Driveway Gate Install

[troutsqueezer]

You might want to leave them loose if you are at all OCD. That way you can rearrange the blocks, get them straighter and more uniform in color On the other hand you are in CA, you might want to set them permanently so you don't have to restack them after an earthquake

Nice work, looking forward to more pictures.

I am OCD, for sure. So much so that when I posted the last picture of the gate, it looked like the opener arm on the left was tilted. I went out and measured it and sure enough, it is an inch and a half low. The gate still works fine as there is no pressure on any mechanical connections because the arm has a swivel joint. Just the same, I'll be out there grinding the bracket off and re-welding it soon.

 

[troutsqueezer]

As for reflectors on the gate itself, that's one reason I posted this project, for great ideas like that. Thanks guys.

More pics soon. I poured the other column foundation today. Almost time to rumble......stone.

 

[flyerdan]

Some of that reflective tape for trailers on the center uprights should make it visible at night; it might detract from the looks a bit but not nearly as much as having it run into, I've seen my share of that.
Another thing that you might consider for final assembly when all the fussing is done is to replace the hitch pins on the opener arms with something like a bolt with a nylock nut or other tamper resistant fastener. Granted, people can walk by it, but if someone wanted to drive in making it more difficult could deter the hit-n-git types.

 

[blin]

Is this gate located right at your property line? If it is over your line by 30' or so, I would strongly recommend a turn around lane. It's no fun to pull up to a gate, get denied access, and then have to back your way out a long road till you find a driveway you can back into.
Since this is a tractor site, I figured you already have the equipment to build it, you just need the gravel etc. Just make sure you are home or leave the gate open. .
This brings up another major point. I think I saw that you have a keypad set up at the entrance. Do you also have a call box that will ring to the house when the gate is closed and you have visitors?
If you have good cell service, it's not a problem thay can call the house and you can give them a code.
A better way is to have a phone entry system where they push a button and it rings to your phone. You just press a number on the dial pad and it lets them in. You can even get them with cameras so you can confirm that it reall is the UPS driver etc. You can also program the gates to stay open during the day and close at night if you have a seven day event timer built in.
Also want to mention a Knox fire switch or SOS (siren operated sensor) that will recognize the sound of a fire truck alarm. This is in case there is ever an emergency at the house and the gate is closed.
These are all items that can be added.

 

[troutsqueezer]

Some of that reflective tape for trailers on the center uprights should make it visible at night; it might detract from the looks a bit but not nearly as much as having it run into, I've seen my share of that.
Another thing that you might consider for final assembly when all the fussing is done is to replace the hitch pins on the opener arms with something like a bolt with a nylock nut or other tamper resistant fastener. Granted, people can walk by it, but if someone wanted to drive in making it more difficult could deter the hit-n-git types.

It's crossed my mind about the hitch pins. My thought is that the gate is only meant as a deterrent to prying eyes. It keeps someone from knowing if there is anyone at home, or what the layout of the land is. If they pull the pins and drive onto the property, they do so not knowing if they are being watched from the hilltop. It is a big risk to take, especially out here where everyone owns a gun. To be sure, if a vehicle pulls up the steep driveway when I know that the gate was closed, the shotgun comes out.

 

[troutsqueezer]

Is this gate located right at your property line? If it is over your line by 30' or so, I would strongly recommend a turn around lane. It's no fun to pull up to a gate, get denied access, and then have to back your way out a long road till you find a driveway you can back into.
Since this is a tractor site, I figured you already have the equipment to build it, you just need the gravel etc. Just make sure you are home or leave the gate open. .
This brings up another major point. I think I saw that you have a keypad set up at the entrance. Do you also have a call box that will ring to the house when the gate is closed and you have visitors?
If you have good cell service, it's not a problem thay can call the house and you can give them a code.
A better way is to have a phone entry system where they push a button and it rings to your phone. You just press a number on the dial pad and it lets them in. You can even get them with cameras so you can confirm that it reall is the UPS driver etc. You can also program the gates to stay open during the day and close at night if you have a seven day event timer built in.
Also want to mention a Knox fire switch or SOS (siren operated sensor) that will recognize the sound of a fire truck alarm. This is in case there is ever an emergency at the house and the gate is closed.
These are all items that can be added.

What you can't tell from the pics is that there is a turn around thirty feet before the gate.

I don't have a call box. We figure that it's a long drive for friends without calling first to see if we are home. That's something that has only happened once or twice in thirty years. They can use their cell phone from the gate if necessary.

The control box has timers and settings for most situations but we want the gates to stay closed at all times. Patterns of open and closed conceivably could be noticed by undesirables but out here, I would probably see them before they see me.

I'm hoping any fire crew will have the presence of mind to unhitch the arms and swing the gates open.

Thanks for all the suggestions, I appreciate the thought you all put into this.

 

[TomSeller]

I don't have a call box. ....... They can use their cell phone from the gate if necessary.

I'm hoping any fire crew will have the presence of mind to unhitch the arms and swing the gates open.
.

yep, on the cell phone.

I have a Knox box on mine. There must be a way to wire in a special key switch. Or the code is in the Knox box

 

[tractchores]

For security its worth noting you can likely push these open by hand with a bit of effort. A car would push right through. You can get magnetic locks and such that help with that, but gates of this style are more ornamental to keep out most honest folks vs true security barriers. Most people would move on to an easier target, if there is a gate there likely are other security measures too.

 

[ultrarunner]

In Olympia I had to give up on the gate idea after it was forced on three occasions... it was a nice gate with opener...

First two times the mighty mule opener was trashed... went to a more robust opener and the gate hinges ended up being mangled...

Plan to revisit it and when I up there permanent...

 

[blin]

Troutsqueezer,
You seem to be on top of most of the options, and I commend you on a job well done. It really looks great and your welding of the hinges and operator brackets look top notch. The style is really nice. Can you tell me where you got it from. You may have mentioned previous, but throw in another plug. You did their product justice.
In case of an emergency, most fire departments won't stop and look for a pin to pull, they will just plow through the gate to find the emergency. I would really reccomend Knox box or SOS unit. It's worth the investment for both piece of mind for your gate and safety.
If you can see the gate from your house they also ale long distance transmitters and receivers that might be able to open the gate from up to 1,500' away rather then just a couple of hundred.
Have you shot a video of them working yet?