I agree that 4 feet should be the standard depth. Also soil condition matters. If you want to make certain the installation is done correctly you pore a grade beam with outriggers. Most clients won’t tolerate the cost increase. Especially since non of the competitors will offer it. The most important obstacle for openers is when you install the post & gate you must be able to read the level and do the actual work to get it right. Then hinges become a huge issue. Only use bearing type hinges. It’s also critical that the bearing style hinge is installed in line as well as make certain if your using the cheaper block hinge that the grease fittings are on top! Having it in this configuration means it’s more difficult to hang the gate if you ever take it off after the initial installation. If the grease fitting is on the bottom you must grease your hinges more frequently. Water does get into these hinges when mounting them with the fitting on the bottom. Fail to keep grease in them and the shaft & ball will rust quickly and plug the fitting. You won’t be able to grease them once the rust takes over. Mounting them with the fitting on top makes rusting and clogging the fitting almost impossible. Once you have everything properly installed openers like the Liftmaster brand are more than adequate for residential gates. The last two things I’d like to talk about is wire & mounting accessories. Direct burial wire ONLY. No exceptions! Use the proper gauge too! No matter what some companies claim you can’t run 16 gauge wire 1000 feet and have it charge the batteries. Ohms law is something you need to understand. Lastly is if your adding an accessory take the time to mount it and I mean use a screw. Double sided tape isn’t acceptable! Then run and tack down all wiring so it’s not sticking out the bottom of a cabinet or getting into the drive assembly. And please label the wiring once your finished!!! I’m sorry for the long rant but way to many installations are done poorly and cause service calls that aren’t necessary. It’s not always the manufactures fault when your gate doesn’t operate reliably.
Thank you for your videos! Do you like any of the solar openers? My driveway doesnt have power and I am not sure which solar unit is a good one. Also the speed - so many seem to open so slowly! Thanks for your help!
Would the wall thickness of the posts vary between Steel and Aluminum. If I had an aluminum double driveway gate what specifications should I ask for if using aluminum posts please.
You probably installed it already. I installed a 12 ft Al. gate with a 4x4x1/8" steel post a year ago. The gate supplier sells and recommends 3x3x1/8" steel post for their 12 ft and 14 ft gate. Al gates are very light. Hopefully it lasts for many years.
Been in this business a long time, if this guy is local to you hire him! The biggest single problem in this industry is poor quality workmanship and the second is low grade equipment. Avoid both
I agree that 4 feet should be the standard depth. Also soil condition matters. If you want to make certain the installation is done correctly you pore a grade beam with outriggers. Most clients won’t tolerate the cost increase. Especially since non of the competitors will offer it.
The most important obstacle for openers is when you install the post & gate you must be able to read the level and do the actual work to get it right.
Then hinges become a huge issue. Only use bearing type hinges. It’s also critical that the bearing style hinge is installed in line as well as make certain if your using the cheaper block hinge that the grease fittings are on top! Having it in this configuration means it’s more difficult to hang the gate if you ever take it off after the initial installation. If the grease fitting is on the bottom you must grease your hinges more frequently. Water does get into these hinges when mounting them with the fitting on the bottom. Fail to keep grease in them and the shaft & ball will rust quickly and plug the fitting. You won’t be able to grease them once the rust takes over. Mounting them with the fitting on top makes rusting and clogging the fitting almost impossible. Once you have everything properly installed openers like the Liftmaster brand are more than adequate for residential gates. The last two things I’d like to talk about is wire & mounting accessories. Direct burial wire ONLY. No exceptions! Use the proper gauge too! No matter what some companies claim you can’t run 16 gauge wire 1000 feet and have it charge the batteries. Ohms law is something you need to understand. Lastly is if your adding an accessory take the time to mount it and I mean use a screw. Double sided tape isn’t acceptable! Then run and tack down all wiring so it’s not sticking out the bottom of a cabinet or getting into the drive assembly. And please label the wiring once your finished!!!
I’m sorry for the long rant but way to many installations are done poorly and cause service calls that aren’t necessary. It’s not always the manufactures fault when your gate doesn’t operate reliably.
Who asked
Do you install gates in the Chicagoland area??
Thank you for these expert technical points!
Love your videos and keep them coming. More info in this industry for clients is necessary. This is a buyer beware industry
I truly appreciate the knowledgeable information and will be checking out your website. Thank you.
Thank you for this great video
Hello Sir, please do a video on slide gates. What would be a good gate opener for a slide gate. Thank you
Thank you for your videos! Do you like any of the solar openers? My driveway doesnt have power and I am not sure which solar unit is a good one. Also the speed - so many seem to open so slowly! Thanks for your help!
Do you supply to the Australian market?
Do you install gates in the Chicagoland area?
Would the wall thickness of the posts vary between Steel and Aluminum. If I had an aluminum double driveway gate what specifications should I ask for if using aluminum posts please.
You probably installed it already. I installed a 12 ft Al. gate with a 4x4x1/8" steel post a year ago. The gate supplier sells and recommends 3x3x1/8" steel post for their 12 ft and 14 ft gate. Al gates are very light. Hopefully it lasts for many years.
What is your service area? If we are outside of it do you recommend other companies?
How can I contact you for a Long arm gate opener? I use email only, not FB, Twitter, etc.
Been in this business a long time, if this guy is local to you hire him! The biggest single problem in this industry is poor quality workmanship and the second is low grade equipment. Avoid both