Self closing farm gates one more time

[john in la]

I ask about building a self closing farm gate a few days ago.
"caterpillar guy" suggested installing a garage door opener to work the gate.

Can someone go into a little more detail about how you would go about hooking this up to work.
I assume you need to protect the motor from the weather also.

Cattle guard is not a option and trying to stay away from the high price of conventinal gate openers.

Thanks

 

[T_Bone]

Hi John,

How about a mighty Mule 12v gate opener, remote push button, 1500/cpd on a yearly charge, $360 new at Agri-supply. It will handle a 400# gate. Part No 61117

T_Bone

 

[West Coast Bob]

I recall a gate in a film by the name BABE that was self closing if my memory serves me correctly.

It used a weighted object on a rope or cable.

Rent the film and you will see what I'm talking about.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0112431/

 

[MF294-4]

We had a guy around here a few years ago that had a large heavy gate suspended by cables up to a pole that it pivited on in the center. You just bump it with your bumper and it would open and as it turned it would raise it a couple of inches. The weight of the gate would close it after you got through. Worked real good. Don't know how it would work with the bumpers of today though.

 

[john in la]

Thanks T_Bone
That is most likely the type of opener we will have to go with.
While I know how to build a self closing gate they can be a real PITA with longer loads because they try to close before you are fully clear of the gate. Your timing has to be correct EVERY time even with short loads.
And when you figure in hooking up 110 elect. for a garage door opener this 12v model gate opener becomes very cost effective.

Thanks
John

 

[steve n carol]

(quoted from post at 21:15:53 04/24/08) Hi John,

How about a mighty Mule 12v gate opener, remote push button, 1500/cpd on a yearly charge, $360 new at Agri-supply. It will handle a 400# gate. Part No 61117

T_Bone

Thanks T bone!!!

 

[T_Bone]

Hi John & Steve,

Your welcome!

I bought one last year for a entrance gate that I have yet to install, a roundtoit...LOL The MM seams like the best bang for the buck and they work well from the web reports I've read.

You can also get additional remotes for $20??? of which I bought three. Geez even if I have to rechage the battery twice a year, I still figure it's a good deal.

Now if only I can find a wireless security beam. I want the type that a beam has to be physical broken to trip the receiver warning chime/lite. It also has to work at 500ft from the beam sensor.

T_Bone

 

[Chris Jones]

Here is a link to a web page I made about how I used a garage door opener to make a gate opener. It's still working great.
My gate opener

 

[Greenehillbilly]

We did the garage door opener thing and even though it was well covered it still failed after 2 years. They are not built for exterior use that I can see.

Randy