Operated Gates
An automatic gate can fail from the ground up. Michigan frost reaches about 42 inches down, and a shallow post can heave until the gate binds.
We install and maintain operated gates for homes and businesses. Before we build, we plan the footing, the power, and the safety sensors.
For Homes and Businesses
Homes. Open the gate from inside, or from anywhere while you’re away. No more getting out of the car in January.
Businesses. Control who drives in and lock up after hours. We’ve installed gates and operators at Ottawa Sands County Park and Ottawa County’s Family Justice facility.
The Footing
We dig holes for gate posts instead of driving them, and we size each footing for the gate and the ground. When we hit a 50-pound rock where your gate should go, we move the rock.
The Power
An operator, the motor that runs the gate, needs power at the gate. We’ll tell you what it needs and where before we build, so power is not a problem for later.
The Safety Sensors
UL 325, the safety standard for gate operators, requires slide and swing gates to have two separate ways to avoid trapping a person, such as photo eyes and edge sensors.
Swing, Slide, or Cantilever
- Swing gates open like a door and need room to swing.
- Slide gates roll sideways, so they fit where a swing won’t.
- Cantilever gates slide with no ground track for snow and ice to fill. They need clear space beside the opening, about 1.5 times its width.
Maintained by the Team That Built It
Operators have moving parts that need service. We maintain the gates we install, and we answer the phone in year 1 and year 15.
FAQs
Can you add an operator to my existing gate?
[CONFIRM: It depends on the gate. Many manual gates weren’t built to carry an operator. We’ll look and tell you whether to retrofit or replace.]
What does maintenance include?
[CONFIRM: What SLF’s gate maintenance covers: service plans, inspection schedule, and response times.]
What does it cost?
It depends on the gate type and width, the operator, and how far power has to run.
Tell Us About Your Gate
Send the address, the width of the opening, and whether there’s power nearby. We’ll follow up with a free quote.