Property Gate

1bush2hog · Nov 2, 2005

I am considering building the gate as per design in the attachment. I would appreciate any and all input regarding the design and installation due to the fact I have little to no experience with metal fabrication.

The material initially planned is schedule 40 black iron pipe, with posts to be filled and anchored with concrete.

Thanks in advance for your help and comments.

have_blue · Nov 2, 2005

That's one heavy gate!

I believe I would look at 2" sch 40 or 3" tubing in place of the 6" stuff.

1bush2hog · Nov 2, 2005

Yes, this is a heavy gate. I want something to keep people from driving into my property and also to keep them from destroying my gate. The gate will be in an isolated area, where I have had previous problems with trespassers. I believe it will take more than a red necks pick up to damage this gate - that is the intent anyway.

It will also be very difficult, even for a 4 wheeler, to go around the gate due to slope the road is on and surrounding trees.

EddieWalker · Nov 2, 2005

It's bigger than anything I've ever tackled, but I'm sure you have your reasons.

It reminds me of a park gate.

How will you hing it? Will you sleeve one pipe over the other? If so, you'll want to drill and tap some zirk fittings to grease it.

How will you latch it? Is it supposed to remain off the top of that post, or will it rest on it. I like the idea of having it rest on something. Relieves all the stress on your hinges.

Since it's such a heavy duty gate, you either just like oversized pipe, or you are seriously concerned about keeping people out. If you're concerned about security, than the latch and lock should be impossible to get to. Tresspassers have all sorts of clever ways to get into a place when they want. From crowbars to cutting torches to shooting off the lock.

I'd consider a heavy metal sleeve over the lock so you can only get to it from the bottom. Park gates are this way and allot of storage containers do this also.

If it was me, I'd just buy a 12 foot farm gate from the local store for $100. Cheap, simple and fast.

Eddie

hudr · Nov 2, 2005

Yes, build it stout. We have learned around here that gates are targets for drunk rednecks. But, I think your thought process is wrong. You can't build it to where they won't destroy it. But you need to build it to where they can't drive off after hitting it. You want the responsible party to still be there in the morning when you check on the property. I came in from work one day to find a long skid mark plumb out into our bean field, a fence corner completely missing, and barb wire and posts strung for a 1/4 mile down the road. Gee, I had no plans for the weekend anyway, right?

Toiyabe · Nov 2, 2005

I think that design is going to be a PITA to open and close. You've got a lot of weight cantilevered way out there, and it'll probably cause the inner and outer pipes at the pivot to bind.

The weak point is the latch, it'll be easier to cut through than 2" pipe, so why not just use 2" pipe?

hudr · Nov 2, 2005

Ok, I actually took the time to look at the proposed design. Yes, PITA open/close it will be. The stoutest gates we have ever put up on our place have been 2 3/8 drill stem gates (just a square/rectangle frame w/ a cattle panel welded to it) attached to 4" pipe in 36" holes w/ a couple sacks of quickcrete in them. Pea gravel also works really well. It will pack tight and give the water somewhere to go.
Also, you might want to think about a 20' gap and 2 10' gates. it seems that no matter how wide we make a gate, we end up with equipment that just barely fits.

1bush2hog · Nov 2, 2005

It is basically a 'park' type of gate. I need to work out the details on the hinge and I'm hoping to get some good ideas from all the experts on here.

As far as the latching mechanism, it will have a metal bar that drops down from the cross bar, that will nest inside of the post when closed. I will then be able to put a lock thru this inside the post to keep gate secure and lock away from bolt cutters. I will pour the concrete inside this post so the bar will rest on the concrete when locked.

The lock will actually be inside the post with access to it from a hole in the side of the post. I will have to take another look at some of these style gates to finalize design.

I was working from memory mostly.

I have not excluded the farm gate either, but wanted to see what something like this might cost.

1bush2hog · Nov 2, 2005

The problem is I can't check it the next morning. This gate will be for some property I have 3.5 hours away. That's where my tractor is too /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

1bush2hog · Nov 2, 2005

Thank you for your time and input. I really appreciate both. I understand there are easier opening/closing gates available and may end up going that route.

My current road into property would also is not wide enough for 2 10' gates, but I understand and appreciate the comments for sure, especially If I ever have this property logged.

