01-06-2026, 03:43 PM
We have a single five bar gate suited to our rural location and for 20 years it has been automated to open/close with an above-ground electric ram attached to the mid-point of the top bar of the gate. We need another replacement thanks to a DHL c-Commerce courier who forced it open last week, fracturing the ram close to the motor.
This is a by-the-by except to warn against this dreadful company who do everything they can to dump goods if arriving outside the time slot they promised.
Horizontal fittings are attached to the gate post and when opening from CLOSED to OPEN across the required 90 degrees, this gives the ram operator the required angle and to pull and retract. However, the hinges of the gate are set so that when opening, the gate rises to cope with the steadily rising drive when entering the property.
This has always produced unwanted stresses on the typical fixed fitting that is bolted to the mid-point of the gate because the ram does not follow a completely horizontal trajectory during its movement, leading to distortion of the fitting and the bolt through the gate. Does anyone know where to obtain a more flexible fitting at a reasonable price perhaps using ball & socket or alternative connection between the two objects? I've looked but solutions appear to be for robots!
There must be many driveways that are not horizontal and we cannot consider a sideways gate operator.
Many thanks
BillBo
This is a by-the-by except to warn against this dreadful company who do everything they can to dump goods if arriving outside the time slot they promised.
Horizontal fittings are attached to the gate post and when opening from CLOSED to OPEN across the required 90 degrees, this gives the ram operator the required angle and to pull and retract. However, the hinges of the gate are set so that when opening, the gate rises to cope with the steadily rising drive when entering the property.
This has always produced unwanted stresses on the typical fixed fitting that is bolted to the mid-point of the gate because the ram does not follow a completely horizontal trajectory during its movement, leading to distortion of the fitting and the bolt through the gate. Does anyone know where to obtain a more flexible fitting at a reasonable price perhaps using ball & socket or alternative connection between the two objects? I've looked but solutions appear to be for robots!
There must be many driveways that are not horizontal and we cannot consider a sideways gate operator.
Many thanks
BillBo