The gate specialists at 4suregates.com give advice that if there are more parts to maintain and protect against ordinary wear and tear, it denotes greater investment costs for the long term, The main reason why the swing gate is a more popular choice than the sliding gate. is its low gate repair maintenance requirements: having fewer parts than a sliding gate. Such consideration is important if contemplating on installing an automatic gate that requires additional mechanisms..The rule when installing any fixture or equipment is to apply appropriate and regular maintenance as doing so ensures optimal performance and longevity.
Two Basic Components of Electric Gates
Unlike ordinary or non-automated gates, there are two basic components to consider for basic maintenance:
Automatic gates consist of two basic components: the gate panels and the gate operator.
The Gate Panels
The gate panels are the physical barriers moved with a swinging or sliding motion to block the driveway opening.
Gate panels are attached to a framework that is mounted between posts using hinges. Gate panels have a latch component that locks automatically when the panels are triggered to shut close by the automation mechanism.
The Gate Operator
Gate operators are the electrically-powered mechanisms that allow homeowners or gatekeepers to open and close the gate panels without requiring the application of manual actions. The gate operator system may be hydraulic, gear-driven or chain-driven;
Hydraulic gate systems make use of hydraulic fluids such as water or mineral oil. High pressure tubing containing the fluids will generate power that is more than enough to open and shut the panel gates. A gate controller that works on a hydraulic system is deemed advantageous in terms of maintenance and repair because it involves fewer moving parts that undergo normal wear and tear over time.
Gear-Driven Gate Operators –
Gate operators that run on a gear-driven motor usually require the attachment of a metal or nylon rack at the bottom of the gate positioned a few inches above the ground. The size of the gears or cogs attached to a spindle at the bottom of the gate panels must correspond to the size of the teeth of the above ground rack attachment.
That way, once the gate motor activates, the spindle, the turning motions of the gears running on the teeth of the rack will drive the pushing or pulling actions to close or open the gate panels. Gear-driven gate operators are used across different parts of the world but usually for heavy duty commercial gates guarding large facilities. Obviously, this type of operator requires meticulous inspections to ensure that gears of the spindle and the teeth of the rack remain constantly matched and properly aligned.
Chain-Driven Gate Operators
Chain-driven gate openers utilize a roller chain much like the bicycle chain but larger as it is used to propel a gate along a track. The chain-driven operator is well-liked because of its proven durability and versatility as the operator system works well even on uneven terrains.
However the cons or considerations when choosing this type of gate operator is that it generates more noise, while requiring more frequent lubrication maintenance especially if for heavy duty use. In most cases, chain-driven gate operators can leave an unsightly grease line on the driveway entrance.