Entry Gate advice appreciated.

[aczlan]

I've seen some pictures of this while searching for ideas and they all seem pretty high off of the ground. Whatever I end up doing, it has to be coyote proof. I like the idea of the sliding gate being on wheels and just an inch or two up from the track. If I go with a swing gate, it will also have to be close to the ground, but I do that on my other gates by pouring concrete after the gate is installed and building the concrete up to the bottom of the gate. So either way works for me and keeping out coyotes. I just don't see how I could do this with a cantilever gate.

Why not? You would just need to have the rollers on the cantilever gate set so the the top of the roller is just above the grade of the road. I might still put a roller (or a HDPE skid) on the tip of the gate to keep it from digging in if someone hangs on it it or if you end up with small pile of dirt/sand in the way.

Aaron Z

 

[flyerdan]

Definitely, if the road is fairly level across, there is no reason that a cantilever couldn't be just an inch off the road, low enough that a cat couldn't crawl under it. A strongback stiffens them up and keeps them tracking true. Wind is an issue primarily if it's filled with privacy link or wood slats; we'd build gates for vineyards and they supplied the wire, it was designed to keep animals out, the bottom had 1.5 x 6 openings and it gradually went to 8 x 6 at the top, which was about 82", if I recall. It kept the small critters at bay at the lower end and the deer out at the top. Kind of a modified field fencing wire, it keeps the animals out and is nearly invisible at eye level if retaining the view is important.

 

[hosspuller]

Sliding gates have an advantage in locking. Drive it into a pocket, then it can't be pushed open. Also wind is not a factor when operating. For personality: only limit is your budget and talent. I'd like a set of tuned chimes stacked on the side of the road. As the gate operates, strikers on the gate play a tune on the chimes.

 

[joefromga]

There are lots of places around here with tight spaces that have gates that tilt up 90 degrees. Neither slide nor swing.

Pretty cool to watch them work.

 

[RLWATSO1]

For you folks that use solar for your gates, how is that system? I'm planning on a 16 ft wide slider gate but we do not have power to the end of the drive (1700 ft to the house) so we will be using solar. We live in eastern Ohio so not really an ideal solar area. I'm just kinda worried we will run out of power if opening/closing the gate several times per day.

Thoughts?

 

[joefromga]

Solar works fine but not with a tiny 5watt panel that usually comes with the gates. A large 30w panel will work fine with a sealed battery.

The problem isn't that it can't power the gate but it doesn't work at night and cloud cover/rain makes a 5w panel nearly useless. You need the extra to cover those times. But with a large panel it will work fine.

 

[MacLawn]

I vote for sliding gate. Just seem stronger to me. Unfortunately, my land slopes a lot where my driveways are, so I don't think I could get a sliding gate to work, but you can.

 

[zzvyb6]

I chose double swing gates. I didn't want my approach to look like a factory entrance. I leave one open and the other closed They are 8' apiece. I can drive thru at 30 mph without hitting mirrors, but you'd be surprised at how many folks don't think they can make it. When necessary, I close both and the coyotes, deer, beggars, lost souls and other annoyances can be convinced to go elsewhere. When I need to get hay equipment through, just open both gates.

Because of the landscaping (tall pines on both sides and hay fields on each after that) The swing gates fit into the 'look' I wanted. Mine are just cheap aluminum square tube. Light, no rust, and cheap to replace. If someone REALLY has to come up to the house, they will see signs of other 'welcoming' possibilities. Even my UPS guy would rather walk thru the single open gate than open both drive in to deliver and close both when they leave. Signage reminds visitors of their obstacles, observations and obligations. Miltronic sensors fire alerts in the house and trigger my railroad crossbuck if and when 'something' passes through.

July 21, 211.wmv - YouTube

 

[JRobyn]

For you folks that use solar for your gates, how is that system? I'm planning on a 16 ft wide slider gate but we do not have power to the end of the drive (1700 ft to the house) so we will be using solar. We live in eastern Ohio so not really an ideal solar area. I'm just kinda worried we will run out of power if opening/closing the gate several times per day.

Thoughts?

Just make sure to get an operator with a controller that is designed for solar. I use Nice-Apollo. The controller has tons of options you can set to minimize battery drain. Their controller box holds a regular automotive lead-acid battery, so you can use a group size with lots of CCA. One recommendation I have heard is to buy a battery with the longest FULL REPLACEMENT warranty you can find (Sam's Club), and then trade in just prior to expiration. That seems a little unethical to me, and I don't think it will be necessary in my case. I use a 20W solar panel in a quite shady area (diffuse shade through trees) and it stays up to voltage just fine winter or summer, even during extended cloudy periods with an average of about 5-6 open/close cycles per day.

 

[ultrarunner]

I have a swing gate and after 3 Mighty Mule replacements with tenants I gave up.

What happened is people would force the gate just enough to squeeze through and that was enough to bend the worm drive.

