Automating a Five-Bar Gate

Five-bar gates are everywhere in the countryside – on farm lanes, yard entrances and country driveways. Getting out of the tractor, the jeep or the car to open and close them, in all weathers, gets old fast. Automating them is very doable.

Timber or metal?

• Timber five-bar gates need to be strong and well braced, with good hinges. Light, cheap timber gates often twist once a motor's fitted.
• Galvanised steel field gates are lighter and stay straight, so they automate well – but they're flexible, so the motor needs to be fixed in the right place on the gate.

Automating Five-Bar Gates on Farms and Lanes

Five-bar gates are everywhere across Cumbria's farms and country lanes, and automating them saves a lot of getting in and out of the car or tractor.

Timber or metal five-bar gates can both be automated if they're sound and hung on strong posts.

We'll look at the gate, the posts and the power supply before recommending a solution.

Electric Field Gates in Rural Cumbria

Power is often the biggest challenge. Long lanes mean long cable runs, so we plan the route carefully, and we can add GSM control so you can open the gate by phone.

We fit CAME overground motors, plus safety devices suited to the site, and force test everything to BS EN 12453.

Motor-only work like this is priced after a free site survey.

The usual setup

• An overground motor on each gate.
• Strong posts – timber or steel, set firmly. Old, rotten or leaning posts are the most common thing I need to sort first.
• A gate stop so the gate closes in the same place each time.
• Safety devices to suit – photocells across the opening and, where needed, safety edges.

Power on farms and rural lanes

Field gates are often a long way from a power supply. Options include:

• A cable from the house or yard – the most reliable, but longer runs mean bigger cables and more trenching
• Solar power with a battery – works for light, low-use gates; needs sizing carefully for our winters

See power supply for electric gates.

Opening options for farms

• Remotes in each vehicle
• GSM "call to open" – ring the gate from an authorised phone
• A vehicle loop so the gate opens as you approach from inside
• A keypad for contractors and visitors

Livestock and safety

Think about animals as well as people. A gate closing on stock, or opening and letting them out, is a real risk. Photocells, timers and settings can be chosen to suit, and I'll go through it with you.

Call or WhatsApp Adrian on 07854 037752 – a photo of the gate, hinges and posts helps.

Questions people ask me