If protecting yourself, your family, and your business is your priority, you need an automatic gate opener.
Sliding gates are an excellent way to add an additional layer of security to any property. Pairing it with an automatic gate opener is the best way to ensure only residents or authorized personnel can access your premises.
Sliding gate motors automatically open and close your sliding gates, and they are typically activated by remote controls, keypads, or sensors.
A sliding driveway gate motor is easy to use and reliable, meaning you’ll likely enjoy years of unproblematic use with minimal services and maintenance required.
What Is an Automatic Gate Opener for Sliding Gates?
An automatic gate opener for sliding gates is a device that operates the opening and closing of your gate at the touch of a button.
Usually, automatic gate openers are for driveway or pedestrian gates that are used frequently.
How do automatic gate openers work?
The product includes a motor connected to a power source that assists in moving the gate back and forth without you needing to do anything.
These motors can be powered by AC or DC electricity, or even solar energy:
- AC motors are usually more suited to heavy gates that are used regularly, like those in commercial operations.
- DC motors are usually quieter and more energy efficient, making them a great option for residential properties.
These motors are powered by a drive system that can be a chain, belt, or gear.
A control box is typically located near the gate opener motor, which receives signals and activates the motor to start moving the gate.
When the motor turns, the gear rotates, causing gear racks to move back and forth. As the gear racks move, it pulls the gate along with it.
How can an automatic gate opener help me?
There are plenty of benefits involved in using an automatic gate opener. They:
- Offer convenience: You can automatically open or close a gate without manual action.
- Protect your property: This product ensures security and safety for any premises by providing controlled access and preventing unauthorized entry.
- Help those with limited mobility: There is no need for anyone to open or close the gate manually, which is useful for those with difficulty moving around.
- Prevent accidents: Accidents can easily occur when it comes to having to manually open and close heavy gates. Having this activity automated reduces the risk of an accident.
Why should I use an automatic gate opener?
When business owners need to protect their property, vital business documents, client lists, vehicles, and other assets, automatic slider gate openers increase the overall safety of commercial premises.
With the purchase of an automatic gate opener for homeowners, keeping unwanted guests out of your home, conveniently granting access to your property, and increasing privacy is much easier.
How do you install automatic gate openers?
The ease of the installation process will depend on the gate opener you choose.
Some installations will be straightforward and only require basic tools provided by the manufacturer, meaning you could install the product yourself.
However, installing some automatic gate openers will need specialized knowledge and tools due to specific electrical and wiring requirements, so you may need to hire an expert to install the gate operator.
What types of automatic slide gate openers are there?
There are mainly two types of automatic slide gate operators used—those designed for commercial settings like business premises and those more suited to residential properties.
Who should use automatic gate openers?
- Homeowners who want to protect their property and their privacy.
- Business owners who want to bolster security measures on their commercial premises.
What features should I consider when choosing an operator to automatically open my gate?
Before you purchase a slide gate opener, there are a few things you need to take into consideration.
The weight and length of your gate are important. Each sliding gate opener is built to certain specifications and can only handle a certain gate weight or length.
Additionally, you’ll want to consider the weather conditions where you are installing your automatic gate opener. Harsh weather conditions can corrode or rust the parts of certain gate openers, so you will need to choose one that is constructed to operate in these climates.
Other details to consider before choosing an automatic opener include:
- Power source: Do you have the necessary power source to provide electricity to the operator?
- Mounting hardware: Depending on where you want to install the opener, you'll need the right mounting hardware. The manufacturers of some devices won’t include the accessories you need to mount the opener where you want it.
- DIY or specialist installation: If you’d like to install the opener yourself, you’d want to choose a model that includes kits for installation. However, if you’re unfamiliar with welding, for example, you may want to bring a specialist in to do it.
- Adjustable auto close: This feature allows you to set when the opener closes the gate once it has been opened. Typically, adjustable auto close can be set for between 30 and 60 seconds.
- Range: The range of an automatic gate opener is the distance at which the remote control can communicate with the opener. If the range is too short, the gate may not be able to open or close from your desired location.
- Loop detector: This device is used by automatic gate openers to detect the presence of an object or vehicle in the gate's path. This detector is an important feature of any operator you buy to avoid accidents caused by a closing gate.
If you are a homeowner or commercial property owner interested in installing an electric gate opener for your sliding gate, we’ve handpicked some of the best automatic slider gate openers to help you make the best choice.
The Best Commercial Automatic Gate Openers
If you have a sliding gate in a commercial environment, you need an automatic gate opener that is reliable, heavy-duty, and can withstand the test of time.
We’ve put together our top three recommendations for automatic gate openers for commercial settings.
1. LiftMaster 24VDC Heavy-Duty Variable Speed Slide Gate Operator HDSL24UL
The new LiftMaster line of heavy-duty automatic gate operators with variable speed control makes the challenge of moving the heaviest of gates a thing of the past.
This family of smart commercial swing and slide operators provides the perfect solution for commercial or residential community environments with large, heavy gates.
Facility and community managers can rely on these slide gate operators for:
- 24/7 uptime
- Secure access.
- Operator longevity.
- Remote monitoring of all access points.