Seen some real nice heavy gates but that is for another time and budget.

 

[CADplans]

I have a swing gate and after 3 Mighty Mule replacements with tenants I gave up.

What happened is people would force the gate just enough to squeeze through and that was enough to bend the worm drive.

Seen some real nice heavy gates but that is for another time and budget.

You need to get the same gates the "Clampetts" had,,,
Even Jethro could not hurt those gates,,, :confused2:



:laughing:

 

[txdon]

For you folks that use solar for your gates, how is that system? I'm planning on a 16 ft wide slider gate but we do not have power to the end of the drive (1700 ft to the house) so we will be using solar. We live in eastern Ohio so not really an ideal solar area. I'm just kinda worried we will run out of power if opening/closing the gate several times per day.

Thoughts?

We have gone a whole week without sun going in and out several times a day and have never have lost power. A lot would depend on your system, solar panel and battery.

My neighbor has a swing mule and his did not last the sunless week.

 

[davrow]

Here is the gate I want...

 

[aczlan]

Here is the gate I want...

View attachment 498223

People are complaining about bent gates that gate comes pre bent.

Aaron Z

 

[lexluther]

Solar works fine but not with a tiny 5watt panel that usually comes with the gates. A large 30w panel will work fine with a sealed battery.

The problem isn't that it can't power the gate but it doesn't work at night and cloud cover/rain makes a 5w panel nearly useless. You need the extra to cover those times. But with a large panel it will work fine.

I second this...

 

[tractchores]

I did a gate a few years ago and posted about it on here: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/projects/290381-driveway-gate-how-questions-challenge-2.html

After a lot of research I ended up with a swing gate 8' high and 14' wide with stone pillars and lights on either side. I went super high end and used FAAC openers and a Linear RE-1 Entry system. The goal was to have something that would last 20 - 30 years with no maintenance, look good and be openable via phone, key code or clicker. In my case I wasn't concerned with security so I did not go with a a lock mechanism, though they're relatively cheap. Some things I learned / considered that might be helpful for you:
- The swing gate is safer than the sliding gate (mine has no pinch points except where the gates meet and the pressure is so minimal it wouldn't injur anyone). A neighbor has a sliding gate and it seems like they had a lot of issues
- The swing gate requires 2 operators (more $$) and power / control lines to each side, so you need to go under the driveway (I had to bore a hole for mine)
- Plan out how you want it to operate, mine ended up way more complex. I had to install a keypad, safety photo eye, safety metal detection loop, a free exit loop (detects cars exiting). All of these cost extra.
- I ended up going with aluminum gates to save on weight. Posts are 4x4 steel set 4' down in concrete. I had to weld gussets on the hinges to prevent bending / flexing. I ended up using an ameristar gate, expensive, but great quality
- If you do columns around the gate I'd make the columns a bit taller than the gate VS level or shorter (huge difference in looks - I had to add height to my columns)
- It's shockingly expensive. Doing it over I may have not done all the automation, costs were over $16k and it turns out virtually no one turns around in my drive now when the gate is open, just a gate deters them even if it's not closed.

 

[EddieWalker]

Here is the gate I want...

View attachment 498223

For years, I was wanting to create something like this that made a statement, but now I've completely changed direction and want something that is more subtle. I hear a lot of comments that a slider looks industrial, but I don't get that feeling at all. For me, all that matters is that it looks nice when it's all done, and that it works. Keeping it simple is also a big part of it, but no matter what I do, I'm sure it will have it's list of complications.

 

[woody]

You need to get the same gates the "Clampetts" had,,,
Even Jethro could not hurt those gates,,, :confused2:
:laughing:

or maybe one like Batman had it just flops down and stands back up. :cool2:

Just joking, I have a swing gate now but if I have to replace it I think I'll go with a slider.

 

[flyerdan]

One of the problems with a slide gate is that it needs to be on a ground track if an automatic opener is used. Every roll gate on tires I've ever seen has been manual open / close because they tend to drift. The most durable track systems are the steel V groove roller that runs on an angle iron on flatbar track. That does a pretty good job at shoving ice, gravel, etc. aside and keep running, but driving over that 1.5" angle iron gets old after awhile.

 

[dragoneggs]

For years, I was wanting to create something like this that made a statement, but now I've completely changed direction and want something that is more subtle. I hear a lot of comments that a slider looks industrial, but I don't get that feeling at all. For me, all that matters is that it looks nice when it's all done, and that it works. Keeping it simple is also a big part of it, but no matter what I do, I'm sure it will have it's list of complications.

Ha ha Eddy, yeah I actually saved that wild design gate pic on my phone long ago and found it funny to have popped up here. I think I am in the same boat as you. I wanted a statement gate but now thinking I want something more modern zen design (if that means anything). Simple and pleasing to the eye but practical. Can't wait to see your solution. I really want a slider but I have terrain issues with that.