No, pole not set yet. Been rebuilding the barn walls and getting vet appointments along with certificates of health to export two horses to the US in about 2 weeks. I had considered digging but I know that hard pan is only about two feet down so two options, dig and risk frost heave or go on top of the ground and I am leaning heavily towards the second option. I could build the platform and mount in less than a day and then I will just have to figure how this baby goes back together.