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paulz
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# Posted: 31 May 2016 10:37am
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My gate is in a very shaded area so I have been trying to dream up a non-solar/battery automatic opener (although with the limited use it gets, a solar one might work).
My best Rube Goldberg idea is a pneumatic system using a portable air tank, an air valve, some kind of air ram and return spring, with a bleed off hole so the gate would slowly close itself after you drove through. Based on my air powered motorcycle lift, I figure the gate could cycle many times on a tank. I would have a second tank at the ready and quick connector.
Another idea would just be a simple screen door closer (my gate is light, one finger will swing it), or maybe one of those car hatchback shock things. I would still have to get out of the truck to open it but at least would not have to get out again to close it.
Any other ideas? My gate is not locked so security is not an issue.
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neb
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# Posted: 31 May 2016 11:53am - Edited by: neb
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Here is what a lot of rancher use and they seem to work very nicely. I'm not sure the YouTube video will work but it is a bump and drive and it closes once you are through.
http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=bump+gate+opener&qpvt=bump+gate+opener&view=detai l&mid=327EE5550B4864E725A9327EE5550B4864E725A9&FORM=VRDGAR
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sparky30_06
Member
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# Posted: 31 May 2016 12:08pm
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Why not use a mighty mule and just change out the battery when it runs low or dies?? The battery is much smaller than an air tank.
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paulz
Member
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# Posted: 31 May 2016 12:35pm
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That bump and drive is brilliant!
Yes but an air tank is lighter, lol. Just trying avoid another battery.
Thanks for the replies. I am going to try the screen door closers first, I have some and at least it avoids getting out of the truck half the time.
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sparky30_06
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# Posted: 31 May 2016 03:03pm
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used several bump gates on ranches and they work ok, pay attention otherwise your truck and if you tow a trailer will end up with scratches across them. The screen door closure or shocks are an interesting idea but once you push it open it will star closing right away, so you will have to run back to your vehicle. I have a few electric openers and it don't take much to keep them charged. The opener I have can cycle a 16 foot gate weighting 450 lbs 125 times on one battery charge and there is room for a second battery to make it last even longer. It uses 12v dry cell batteries that you would find in a security system or exit light in a building.
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paulz
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# Posted: 31 May 2016 03:13pm
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Yeah I was just thinking about that. I called a friend of mine who collects weird stuff (good friend to have) and he has a couple of closers for heavy doors to give me. They have adjustable dampening and hopefully can be turned down enough to give very slow closure.
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sparky30_06
Member
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# Posted: 31 May 2016 04:25pm
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worth a shot, RUN FAST!!!lol I was trying to think of a pulley and counter weight system also but too many moving parts.
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paulz
Member
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# Posted: 31 May 2016 04:41pm - Edited by: paulz
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That was the first thing that crossed my mind, a rope dangling from overhead in front of the gate (there are trees all above) that you pull on, connected to....
It's a bit of a fun brainstorming exercise, I bet the guy that thought up the bump and drive rode a lot of fences.
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MtnDon
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# Posted: 31 May 2016 06:19pm
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Does it snow? The best gates for locations with snow pivot up instead of swinging. We have a few here in the mountains, mostly solar / battery electric operated with a remote control or keypad.
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Popeye
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# Posted: 31 May 2016 10:49pm
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I make the passenger open the gate. 
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paulz
Member
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# Posted: 4 Jun 2016 11:15pm
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Can't do that in my case (that's an old cabin photo, it has a deck now and stuff, but she remains a real trooper). No snow.
So my friend gave me a crate full of door closers that I have been messing with, and I think I have a couple dialed down enough to make the mad dash back to the truck and through the gates before they close. Should have them mounted up next week.
If that works I may try a bump and drive type of thing, maybe I can even do that too. Like those big round spinning padded wool things at the drive through car wash. If I put one overhead and hook up a hose maybe I can even wash the truck on the way through...
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neb
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# Posted: 5 Jun 2016 11:37am
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Lol! I really don't think the bump and drive system would be very hard to build one. Would just need some creativity and trial and error to make it work. A very simple design and keep us posted.
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NorthRick
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# Posted: 5 Jun 2016 12:23pm
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Quoting: paulz So my friend gave me a crate full of door closers that I have been messing with, and I think I have a couple dialed down enough to make the mad dash back to the truck and through the gates before they close. Should have them mounted up next week.
Maybe you could rig up some sort of stop that holds the gate open but gets released when the car tire runs over something. That way you're not in a race against the gate closer.
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paulz
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# Posted: 15 Jun 2016 05:51pm
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Looks like my gate closers are going to work! Still some adjustments to do, you need a PHD in door closers to install these things. In addition to the 3 hydraulic adjustments, spring tension adjustment, lever position and length adjustment, the mounting locations also make a difference, and in my situation no book reference since there is no overhead door jamb to bolt them to. Anyway it sure felt good to drive through the gates on my way home, stop and eat a slice of pizza while the gates closed themselves. Once I get them all dialed in I'll start on the bump and drive/car wash part. Here is a riveting video of them in action.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlMwN5zayR8&feature=youtu.be
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