to keep people off of my land!

[oosik]

I have a feeling that one of the reasons the gate helps - it acknowledges that a person had to stop their vehicle, get out & open the gate, drive through, and again stop and close the gate. They have not entered your property "by accident" - its pretty hard to say - "I didn't see the NO TRESPASSING sign" when they walked right up to it to open the gate.

 

[Sodo]

Check, those signs inform people the area is used; and that "someone may arrive who will question their presence". Of course it depends on how many people are trying to get in there - simple "info" may be all you need, rather than yelling at folks. With luck it may be just a few people you need to inform, or assert rights to, and then "you're done".

One problem I have with putting up punitive signs. Every time I'm about to do it, I feel apprehension,,,, like then I'd be obliged to exaggerate the trespassing offenses so my guests (some who are friends of friends) don't think I'm just being a jerk. There's the insurance/liability issue too (I hate that too!).

A gate doesn't yell at guests, and what you say oosik is correct. But then you too - are forced to open it, close it, tell other folks what to do with it etc, EVERY TIME. I like the automatic gates too, but they announce that there may be valuables in there (plus the gate itself). I've settled on making my entrance "un-interesting" - not eye-catching. (with luck!)

Lots and lots of details to every 'entrance'!

 

[dusty3030]

Just put this 24" x 18" sign up at the entrance to the trail down to our small lake where we caught the guy fishing the other day. Hope this helps!



Will be putting two more up at other entrances to the property, likely today. They are nice big signs, and very visible.

Fixed it for you.

 

[check]

Check, those signs inform people the area is used; and that "someone may arrive who will question their presence". Of course it depends on how many people are trying to get in there - simple "info" may be all you need, rather than yelling at folks. With luck it may be just a few people you need to inform, or assert rights to, and then "you're done".

One problem I have with putting up punitive signs. Every time I'm about to do it, I feel apprehension,,,, like then I'd be obliged to exaggerate the trespassing offenses so my guests (some who are friends of friends) don't think I'm just being a jerk. There's the insurance/liability issue too (I hate that too!).

A gate doesn't yell at guests, and what you say oosik is correct. But then you too - are forced to open it, close it, tell other folks what to do with it etc, EVERY TIME. I like the automatic gates too, but they announce that there may be valuables in there (plus the gate itself). I've settled on making my entrance "un-interesting" - not eye-catching. (with luck!)

Lots and lots of details to every 'entrance'!

The problem we faced when we bought the property was that it had been unused for a few years, and several of the buildings were literally falling down. So, the neighbours just used it as a convenient place to go for walks, etc. (It was kind of considered "public" land, and in any case no one was around to object.) Then, we bought it and rented it out on a weekly basis for the past 4 summers (each June and July), and so people have been gradually realizing that we do not want trespassers.

The reason for the sign is that it will make my neighbours realize that they are violating the privacy of our guests, and this should be a pretty powerful incentive - at least for people on foot looking for a nice path to walk on and to walk their dogs on.

The other concern is ATVs, the noise from which definitely intrudes into our guests' enjoyment. And those who ignore the signs will likely be local kids, who can easily be dissuaded by a barrier or by my speaking to them. (No one ever gets obnoxious around here, nor is there ever any danger from aggressive "criminal subtypes".

So, we will see how well the signs work, and also the row of built up topsoil that I strung along the property line, along with stakes and "CAUTION" tape.

It really is a matter of educating the locals, while at the same time not becoming a jerk about it. It is a very small community up here at The Lake.

 

[check]

One problem I have with putting up punitive signs. Every time I'm about to do it, I feel apprehension,,,, like then I'd be obliged to exaggerate the trespassing offenses so my guests (some who are friends of friends) don't think I'm just being a jerk. There's the insurance/liability issue too (I hate that too!).

I wondered about the tone issue as well, and would appreciate any feedback. Does the sign look too aggressive?

 

[hutchman]

Similar here. Pair of 10' gates I built out of square tubing years ago, attached to 6x6 steel I beam sunk in several yards of concrete, then laid the rock around them. I use OSCO brand 1/2hp openers (2) also triggered by our garage door openers. Had them 20 years now with very few problems.....they are ALL mechanical switching for one thing....not an integrated circuit or chip on them ! Also use the MURS sensors, both magnetic and motion (where it can be seen from the house).

I'm interested in this kind of setup but without solar. Anyone running electricity 1/4 mile? If so, how did you get around voltage drop etc.?

 

[hutchman]

... One problem I have with putting up punitive signs. Every time I'm about to do it, I feel apprehension,,,, like then I'd be obliged to exaggerate the trespassing offenses so my guests (some who are friends of friends) don't think I'm just being a jerk. There's the insurance/liability issue too (I hate that too!)....

I've wondered about that too. I like the funny signs like "If you can read this you are in range" but I fear if you ever did have a shooting incident they would try to use it as proof you were just itching to off someone.

 

[Parkanzky]

I'm interested in this kind of setup but without solar. Anyone running electricity 1/4 mile? If so, how did you get around voltage drop etc.?

It seems like you can get a big tax credit if you install a solar gate opener. What is the advantage of hard-wiring it?

 

[TnAndy]

I'm interested in this kind of setup but without solar. Anyone running electricity 1/4 mile? If so, how did you get around voltage drop etc.?

I ran #6 wire, and it hasn't been a problem for 20 years. About 1500'.

 

[TnAndy]

It seems like you can get a big tax credit if you install a solar gate opener. What is the advantage of hard-wiring it?

Solar works fine for smaller openers, like the "Mighty Mule" variety. Mine has two 1/2 AC motors (one on each opener). When I set it up decades ago, solar wasn't really available then, but even now, it would be sort of an expensive proposition. You'd need at least a 1000w inverter (something that would handle 1hp starting current), plus a battery or two, plus a charge controller, plus likely a 100w panel (depends on how much sun you could get).

Plus, in my case, it IS on solar...sorta....if grid power goes out, I flip a transfer switch in the garage, and we keep on operating on an 11kw grid tie/w battery backup system....and one circuit that is on that backup IS the gate.