- Seamless integration with additional LiftMaster safety accessories for a fully connected system.
The package features Photocell model LMRRUL with protective hoods, a 5” resistive safety edge, and two FREE remotes with visor clips for convenience.
Rating Summary
- Max gate weight: 3,000 lbs.
- Max gate length: 75 ft.
- Duty cycle: Continuous
2. HySecurity SlideSmart CNX 15 Slide Gate Opener
This automatic sliding gate opener should be on your radar if you want a product with top-of-the-line controls and communication technology.
Consider buying and installing this gate opener if your business premises needs continuous security monitoring and has a high traffic flow.
Equipped with a powerful brushless motor, direct gear drive, and an advanced digital control panel, you can be sure of extremely quiet and reliable operation for years to come.
It installs on a post or pad, and can keep your sliding gate working continuously on standard or extended batteries after AC power loss.
Rating Summary
- Max gate weight: 1,500 lbs.
- Max gate length: 50 ft
- Duty cycle: Continuous
3. Viking L3 Residential / Commercial Slide Gate Operator
The L-3 gate operator has the capacity to operate slide gates up to 1,600 lbs. and 60 ft. in length at 100% duty cycle under extreme conditions—perfect for regions with harsh weather conditions.
This efficient operator provides a solution for high-traffic residential and commercial slide gate applications. The Viking L-3 gate operator offers efficiency and technology combined in a single, powerful package.
It features a V-Flex control board with an onboard diagnostics LCD display and a removable power supply box for low-voltage wiring.
The new chassis design provides easy viewing of the controls and integrated post-mount provisions that allow it to be raised from the ground if desired.
Rating Summary
- Max gate weight: 1,600 lbs.
- Max gate length: 60 ft
- Duty cycle: 100%
Best Residential Automatic Sliding Gate Opener
1. LiftMaster 12VDC Slide Gate Operator RSL12UL
The LiftMaster 12VDC is rated for 120 cycles per day, making it a suitable automatic gate opener for residential and light commercial applications with low daily gate traffic.
It can support gates weighing up to 800 pounds and no more than 25 feet long.
The hard-wearing operator is manufactured from gold zinc-plated steel to prevent rust and features a worm gear reduction ratio of 15:1.
Although the operator is heavier—weighing 100 lbs.—installing and troubleshooting this automatic sliding gate opener is a breeze.
Its LED display guides installation and shows errors during everyday use.
And the best part? The gate operator is solar-ready, meaning you can purchase and install a solar panel to provide backup power.
Rating Summary
- Max gate weight: 800 lbs.
- Max gate length: 25 ft
- Duty cycle: 120 cycles per day
2. BFT Deimos BT A400 120V Slide Gate Operator Kit
This slide gate opener features a motor specifically built for intensive use, designed for opening and closing gates frequently throughout the day.
The BFT system guarantees the equipment's maximum safety and perfect functioning, regardless of the climate, temperature, and degree of mechanical wear.
Unlike some residential gate openers, the BFT control devices record the slightest variation in the gate or door force—for example, due to differences in temperature or wear, constantly supplying the optimum torque to the motor.
A conventional control unit could not detect these thrust variations, which would indicate the presence of nonexistent obstacles.
It features D-Track smart technology, which facilitates the installer in providing the certifications required by law.
Rating Summary
- Max gate weight: 800 lbs.
- Max gate length: 75 ft
- Duty cycle: Intensive
3. Viking K2 Residential Slide Gate Operator Kit
The K-2 gate operator has the capacity to operate slide gates up to 700 lbs. and 30 ft. in length at 100% duty cycle under extreme conditions.
This efficient operator provides a solution for high-traffic residential slide gate applications.
The Viking K-2 gate operator offers efficiency and technology combined in a single package.
The power supply features convenient fuse access and LED status indicators for incoming high voltage.
The K2 is the operator of choice for your residential slide gate due to its:
- Solar efficiency.
- Direct drive motor.
- Safety compliance.
Rating Summary
- Max gate weight: 700 lbs.
- Max gate length: 30 ft
- Duty cycle: 100%
Protect Your Property with an Automatic Sliding Gate Opener from All Security Equipment
While the sliding gate operators discussed above are some of the best-selling options, this is not an exhaustive list.
At All Security Equipment, we stock a massive range of automatic gate openers so that you can find a solution that suits your exact needs and property.
If you have or are considering swing gates, we can install a top-of-the-line swing gate opener for you, too.
We also offer all the accessories you need for your electric gate opener, like remote controls and keypads for your garage door opener for added residential security.
For additional information about the various automatic slide gate openers we have available, visit our website.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What power source do I need for operating a sliding gate opener?
The power source required for the gate opener will depend on the manufacturer's specifications for the model.
However, most automatic gate openers generally require an AC power source for operation.
How do I know how much weight a gate opener can carry?
The manufacturer of the automatic gate opener will specify the exact amount of weight the product can carry. The manufacturer will also stipulate the length of the gates it can support.
Where can I find more information on automatic gate openers?
We hope that this article provided you with all the necessary information to make an informed decision when purchasing a gate opener.
As always, we are here to help, so please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about these products.
