Gates are a good deterrent to crime. Having strong sturdy gates discourage unwanted visits and reduce potential intrusion threats. But the gates can be heavy and hard to push. And it is inconvenient to open the gate manually particularly when it rains. That is why Auto Gate Motor is ideal for the home and building.
Automating the gates provides comfort and convenience as you no longer need to run out to open and close the gate manually. More importantly, you can now safely open and close the gate from the security of your car or home.
But if you have not automated your gates before, does it mean that you need to change the gate for this to happen? No. The motors are external and can be attached to your existing gate. So in most cases, you can use your existing gate. If you are unsure, you can take a photo of your gate and send it for our appraisal.
There are two types of gate mechanisms – Swing or Sliding. While we are seeing an increase in foldable gates, the principle is the same. It is either swinging or sliding. The implementation may defer
Swing Auto Gate Motor Consideration
If you have a swing gate, there are two ranges of motors that you can use. The Concealed Swing Gate Motor or the Swing Arm Motor.
Concealed Auto Gate Motor
If your gate leaf width is less than 2m, you can use the If your gate leaf width is greater than 2m or the usage is expected to be heavy (like for a condominium), you should use the Swing Arm.
The swing Arm can handle and pull a greater load. As it is mounted above ground, it is not subjected to water collection and mud that may accumulate and be deposited for concealed motors.
The disadvantage of a concealed motor is its lifespan. Most concealed motor lasts about 5 t0 7 years, depending on their usage. The motor has built-in gear that will wear out over time as it holds and turn the gate. The heavier the gate, the greater the wear and tear. And in applications where the gates are not aligned, the gear struggled against gravity to pull the gate in.
How to know if the gear is worn out?
If the gate opens halfway and stops, or if the movement is intermittent and not smooth, there is a high chance the gear is worn out. A good way to check is to stand near the motor and listen. If you can hear the motor turning but the gate is not moving, then you should replace the motor.
For replacement, do replace both motors as they work in a pair and would have worn out by around the same time.
Swing Arm Auto Gate Motor
If your gate leaf width is greater than 2m or the usage is expected to be heavy (like for a condominium), you should use the Swing Arm.
The swing Arm can handle and pull a greater load. As it is mounted above ground, it is not subjected to water collection and mud that may accumulate and be deposited for concealed motors.
Generally, they are expected to last longer. A life span of up to 10 years is not uncommon. Again the alignment of the gate and the weight of the gate plays an important part.
But as it is above ground and can be seen on the gate, it may also be subjected to physical abuse and vandalism, particularly for condominiums and commercial buildings.
That is why it is important to have a maintenance program to keep the arm in good operational condition.
Sliding Auto Gate Motor Consideration
Sliding Gate motors are rated according to the weight of the gate. We carry different ranges that are designed to handle most residential gates to heavy-duty industrial gates.
One major consideration is the length of the gate. If the gate is very long, it may take longer to pull the gate open. For entrances that are wide, in most cases, we advise having two gates instead of one. This reduces the waiting time for vehicles.
Safety Photosensor
Photosensors mounted on the columns are often recommended with sliding gates. These sensors detect obstructions and will stop the gate from closing. We recommend using the sensors with sliding gates. You can also use the sensors with swing gates as well.
Selection of Auto Gate Motor
We carry MAG and FAAC Auto Gate motors for swing and sliding gates. Please feel free to check out our products.
