A wise person once stated that simplicity is inspired by divinity.

That philosophy has led to the design of both of our swing and slide gate operators.

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Slide Gate Operators:

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A slide gate will operate in about a 4" wide area that is the width of the driveway plus an equal distance and an additional 4' perpendicular to the side of the driveway where the gate opens. This narrow and long area is the 'danger zone', but, it is only dangerous if you as the owner are not paying attention when you activate the gate. Just as you would automatically do when approaching an uncontrolled intersection, you should check for anything that might cause an accident. If the gate is clear to open then it should also be clear to close once you have driven through and the photo eye is not blocked. If the gate does encounter an obstruction while moving it will stop and sit there until you take action. Remember there is only a 4" wide slot that is vulnerable. The odds are that the obstruction is not a vehicle but a tree branch or plastic bag that has fallen or blown into the path of the gate. Once safe, use your remote, key pad, etc to activate the gate and it will automatically go to the open position and, if the photo eye is clear, time out and go closed.  If a driver tries to race through the gate after you have opened it and causes a collision, well, "you cant fix stupid" ~

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Speed Reduction On The USGate SL24S: 

We use a high quality 24vdc gear motor. This basic design in various combinations is typical with all modern slide gate operators.

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Gate Travel Speed:

We have engineered our drive system to move the gate at 11" per second. This gate speed is in the commercial operator category and may not seem important until you are sitting in your car waiting for the gate to open. Slow gate speeds seem to encourage guests to "rush" the gate which can end up as a car vs. gate collision. 

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Options in speed reduction used in gate operators in the past are:

A. 2 stage chain or 'Jack Shaft' design is over 100 years old (complicated but it works), is a bit

     noisy but not obnoxious, and the better quality units are quite expensive. They are very efficient and

     long lasting with little maintenance.

B. A 'V' or timing belt and chain is less efficient due to the physical properties of the 'V' belt. A 'V' belt is

     a maintenance item so be sure you can get a replacement at a local hardware store or on line.

C. A pair of timing belts is expensive, quiet and very efficient. Timing belts are costly and typically

     proprietary. The factories are infamous for not giving you a break when you need a replacement.

     To our knowledge this design is no longer used probably do to cost and an increase in size of the

     operator in order to have correct center distances for the pulleys.

D. A 'V' or Timing belt and right angle worm. A right angle worm speed reducer is about 80%

     efficient which means you loose about 20% of the power you are paying for. They are quiet and

     should last for decades.

E. Right angle, or worm, gear motor where the proprietary motor is directly bolted to reducer.

    Quiet, compact, reliable, long lasting. 

   

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