Self-closing gravity gate (angled hinges)

rd_macgregor · Mar 9, 2017

I have a vague recollection of the sheep farmer in the movie Babe inventing/making a self-closing gate. Does this ring a bell with anybody else?

MossRoad · Mar 9, 2017

rd_macgregor said:
I have a vague recollection of the sheep farmer in the movie Babe inventing/making a self-closing gate. Does this ring a bell with anybody else?

Hoggett's gate... can't find any pictures of it, but I remember it.

CCWKen · Mar 9, 2017

Wow! What a great accumulation of ideas and brainery.

When I get ready to build my 20' roll-back I'll have to come to this forum. :dance1:

Sounds simple enough but there's some specifics that I will need to deal with such as auto-open AM, stay open, auto-close PM and open/close with remote, etc.

orezok · Mar 9, 2017

I use these on a couple of my gates. They incorporate a hydraulic cylinder so they close slowly. Good for up to 150# gates.

Kant-Slam KS-95 Hydraulic Gate and Door Closer - Gate Spring Closer - Amazon.com

Sodo · Mar 9, 2017

Would this Kant_Slam work well on a bump gate? It doesn't look like it would work on two-way saloon style gate. Would have to buy four units and add trickery I suppose.

To keep this thread on-track, description of the gate restated:

- driveway gate to signify private driveway
- Two 10-foot gates meet at center
- "Saloon-door style" opens from either direction
- Bump-to-open, and closes slowly by gravity, perhaps slowed by a door closer.
- fairly lightweight but "looks secure"
- no electricity available (heavy tree cover, no solar)

I'll build it with very adjustable hinges (and hinge-line). Once I know the weight, and how it behaves I can fool with the gravity response and the "period".

dragoneggs · Mar 10, 2017

Loving this thread Sodo... keep us 'posted'.

CADplans · Mar 10, 2017

My daughter was on the track team in high school the first time I saw this closer.
I wanted to get a shot put ball and make this gate closer.

I did build one for my wife's strawberry patch.
It ended up not needing much weight,, I used a piece of 1/2" thick steel bar.
I used 3/8" chain that I had,, I think the weight of the chain is almost enough to close the gate.

The closer has been working perfect for 20 years.

My closer does not have the extra post out in the yard.
I just hooked the chain to the gate,, and the hinge post.

Sodo · Mar 10, 2017

Being a driveway gate we will approach it from either side. This is a single gate, a bit simpler than a double saloon style. Notice the detent at closed position. This gate is too heavy. I think a single gate like this is easier to keep an eye on - than one on each side.

It just occurred to me that while easy to learn for residents, guests will have a real hard time with a bump gate. Also UPS guy probably wont bump it. Also of someone is right behind, they won't know what to do. They don't know that they can't 'just follow'. I would use a gate like this as a farm gate but a driveway gate has to be dumb enough for John Q Public.

Grandma bumps into all kinds of stuff but it's all unintentional. But at least it's in full view. People who can't not hit stuff with their cars might have a real hard time hitting a gate "the right way". And those with new cars.

Ford850 · Mar 10, 2017

Here's a couple ideas that might help. There are many ideas out there but most are for single gates. Your Saloon style gate definitely makes it more difficult.
Bump & Go Gate - YouTube

Gandy Slide-A-Way - YouTube