This is slightly off topic, but, since I drive a tractor through the gate maybe it is related. Does anyone have any experience in setting up gates to open. I'd like to use two 8 foot gates set to automatically open from 8 to 8 and then security pad access after that. The systems are available for around 3 grand which is way more than I want to spend. Looking at Surplus Center I see linear actuators, controllers, and all that. Just wondering if anyone has tried this?
- Thread starter kyhayman
- Start date
Doesn't answer your question (and certainly doesn't provide security, which is what I guess you're after), but I loved my cattle guards. Bought an old 580 CK backhoe many years ago and had an almost limitless supply of used utility poles (and my own sawmill). When I retired, I think I had 21 cattle guards; no telling as to the amount of time and aggravation they saved me over the years. They did pretty much allow the 'public' unlimited access to the pastures, but it was never too much of an issue.
pat sublett
Well-known Member
Just finished installing a gate. Spent my earlier days in electronics and automation so I am reasonably skilled in such projects. I finally through away the $200 detectors, that you bury beside the road. I wouldn't try them they are not reliable. Too many things effect them. I used ultraviolet eyes on the inside and a loop detector on the outside with a relay to open the circuit at night or when I am gone. I also had trouble with the safety loop. I used a ultraviolet eye for safety and had problems with it. When the opener motor started it prevented the eye relay from dropping. I had to put a couple of capacitors on the power leads to solve the problem. The little radios, like garage openers work fine. When you get into access for the public, the safest and cheapest way to go is a push button anything else can get expensive unreliable and down right frustrating.
How about using a remote-controlled linear actuator with a timer to control the power on-power off time? If you made the gates to slide like a track door, instead of swing, a garage door opener motor and chain could move it, again within the hour limits set by the timer, and you could use the remote from the tractor seat.
Don't know if you would like this or not but my in-laws rigged up a pretty neat deal. They have a half mile long drive way and wanted a locked gate but hated have to get out and open and close it. They put a "mule" gate opener on a pipe gate in a wood plank fence. They the battery and solar pannel behind a little shed up the drive way and ran the wire along inside of the fence. Put the mule where you really have to look to see it from the road. They put a chain around the post the gate hits when closed, nailed it on the back and put a lock on it. They have a fist full of remotes, one on every key chain for the tractors, four wheelers, cars, ect.
Dave
Dave
Tx Jim
Well-known Member
- Location
- Coyote Flats, Texas
I had a Mighty Mule that I wore out on an entrance gate. Replaced it with 2 different Mighty Mule's & had nothing but trouble. Then I bought an Apollo gate opener that has been working fine. Apoolo costs more but is heavier constructed. I have key pads with a 4 number code on each side o gate plus battery in gate opener is charger by solar panel.
Caution: there is a rubber covered switch on side of controller box that one can push to open gate that needs to be deactivated if cattle can access switch. I had 3 steers escape one night by pushing on rubber button and 1 got hit by a truck.
Anonymous-0
Well-known Member
I've had "Mule" by GTO on our gate for a few years now. They say they have them working just fine in all climates and I say it's BS! I'm here in East Texas and we get wet in the winter with fast falling temps with ice in just a few hours. My opener will work 99% of the time but man when the temps fall after a front with rain it can't take the ice. So. my advise would be to build a protective cover over the whole actuator to keep it as dry as possible. Thier options for opening have worked fine. The opener just can't take foul weather as advertised IMHO!
I have a mighty mule (GTO) gate opener that has worked well for me. THe first one I had was an older model and I had trouble with it. They look the same except the newer model has a blue circuit board instead of green. You can also get an automatic lock for it. If you use a double gate it will be more expensive/ 2 gate arms. I think the maximum recommened width for a single arm is 12 foot. It wasnt an option for me because of space limitations but a single sliding/rolling gate with the opener that sits on the ground would be a lot more durable.
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