Automatic Gate Opener

[MarkLeininger]

I had one at my old house on a 14' chain link gate. Encountered initial problems in the cold, but they sent me a modified part and that solved the problem. It was due to differential contraction between a shaft and a bushing as I recall. Anyway, I was happy with it and with their support.

I'd suggest putting a wheel under the latch end of the gate to support it's weight, especially if you have horses. Also I would get the latching kit to keep it closed once it closes, otherwise there's enough play in the system to push it open from the outside far enough to walk through.

 

[greatrandini]

I think they stole it just to use or sell it!

 

[jinman]

From what I've seen, the Mighty Mule isn't shock mounted very well. There's nothing to dampen that initial torque surge. We had one (my wife before we got married) and it was constantly tearing itself apart about every 1-1/2 years. I built a little damper and it's been working great now for over two years with no fractured parts.

This wouldn't be a problem on a light-weight gate, but on a heavy 14' gate, the screwjack will really load up before the gate starts to swing.

 

[Unclebuck257]

Yeah, what jinman said is true! When they initially go to open they really do torque up!! I'm glad he mentioned that because you're going to have to be careful regarding the type of hinges you have on your gate (s). Make sure you've got some stout ones, mainly because of the torque jinman mentioned.

BTW, Say hello to Kathy for me Jim!! Man!! Did you get the better end of that deal!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[mikim]

<font color="blue"> Man!! Did you get the better end of that deal!! </font>
and a darn good lookin' end she's got too! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif (sorry Kathy - but sometimes when somebody opens a door - I just gotta walk through it) /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[jinman]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Man!! Did you get the better end of that deal!!
and a darn good lookin' end she's got too! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif (sorry Kathy - but sometimes when somebody opens a door - I just gotta walk through it) /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif )</font>

Yer durn tootin' I got the best end of the deal! And now she has one Mighty Mule, one Kawasaki Mule, and TWO jackasses. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Shimon]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( This wouldn't be a problem on a light-weight gate, but on a heavy 14' gate, the screwjack will really load up before the gate starts to swing. )</font>

OK...which version of the Mighty Mule are we talking about here? The FM350 (up to 16' gate / 550 lbs) or the FM 500 (18' gate / 850 lbs)? Both are shown on the page linked above. I was planning on the FM500 for my 14' gate (and it does have a wheel at the "latch" end).

For gate locks are you guys using the automatic gate lock from Mighty Mule (FM143)? Or something else?

Thanks.

 

[Ronbo]

I have had mine for 4 years. I love it. I have the overpriced solar charger. Teh battery goes dead every december when the sun is behind the clouds for 1 1/2 months. I disconnected the internal battery and ran wires out to a 875 amp walmart 12 volt car battery. That was 2 years ago and I have not had a dead battery since then.

Ron

 

[jinman]

Gate Opener Discussion

The thread above is a gate opener discussion in the Rural Living Forum that was back in December of 2003 and early 2004. I posted a full set of pictures of problems with the GTO-PRO gate opener and my solution. The new openers are not the same model, nor are they made the same way, but they do share the characteristic of not looking very well shock mounted. On the bright side, they are cheap and easy to find repair parts when needed. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif