Swing Gates
Swing operators come under 2 main headings
electro-hydraulic and electro-mechanical. Electro-hydraulic systems are
used for high intensive use or very large gates, electro-mechanical
systems are for smaller and lower use gates, there are advantages and
disadvantages with each system and final selection of the best product
depends upon the specific site conditions and restraints. Both
mechanical and hydraulic systems come in mains 230V and 24VDC versions,
24 volt systems have added safety features inbuilt not generally
available to the hydraulic systems. When designing systems care must be taken to design out where
possible all potential crush and impact areas, with additional
electronic safety devices installed as necessary to meet current
regulations.Gate Mounted Operators
This type of operator comes in both hydraulic and mechanical options. The hydraulic systems are capable of very intensive use on large gates, whereas the mechanical options tend to be the entry level operators for smaller office systems. For large multi use sites such as apartment blocks where reliability and ease of manual overide is required the non-locking hydraulic system with additional electric lock is the answer. The operators are mounted between the support posts and gate at a height to suit gate design and site constraints. A piston is driven within the operator which as it pushes and pulls moves the gate back and forth. In normal curcumstance the maximum angle of movement is around 100/110 degree's. When gate are hung on brick piers it is often necessary for part of the pier to have to be cut away to allow mounting of the operator.Underground Operators
A heavy duty box is set into the ground and this together with a bearing hinge act as the bottom pivot point of the gate. The operator then sits within the box and drives the gate back and forth. An angle of 180 degrees of movement can be achieved if the gate is hung correctly. Electro-mechanical systems by nature of design are self locking meaning that on a gate leaf width in low risk situation additional electric locking devices are not required. Underground hydraulic systems generally are quicker in operation and offer non-locking versions where ease of manual overide is important.Both systems are suitable for automating multi-residential swing gates without detracting from the aesthetics of a modern or traditional style gate and low use commercial sites where the opening angle needs to be larger then 110 degrees.