SLIDE & SWING OPERATORS
Slide and Swing gates are popular and have been around for decades. If properly installed and serviced they can serve customers well in many applications. However, AutoGate Vertical Pivot systems have some clear advantages over slide and swing gates.
ADVANTAGES OF VERTICAL PIVOT GATE SYSTEMS:
SAFER – more incidents and injuries occur on SLIDE gates versus other automatic gates
QUICKER – Vertical Pivot gates open in 10-14 seconds, SLIDE and SWING open at one foot per second
SPACE SAVING – Vertical Pivot Gates require less space to open and close
ADAPTABLE TO ANY TERRAIN – Curbs, Driveway Crowns/Swales, and Contours are No Problem for a Vertical Pivot Gates
INCLEMENTAL WEATHER OPERATION – Vertical Pivot systems perform well in the cold and snow areas
REPAIRABILITY – if impacted Vertical Pivot Gates are relativity easy to straighten and continue to work flawlessly
COST ADVANTAGEOUS OVER TIME – Quicker and less expensive to install and a Lower cost of ownership
SLIDE GATES
There are three common types of slide gates:
- CANTILEVER ROLLER: This is a full gate panel with a tail section that is typically half the length of the gate opening (road width), i.e. a 20′ slide gate will have a 10′ tail. There are (4) rollers to support the gate. This cantilever slide gate is not guided by rollers along a ground track. Instead, the cantilever gate is moved sideways and back via roller trucks or roller wheels mounted to gate posts.
- OVERHEAD SLIDE: Overhead slide gates use an overhead beam to support an enclosed track. A gate panel (usually aluminum for lighter weight and better appearance) is hung from the overhead track, to roll back and forth, opening and closing. An advantage of an overhead slide gate is it requires less space for the gate panel to open/slide into (no counterbalance is needed). A disadvantage is the height of an overhead beam will create an overhead restriction – usually at approximately 16 ft. high
- V-TRACK (Rolling): V-Tracks gate are normally only installed in warm weather areas where they don’t get snow. The gate rides along an inverted piece of angle fastened to the concrete like a rail. There are V-Tracked wheels that attach tot he bottom of the gate allowing it to roll back and forth. This type of gate only requires a small extended section for the operator to sit and operate the gate panel.
There are other slide gate options, but most are higher security situations and many times a custom to the project.
All slide gates are required to observe and be installed to UL 325 and ASTM F2200 standards for gate specifications and installation criteria. Failure to meet these codes exposes the near by pedestrians to injury or even death. The owner, installer, or anyone involved with the gate or its servicing can be liable in the case of an injury.
SWING GATE
Swing gates are very common and well suited for use in residential sites. Although they may differ in size and materials used, they all move through an arc, typically 90 degrees, to open and close. The primary factor between swing gates is the quality of the gate hinges and how the weight is distributed on these hinges. Another point when viewing swing gates is the support post and how well anchored it is into the ground. The weight of the gate when moving through the 90-degree arc will create stress on the post and if it is not well anchored it will twist or bend. Swing gates are not typically fast and for multiple reasons and they usually are not used in high cycle applications. Using DUAL swings can help shorten the opening time and also all you cover larger road widths than one gate can cover.
There are typically 2 standard methods to open swing gates. The first is pad mounted operators with articulating arms. The second is post or pillar mount linear actuators. Hanging swing gates can be done with a varying types of hinges. The heavier the gate the more robust the hinges need to be. Gates will typically hang off 4″ or 6″ square posts set in concrete or heavy duty stone or brick pillars.
All swing gates are required to observe and be installed to UL 325 and ASTM F2200 standards for gate specifications and installation criteria. Failure to meet these codes exposes the near by pedestrians to injury or even death. The owner, installer, or anyone involved with the gate or its servicing can be liable in the case of an injury.
