Go on show me a better back bracket!

This work-of-art, was actually left as the rear mounting bracket for a hydraulic operator on a swing gate system, little wonder the owner decided to call us in for assistance.

Has anyone got a better example of utilizing bits-from-the-van, to get a job done? Does anyone want to own up to this fine display of welding?

Joking aside the fixings and their security, is a very important and potentially dangerous part of an installation. Many gates are known to have fallen down and some with fatal results when fixings failed. Operators are often one of the most expensive parts of any powered gate system, and breaking free of their fixings, usually means they need replacing. Also if the operator is the locking method, as so often the case in domestic installations, the fixings at each end are critical to the system's performance and reliability.

Not just the method of fixing, but the support structure it fixes into, is equally important. The likelihood is that a vehicular gate way, will suffer the odd vehicular abuse and often this would not be admitted too. Each incident will weaken the system and these items must be inspected and tested within the scheduled of maintenance, a schedule that is fully suitable for the installation, its level of use and the environment.

How would you feel, if your gate fell onto your new car or a child? Some unlucky people now know, just how that does feel and they would have been more diligent if only they had been adequately informed.

We advise strong steel supports as the main structure, concreted well into substantial foundations and tied back where able. Masonry, timber and such like, would then be purely cosmetic and all fixings would be securely attached direct where able, to the core steel or similar support.

Brackets, wearing surfaces and all load baring items should be engineered beyond, simply holding the gate in place, but to withstand a life time of reasonably expected environmental abuse. From more guidance please review our design guide at your leisure Automatic electric powered gate systems guide