Street Sign Direct Burial Installation Instructions: Midatlantic Mailbox

 

*These instructions apply to systems provided by Midatlantic Mailbox, however they can be used to reference other manufacturers or models. The Premiere Decorative Street Sign Systems from Midatlantic Mailbox include the set screws for each system component. If you are using a different manufacturer or sign provider, keep in mind the hardware and materials received in our packaged systems may differ from the items included in your package. Most tools required will be the same. 

 

Helpful Tips: 

• Many manufactures recommend installing 18” in the ground, we typically install 24-30” if the grade allows to give the sign system more stability. To determine your hold depth, it's important to reference the desired/required total height of the sign system to ensure you're not digging either too shallow, or too deep. 
• The diameter of the hole should be approximately 6"- 8” wide to allow the pole to be inserted into your hole along with the concrete and dirt.
• Federal guidelines require your sign to be a minimum of 84” from the bottom of the sign to the road surface. Local jurisdictions may require additional heights.
• Federal Highway requires the  7' back from the road surface to ensure pedestrian safety
• Always call your local Ms. Utility to mark underground utility lines prior to digging. 

 

Required Materials for Direct Burial Installation:

• 12' - 14' Pole                                                                               
• Finial Topper with (2) Set Screws
• Base with (3) or (4) Set Screws (Varies by Model) 
• Sign Brackets & Sign Blades 
• Minimum 5/8" Bolt for Bracket Installation 
• Digging Iron 
• Tamper Bar
• Allen Key/Allen Wrench
• 60lb Bag of DRY Concrete Powder (Recommend High Strength SAKRETE Brand)  

 

Assembly Instructions: *Assemble the street sign system PRIOR to installing in the ground.

 

1. Measure 24"-30" starting from the bottom of the pole. Mark this measurement. This will be the section of the pole that will be installed into the ground. This measurement varies between 24"-30" depending on your desired/required height. 

 

2. On the top of the pole, install the finial topper using the (2) set screws provided and an Allen Wrench. Mark the holes for the sign bracket allowing your desired distance between the top of the finial to the placement of the sign bracket. 

 

3. Before drilling the holes for your sign bracket, measure to ensure you have a minimum of 84" between the bottom of the sign bracket and the mark you made on Step One. This mark determines your minimum-required sign placement enforced by Federal Guidelines. (Federal guidelines require your sign to be a minimum of 84” from the bottom of the sign to the road surface. Local jurisdictions may require additional heights.) If installing a dual street sign, rotate the pole and mark the location of the holes for the second sign. Once you double checked the measurement, drill the holes for your sign bracket. 

 

4. Attach your sign bracket to the pole using a minimum of 5/8" bolts. For Helicopter Mounted Street Signs, first attach the BOTTOM sign bracket, then attach the TOP sign bracket. Tighten sign blades & brackets using set screws provided.

 

5. To attach the base, gently loosen the screws at the top of the base so you are able to guide the post through. 

 

6. Gently slide your base up the bottom of the pole. Be careful not to scratch the post with the set screws. You will need to raise this base several feet above the 24"-30" line marked in Step one to ensure space for you to pack concrete around the base. Temporarily set the base towards the top of the pole with (1) of the set screws, as this base will be lowered to the ground once the unit is installed into your hole. 

 

7. Dig your hole for the pole. 24"-30" deep and about 6"-8" in diameter. 

 

8. Place your assembled sign system into the hole you made. 

  

9. Once level, fill the hole with dry concrete powder up to 12" or half-way. Tamp the dry concrete around the post and ensure post is level. ***Do not follow instructions on concrete. Completely wet concrete will cause the post to slowly lean as it dries to due the weight of mailbox system. The dry concrete powder will absorb moisture from the soil to cure over 48-72 hours. If you have dry soil, add a small amount of water to the dry concrete powder but not enough saturate. Do not mix. Then, add water to the soil layer in the next step to increase the moisture for absorption. Keep the soil damp, not saturated. 

 

10. Fill in the remaining hole with layers of dirt, tamping and packing as you go. Check frequently that your post is level. Pack down dirt tightly. 

 

11. Loosen the set screws from the base in Step Six. Lower the base to the desired placement against the ground. Set the base with all set screws provided and an Allen Key. Level unit once more and pack down dirt again if needed. Let the unit cure, 48-72 hours.

  

 

If touch-ups are needed once you have completed the installation, we recommend Rustolem Textured Black Spray Paint after the unit has set.

 

 

 

Installation complete! Enjoy your new street sign!   

 

 

 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

 

Residential Mailbox Direct Burial Installation Instructions

 

USPS Guidelines require the mailbox door to be 6-8 inches back from the curb. If there is no curb, place the mailbox 6-8 inches back from the road. The height of the mailbox will determine the depth of your hole. Measure the distance between the road surface and the bottom of the mailbox to ensure the box sits 41-45 inches above road surface. Generally, holes are 16-18 inches deep. The posts accommodate the 16-18 inch additional length required for direct burial. Please keep in mind, if mailboxes are not installed according to USPS guidelines the postal service may deny deliveries.

 

 

Helpful Tips:  

• Your mailbox may be regulated by neighborhood homeowners associations, subdivision standards and rules, and/or community deed restrictions. Your mailbox may also be subject to local governmental restrictions, state laws and federal highway regulations. Check with local postal guidelines prior to installation. Please keep in mind, if mailboxes are not installed according to USPS guidelines the postal service may deny deliveries.
• The diameter of the hole should be approximately 8” - 10" wide to allow the post to be inserted into your hole along with the concrete and dirt.
• Always call your local Ms. Utility to mark underground utility lines prior to digging.  
• Do not follow instructions on concrete. Wet concrete will cause the post to slowly lean as it dries to due the weight of the mailbox system. The dry concrete powder will absorb moisture from the soil to cure over 48-72 hours. If you are in a dry climate, add a small amount of water to the dry powder but not enough to saturate. Then, add water to the soil layers to increase the moisture for absorption. Keep the soil damp, not saturated. Heavily-concreted mailbox installations can be dangerous for drivers. They also make removal very difficult. In the event your concrete ball is too large to remove, you can not re-use the hole. You will need to cut the old post at the ground level and leave the remaining post part in the ground. Then, dig a separate hole for the new mailbox location.

     

Required Materials for Direct Burial Installation:

• Post-Hole Digger or Shovel                                                                             
• Screwdriver
• Digging Iron 
• Tamper Bar or Leveling Tool
• Allen Key/Allen Wrench
• 60lb Bag of DRY Concrete Powder (Recommend High Strength SAKRETE Brand)  

 

*NOTE: MAILBOX ASSEMBLY MAY DIFFER DEPENDING ON MANUFACTURER AND MODEL. THESE INSTRUCTIONS ARE FOR STANDARD IN-GROUND POST INSTALLATIONS.

 

 

 Direct Burial Instructions:

 

1. Fully assemble mailbox system. Set system aside and prepare for digging. Please make sure to double check measurements are correct for the hole placement according to the stated USPS guidelines. The door of the mailbox needs to be 6-8 inches away from the curb or road surface. Mark the location of your hole and begin to dig. When finished, your hole should be about 16-18 inches deep, and 8-10 inches wide. This hole will accommodate the bottom of the post, the dry concrete powder, and dirt for tamping. You will only use half of the bag of DRY concrete. Place mailbox and post into hole and hold steady as best as possible. A second person is helpful for this.  

 

2. Level the mailbox system. Once level, pour about a 1/4 bag of the dry concrete powder into the hole. Tamp the dry concrete around the post and ensure post is level. Add soil on top of the concrete layer and tamp down again. Repeat process with another layer of 1/4 bag of dry concrete. Fill the remaining three inches of the hole with dirt around post until it is secure in the ground.

 

*Do not follow instructions on concrete. Wet concrete will cause the post to slowly lean as it dries to due the weight of the mailbox system. The dry concrete powder will absorb moisture from the soil to cure over 48-72 hours. If you are in a dry climate, add a small amount of water to the dry powder but not enough to saturate. Then, add water to the soil layers to increase the moisture for absorption. Keep the soil damp, not saturated. Heavily-concreted mailbox installations can be dangerous for drivers. They also make removal very difficult. In the event your concrete ball is too large to remove, you can not re-use the hole. You will need to cut the old post at the ground level and leave the remaining post part in the ground. Then, dig a separate hole for the new mailbox location.  

 

3. Tamp the top layer of dirt so the ground is as flat as possible against post. MAILBOX WILL BE FRAGILE. Do not shake, move, or use strong force when handling the mailbox for 48 hours. Concrete will be fully cured in 72 hours. It might be helpful to provide a note notifying your postal carrier to use gentle force during the curing process. ***Moving, shaking, etc. the mailbox or post system will widen the hole while drying, creating a concrete-casted hole with gaping around the post. If the hole is not secured tightly around the post while curing, the mailbox will wobble.

 

 

Installation Complete! Enjoy your new mailbox!   

 

 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

 

 

Cluster Box (CBU)- 1570 F Series Installation Diagram

 

CBU Installation Heights for 1570- F Series Cluster Boxes

Type I- 8 Tenant Doors

Type II- 12 Tenant Doors

Type III- 16 Tenant Doors

Type IV- 13 Tenant Doors

 

 

                          

 

 

 

CBU Site and Pad Preparation

 

 

                                             

                                           

CBU Pedestal Installation

 

     1. Open Master Loading Doors

     2. Remove Left and Right Side 91079 Floating Shelves, exposing mounting holes.

     3. Place unit on Pedestal

     4. From underneath unit, insert Four (4) 86101 3/8-16x1.25" Carriage Bolts upward.

     5. From inside parcel compartments, add four (4) 86097 3/8" x .688 OD Lock Washer and tighten four (4) 86089B 3/8"-16 hex

         nuts. Torque to 2. foot-pounds.

     6. Replace Left and Right Side 91079 Floating Shelves.

 

                                         

 

 

 

MidAtlantic Mailbox, Inc | 4507 Metropolitan Court , Suite D | Frederick, MD 21704

Toll Free 800-806-7997 | Local 301-620-7585 or 301-620-7867