o/t gate hinges

TimMiller · Oct 28, 2009

I am building a front entrance gate to our farm. Its going to be 16' long and weigh around 600 lbs. What should i do about the hinges? can i just use the classic metal pin into metal sleeve style hinge or should i look for a ball bearing type hinge? I will be installing an automatic gate opener capable of moving an 18' 850lb gate. The next size down will be pushing the operating limits.

Also i'm making the entire frame all the way around with 2" steel. I dont think it will have a problem with the weight. What do yall think? There will be 1" steel bars going all the way down the front of it .

ericlb · Oct 28, 2009

you might look into hinges for a large safe like in a bank, most gates that are that large and heavy roll on wheels and roll horazontaly to open, but some safe doors weigh tons and hinges for them should easily support your gate

Heyseed · Oct 29, 2009

I would suggest a wheel at the working end.

TimMiller · Oct 29, 2009

I have found a place here in town that has the hinges but they are huge. They would look stupid. I have seen some heavy duty hinges before that dont look stupid big, just i haven't found where to get them yet.

thurlow · Oct 29, 2009

I used to make all of my own gate hinges when I was in the cattle business.........sized to fit the application. Typically the 'straps' were 1/4 by 3 or 4 inch by whatever length seemed appropriate, usually about 10 or 12 inches long. Hinges were 3/4 inch rod fitted into 3/4 inch pipe. They were secured with bolts/washers/nuts or lag screws depending on where they were used. Have built dozens and dozens and they were MUCH better than what is available from the farm supply houses.

Tx Jim · Oct 29, 2009

TimMiller
I've had an electric operated gate for over 10 yrs. I have ball brg hinges on it. I bought my hinges on the internet,. One drawback is no adjustments to level gate. I started out with a Mighty-Mule gate opener but now I have an Apollo. Mighty-Mules aren't built near as strong as Apollo's.

Another thing to consider when building a gate is wind blowing against it making load heavier.

If one has adequate gate posts a wheel isn't necessary. A wheel would also increase load.

dieselpup · Oct 29, 2009

I would look for the ball bearing type with that much weight. There are companies that specialize in building hinges for heavy gates. I think you would end up seeing a lot of wear if you went with plain old strap hinges. At least if you are in and out very often.

kito169 · Oct 29, 2009

I used to build fences,gates,barns and even an airplane hanger with oil field pipe. I built my hinges using pipe. I used 2 7/8" pipe about 6" long for the outside part and 2 3/8" with a 1" collar on it to drop in the outside piece. I drilled a hole in the larger piece and put a grease zerk in it. A 25' gate would hold up great. A 5 mph wind would open it if not latched. Whatever you build the gate out of, make sure there is at least if not more iron down the fence line where it is attached or it will pull the fence line out of the ground. Unless you put a wheel on it. I never used a wheel because the ground was never level. After 20 years none are sagging. I used a 3/4" rod passed through a 3/4" pipe for a latch. What I liked about all this is I used scrap to make these accessories that normally cost alot. Hope I've been some help. Rick

k9mills · Oct 29, 2009

Try WWW.KINGMETALS.COM, King Architectural Metals, Dallas, TX 1.800.542.2379 for all types of gate hinges, plain, BB or otherwise. Also for gate materials and operators. They have the most complete stock of ornamental iron products that I have found.
KM

tg in VA · Oct 29, 2009

Here are some photos of my farm gate. It is made of 1 1/2" square steel tubing. The rod (3/4") that attaches the gate to the post has an "L" that curves back and fits into a hole drilled in the fence post. This keeps everything tight and plumb. The bottom hinge is bolted to the gate, the top is not. There is a hinged piece of tube steel that allows personnel entry without having to open the gate.

Hope these pictures help I hope they post!).

If the pictures don't post, email me ([email protected]) and I will email the pictures.

TimMiller · Oct 29, 2009

I just sent you an e-mail.

o/t gate hinges

TimMiller

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ericlb

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Heyseed

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TimMiller

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thurlow

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Tx Jim

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dieselpup

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kito169

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k9mills

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tg in VA

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TimMiller

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