Automatic Gate; Recommendations needed

[RxRatedZ71]

The Elite liftmaster has a 7 year warranty and is often used by neighborhoods for there entrance opener. I found that the pad mounted openers are more secure and heavy duty.

 

[jimgerken]

I use a Mighty Mule type opener. Its very convenient for me because I dont have to get out and open then get out and close the gate, sometimes in the rain. HOWEVER, if someone wants to open it, they can (and have) simply push it open. It makes a ratcheting sound, and I am sure it is not good for it, but they do it easily. A child could do it. My dogs cant though, so I keep using it. Be aware, they are far from secure. What has worked for me in a remote location of my property, that used to get used as a dump by local aXXholes, was to put up a sign that said "no dumping/ no tresspassing", and another sign that said "trail cameras in use". And I keep the area mowed nice, so it looks like I am there once in a while.

 

[CNC Dan]

I use a Mighty Mule type opener. Its very convenient for me because I dont have to get out and open then get out and close the gate, sometimes in the rain. HOWEVER, if someone wants to open it, they can (and have) simply push it open. It makes a ratcheting sound, and I am sure it is not good for it, but they do it easily. A child could do it. My dogs cant though, so I keep using it. Be aware, they are far from secure.

MM does make an electric latch that can be added.

 

[pacerron]

Everything seems cheap that way. Spot welded pins, and improved features in the construction is what I plan on. Nothing is 100% secure, but one can make it a hassle to mess with. For now we pad lock the gate, so it's a hassle for us on a daily basis.

I don't think you have mentioned if it is a welded pipe farm gate or a fancy steel or aluminum?
In any case, don't forget to secure the hinge side.
A lot of folks put both pins up and go to great lengths securing the latch side never thinking that with both pins up
anybody can lift it off of the pin side and move it back. Turning the top pin down at least makes them use wrenches and if you mess up the threads they usually just give up. Even cows and horses have pushed the hinge side up off the pins by rubbing their itches.

If your using a chain and padlock on the latch side of a farm gate near the road, put a chain and lock on the hinge side as well, up near the top so even if they get the gate off the pins they can't drive over it.

In the old days, when cars and pick-ups had bench seats, you always wanted to be the guy in the middle, so you weren't the one that had to get out and open the gait..

 

[Soundguy]

i use the MM type openers at my farm. as others have said. not super quality.. however not expensive either.

in the end.. gates only keep the honest people out... but it's better than nothing.

ps.. easy to hide the battery.. besides.. i'd be more worried about them stealing the 150$ solar setup.. vs the 40-80$ battery..

 

[txdon]

For the past 5 years I've had good luck with the American made Patriot gate opener. My 18' gate slides to the side.
USAutomatic automatic swing gate openers and slide gate openers

 

[bglz42]

If some really wants in, they are coming in, LOL! I have not seen a gate yet that I couldn't pull down with my tractor if I really wanted entrance.

My MM's have been super reliable. I am even on my original (15 year) keypad... I use a marine battery and a small solar panel...

 

[Rayster]

You have given some very valuable information to to think about. Thanks very much for the advice and input. We will do some research and see how it goes from here.

 

[houstonscott]

Apollo is only real choice.


HS

 

[txdon]

HS looks like we both got good openers.
USAutomatic Patriot and Apollo Gate Operator Review

 

[houstonscott]

Yeah if you want trouble free operations, when it has to work every-time type stuff, you have to go Apollo.


HS

 

[Soundguy]

Apollo is only real choice.


HS

i do plenty of apollo instalations. only real downside is price.. but they do work pretty decently. I don't get the life out of their remotes that those lil GOT remotes do. I have some GTO remotes that are 10ys old now. seems the apollo remotes ( multi code / linear ) are only good for about 3 years )

 

[Stick895]

Hang a "Trespassers Will Be Shot!" sign, with bullet holes in it coming from the back, on the gate!

 

[Soundguy]

i lived in an apartment one time and made a wind chime out of shotgun hulls...

 

[Rayster]

HS looks like we both got good openers.
USAutomatic Patriot and Apollo Gate Operator Review

I will check that out thank you :thumbsup:

 

[RedNeckGeek]

+1 for Mighty Mule openers. Got mine from Tractor Supply on sale, then added electric latch and more openers from Amazon. Used theft deterrent bolts for the latch mechanism, and pocketed the latch itself into the 6x6 square steel post it closes on. 2x2 square tube gate, four rail with stiffeners every three feet, with bearing pivots made from scrap on hand. Probably weighs 100 lbs, but pivots with a finger push. Also use the MM lock on the opener arm, and a deep cycle marine battery. Picked up a plastic battery box at Wally World, sunk a 2'x12" post hole under it, and filled it with concrete. While it was still wet I sunk a length of chain into it, leaving enough to loop over the top of the battery box. Someone determined enough could probably still steal the battery (or defeat the gate), but they'd really have to work at it. Unfortunately it would be easier to pull down the neighbors flimsy chain link gate, then drop back across my property line. I'm working on stacking up enough boulders to make that difficult as well. I was leery of the problems others have reported with the MM stuff, but it's going on three years for mine and I've had zero issues. Oh, the solar panel sits at the top of a 2"x20' pole that is bolted to one of the fence posts, and so far I've had no problems with the buried gate opener sensor, either. That's probably the biggest vulnerability: Someone with one of those magnets farmers use in their cows could probably trip the sensor after climbing the gate. I'll have to give that a try to see if it works!

 

[CNC Dan]

.... so far I've had no problems with the buried gate opener sensor, either. That's probably the biggest vulnerability: Someone with one of those magnets farmers use in their cows could probably trip the sensor after climbing the gate. I'll have to give that a try to see if it works!

That won't do it. But I know what will. I wouldn't worry about though.

If you think you are being watched, reach up to your visor when you reach the in ground sensor, to make it look like you have a remote.

 

[roadhunter]

+1 on Apollo. I bought one of the cheap Mighty Mule models and had all kinds of trouble. Apollo is expensive but it is in a different class than the Mighty Mule IMO.

 

[franklin2]

My dad bought a couple of the openers from tractor supply. Both got burnt up by lightning storms so he gave up.

 

[breadtrk]

We were just kidding on the guns and IED's!

Backhoe owners weren't.