I never needed to use one when we first brought the Rotary line but our existing pole snapped after 25 faithful years service. What a joy it was installing the Spike, a little bit of care with keeping it upright and a few good blows with a sledgehammer on a piece of timber to protect the rim and down she went. Now I don't have to swing round the pole when cutting the lawn,I just go straight over it ( putting the supplied cover on first )