and the other ground mount parts are sold separately.

Build A Level, Well-Supported Ground Mount With Tamarack

Pole caps are a small part of a ground-mounted array, but they set the position of the beams that carry the rails. The Tamarack Ground Mount Pole Cap with U-Bolts gives each post a clamped connection to its beam, with room to adjust before the concrete sets.

Confirm your post size and post count, choose the matching pack, and contact the Outbound Power team if you would like help planning your Tamarack ground mount.

Tamarack Ground Mount Pole Cap Specifications

Tamarack Ground Mount Pole Cap with U-Bolts Manual