Gate opener

[Eyecatcher]

Anybody built a gate opener from scratch? Everybody I've talked to who has purchased one has had trouble with it, maybe a guy could build a better mouse trap?

 

[Willl]

I've built 2 for my gate(s). Both times I used a standard garage door opener to power them, one even was a swinger.

 

[stingray1]

I believe a garage door opener is the way to go.I scabbed up a model one weekend at work for a swing gate it worked good but,I haven't built the gate yet.

 

[Eyecatcher]

how about some pictures?

 

[chad22]

Interesting. Never thought about building a gate opener. Would love to see someone do it.

Cha

 

[Willl]

how about some pictures?

The swinger was replaced with the current slider/roller. The guts for the old swinger setup is in a pile behind the garage, I could drag it out and snap a few.

The roller that's in use now ain't much to look at. Just a painted wooded box with roller chain coming in/out and a commercial door opener inside.

 

[KYErik]

Here's my swinging gate operated by a 1/2 hp craftsman garage door opener. It looks a little rough but it has worked well for the last 3 years. The door opener is laying on its side. The black rain cover is a rubbermaid tub. I oil the chain every 2-3 months. Through trial and error, I found that the wooden arm should be at about a 45 degree angle when the gate is closed.

 

[Soundguy]

very creative!

 

[Eyecatcher]

Thanx for the pix, gives me some ideas

 

[bcp]

I was thinking of a garage door opener, but with a rolling gate. One end suspended from a barn door track alongside the fence top, and the other end with a wheel. It would roll back and forth across the driveway instead of swinging.

Bruce

 

[tglass]

haven't found a use for one of these, but the problem I've seen with these is keeping the track clean unless you live in town.

 

[bcp]

haven't found a use for one of these, but the problem I've seen with these is keeping the track clean unless you live in town.

That's why I'm thinking of the overhead track that a barn door hangs from. It would be about 4 feet off the ground, with the open side facing down. No track on the ground at all.

Bruce

 

[sparc]

What about a gate the swings upward? It could pivot at the bottom and rotate 90 to a vertical position. The mechanics of it might be easier and less moving parts than some other designs. I've seen gates that operate in this manner but have not seen how the linkage works up close.

 

[Wheels2]

What about a gate the swings upward? It could pivot at the bottom and rotate 90 to a vertical position. The mechanics of it might be easier and less moving parts than some other designs. I've seen gates that operate in this manner but have not seen how the linkage works up close.

View attachment 280814

A cheap winch could be used to tip up that type of gate.


Harvey

 

[Willl]

Like said, nothing much.

 

[PhysAssist]

Like said, nothing much.

That's just beautiful!

Thomas
No matter where you go; there you are...

 

[Willl]

but the problem I've seen with these is keeping the track clean unless you live in town.

Neighbor across the street has a asphalt driveway and uses a piece of steel angle laid out in an upside down 'V' with track wheels to fit.

Has no problem keeping it clean.