Our Mighy Mule gate opener just died.

[Soundguy]

I've never grounded one specifically, however all mine use wheels and roll. For static, that is likely enough to drain it off

 

[Stimw]

I've had a Might Mule Double opener for 2 1/2 years and I have been MAD at it after the first month!
I paid $599.00 plus tax at TSC and 33 days later I see them on line for $499.00. I contacted TSC and was told they don't price match AND it had been 33 days.
It has been raining everyday since May and some days it comes sideways! I have had to take the operators apart and blow the moisture/water out of the limit switches to keep it working.
They did conveniently make it so you can remove the pins to manually open it WHEN it screws up!
I had a Harbor Freight Opener before this one and it was very well made (from Italy) but the transmitter codes quit working. They are no good without the remotes!

 

[ultrarunner]

I went through 3 at the rental home before giving up.

Never had a problem myself... but 3 tenants and 3 openers was enough.

Two were motor related and one was a mangled/bent screw from being forced I guess.

If I ever do move back... thinking of something more robust with and arm and belt...

 

[ultrarunner]

SO.....I finally sprang for a good, 'arm' type opener. I bought OSCO brand. They have a 1/2hp AC motor, belt drive to a right angle gear box....and best of all.....ZERO circuit boards.....every thing in it is a mechanical switch with the exception of the radio receiver/relay. Been using it for 15 years or so, and had very little problems with it. (occasional switch needed replacing)

Looks like they have circuit boards too... at least the site I visited.

I'm with you... keep it rugged and simple without electronics.

 

[Redneck in training]

Wow, that must be some flimsy gate!

I run tube gates, I adjust close for contact + 1/2 second for secure shut. I don't worry about 'people' safe, gate will fold or stall before you could hurt someone.

What you running? 4 tube tube gates?

I run 5-6 tube gates up to 16', for a 20' gate I have a different arm.

I guess my gate is flimsy. One time I accidentally cut and shorted the cable from a button operating the opener while my tractor was restricting the gate. The opener bent and cracked the gate pipe and rotated the wooden gate post about 30 deg. If I set the torque control to lesser setting the opener will stall at low temperatures. After the accident I had put a sleeve on the gate pipe and also anchored the gate post so it couldn't rotate. I made few more improvements to the bracket also. The bracket on the gate post is now also anchored so it can't "wiggle" when lateral force is applied to it, the original pivot pin was replaced with new pin that is secured by two nuts in the bracket. Both mods provide for quite stiff anchor point for the actuator making the closure of the gate way more consistent. In example when wind is blowing. The opener worked pretty good for several years until last week. Considering it cost $199 there not much to complain about. I will post few pics tomorrow.

 

[Retired Iron Peddler]

I've had a Might Mule Double opener for 2 1/2 years and I have been MAD at it after the first month!
I paid $599.00 plus tax at TSC and 33 days later I see them on line for $499.00. I contacted TSC and was told they don't price match AND it had been 33 days.
It has been raining everyday since May and some days it comes sideways! I have had to take the operators apart and blow the moisture/water out of the limit switches to keep it working.
They did conveniently make it so you can remove the pins to manually open it WHEN it screws up!
I had a Harbor Freight Opener before this one and it was very well made (from Italy) but the transmitter codes quit working. They are no good without the remotes!

I purchased a double gate opener from TSC about 10 years ago. I had either a problem with the rev counter in each of the control arm or the main circuit board. Finally after shipping components back and forth to the factory while in warranty, I eventually ended up with refurbished control arms and a new main circuit board which have been flawless for the past 8-9 years. (Now I have just jinxed myself and will have a problem with it. )

My Mighty Mule double gate opener is a solar/battery powered system. Years ago, I replaced the little cheesy sealed batteries with a 12-volt group 24 wet cell Deep cycle RV battery which ended my cold weather weak battery problems.

Bill

 

[Soundguy]

Yeah id say that gate was flimsy!

Securing the hinge post from rotation is a must. I like 4x4, or rough timbers in concrete. I don't normally 'crete posts in, but on openers I do. Not a round hole either, oblong to prevent rotation.

On that multi position hinge anchor the provide. Once I had it set I also drilled Thru it to secure with a bolt.

 

[4shorts]

Coincidently I just install one of these. Some of the reviews on the Mighty Mules weren't good but I took a chance. I planted the pipe four feet in the ground, machined my own hinges that has two bearings in each hinge that are greasable. I also put the Mighty Mule electric lock on the end of the gate I built. I did the low voltage wire install instead of the solar system. I think I'll make a water proof jacket to go over the actuator next to help keep it dry.
Did a video on it as well. I hope it lasts.
http://youtu.be/8n9gRWdGRs8

 

[ultrarunner]

Nice job on the hinges... often the weak link in my experience.

 

[roadhunter]

I had a mighty mule for about 2 weeks. Returned that POS and bought an Apollo. No problems since.