1bush2hog · Nov 2, 2005

Yea - when you think about it - it is pretty sad to even have to consider something like this.

The fire road has a hill with a curve just below the gate location, so someone would have a tough time getting enough momentum to push or pull the gate - unless they brought in the heavy artillary. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

EddieWalker · Nov 2, 2005

Considering that your property is 3.5 hours away and you leave your tractor there, I'd go the indestructable route like your planning. Makes more sense now. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Even if you put $500 into the gate, that's still cheaper than having to replace the tractor. Theirves are usually going to take the easy route. Make it dificult enough for them and they will go on to the next guy.

Eddie

RobJ · Nov 2, 2005

That is a monster, but it's only as strong as the connection to the ground, make sur that is good. People will hook up a chain and try and pull it out just for spite. I've seen people put up simple gates that are easy to fix. If someone wants in then somehow they'll do it. Maybe even hotwire your tractor and use it. NOT trying to discourage you ar all just saying there are some folks out there that would just see this as a challenge. At our weekend place I stay close to the locals and they watch the place while we're not there. They are not affraid to check out something that looks funny, and they have access to get in and out too.

beenthere · Nov 2, 2005

If I were to see a gate like this, I would think that there must be something pretty valuable to need it. Just a thought.

The only thing I see needing consideration in the design is accounting for movement of one or both posts over time. That may not happen, but if it does (likely you don't get frost heaving) for some reason, then the locking mechanism needs to adjust for any movement. Maybe sagging will not happen because it normally is resting on the post and locked together, not left to hang on one post.

Great project.

1bush2hog · Nov 2, 2005

I also have great neighbors who have keys and access, but one can only expect so much from them.

I also understand putting up this type of gate may just turn a thief into a vandal. I'm thinking most thiefs and vandals are lazy. Hopefully the fact that they would have to walk appx. 1.5 mi. from the gate to get to my tractor would deter them also.

I want to stop the curiosity seekers and joy riders, but realize a determined thief or vandal is virtually unstoppable.

How deep should I plant these posts? 4ft?

1bush2hog · Nov 2, 2005

"If I were to see a gate like this, I would think that there must be something pretty valuable to need it. Just a thought."

Excellent point! I thought about the same thing.

Regarding the sagging, hopefully the USFS did their job on the original design - I'm just copying from them, but don't have their budget either.

This may be a $$$ monster too? I have not arrived at the pricing stage of the design yet.

I may endup sticking with a chain across the road and just put up some hazardous waste signs /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

have_blue · Nov 2, 2005

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I may endup sticking with a chain across the road and just put up some hazardous waste signs /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif )</font>

LOL! Or better yet, nuclear waste. Or a sign saying "Beware of 1000 pound wild hogs" or something. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Maybe some of those pop-up tire shredders you see in city parking garages. I bet it would be cheaper and easier to build some simple fold-down shredders than a massive gate.

Such a shame you have to resort to such things, you know? I'm asking for it, because I don't even have a chain across my entrance yet. My neighbors are well armed, and all the locals know it. But, sooner or later...

JimMorrissey · Nov 3, 2005

Nice. Maybe you can back off an inch or so everywhere around and save some weight and money. If it's filled with concrete they won't be getting through even with 5" posts.

hudr · Nov 3, 2005

Ok, Having the background helps us understand your design. For a gate that heavy, you will want to plant those posts (especially the one holding the gate) pretty deep. 4' should do it. Also, I have found that if I "Bell" the bottom of the hole a bit to let the concrete spread out it really helps keep the post from leaning because of the gate weight. The hinge could be handled like one of the other postings suggested, sleeve a larger piece of pipe over it and drill/tap some fittings for grease.
Yes, it is sad we have to do stuff like this. Its not that I want to have a "Mine mine mine" attitude, but people won't just cross your land, they will cut doughnuts, scatter trash and in general vandalize the property as they do it.
I have a 1/4 driveway that some neighbors use to access some of their land, no actual "easement" just being a good neighbor. Well, I come home the other day and their kids are ripping up my freshly smoothed gravel ($300 a load + time/fuel to spread) with a 4 wheeler and a dirt bike!
GRRRRRR /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif
Sorry to ramble.... build the gate, make it stout. We'll help any way we can.