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If you have pets and small kids at risk of wandering, ensuring the gate is always closed is necessary. Unfortunately, we cannot always remember to shut the gate behind us. An open gate is also tempting to thieves and persons with ill motives.
To prevent incidents and accidents, prevention is key. And this is where the gate self closer becomes an essential device to ensure that entrances and exits remain closed.
A gate self closer is a kind of gate hardware attached to the gate, usually a hinge that closes it without or with lesser manual intervention. That said, even if your hands are full, it will only require a little effort to get it to shut. They are most useful in garden gates and pedestrian gates.
Types of Gate Closers
Gate self closers are divided into two main types: controlled and uncontrolled.
Uncontrolled Gate Self Closer
The uncontrolled gate self closer is the traditional gate closer made of a spring chain attached to the gate and the gate post. It does not have any dampening effect, which means it will quickly shut the door every time. Uncontrolled gate closers are mostly used in internal doors, pedestrian gates, pool gates and mezzanine barrier gates.
Uncontrolled gate self closers can be added to existing gates without changing them. They are further divided as:
Spring Gate Closer
A spring is attached to the gate opening angle and the back of the gate post. The spring stretches out when you open the gate and returns to its original position when you let go. Spring-loaded gate closer is commonly used in chain link gates and pedestrian gates in addition to hinges.
Gravity Closer
It employs gravity using heavy objects or steel balls. When you open the door, the heavy object rises; when you let it go, it falls, causing the gate to shut.
Although they effectively keep the gate shut, uncontrolled gate self closers are hounded with safety issues. Since its closing is basically beyond control, it can shut close and create injury, especially in little children.
Controlled Gate Closers
Controlled gate self closers have a softening effect that slows down the closing time. It does not slam the gate shut instantly, which buys you some time before it fully closes. Controlled gate closers are a safer option than uncontrolled closers. Its slow speed prevents the gate from ramming into someone.
Controlled gate closers prevent accidents if you live with older adults and children. These gate closers can be installed on different types of gates like picket, timber, and metal gates.
Controlled gate closers operate in two main mechanisms:
Hydraulic Gate Closers or APS
The hydraulic gate closer or APS (Air Pressure System) has adjustable closing and latching speeds. Technically, the hydraulics operate the dampened close without any power needed.
It uses pressurized oil within a spring-loaded mechanism to control the gate closing speed. The APS is welded in the gate bottom, serving as a load-bearing weight for the lower hinge.
Gas Strut Closer or GSB
A gas strut bracket gate closer works similarly to an APS. However, it uses compressed gas instead of pressurized oil to slow the closing down. It can be retrofitted using simple brackets using screws instead of welding into a door or gate. GSB comes in slim designs for an unobtrusive look over the door. A gas strut is used in small pedestrian gates, playgrounds and pool gates.
Automatic Gate Self Closer
In an automatic gate setup, the gate opener and gate closer are integrated into one convenient system. The automatic gate closers use gate operators and power sources to function. These types of gate self closers are common in driveway gates. But smaller motors are also ideal for smaller side and pedestrian gates.
Gate openers have different mechanisms of operation for slide gates and swing gates.
In a slide gate, the gate opener moves it sideways as the motor rotates a cog attached to it. It needs a strong and heavy duty gate operator to do the job. The motor is scalable to the gate width and weight to carry on its function.
In a swing gate, the gate opener pivots on its hinges to open and close its leaves. A moving arm is attached to the gate, and a fixed motor allows it to move and pivot. The swing gate openers are available as:
- Ram gate opener
- Articulated arm gate opener
- Linear actuators
- Hydraulic operators
- Underground gate opener
Choosing the Best Gate Self Closer
Choosing a gate self closer is a personal choice. You can select it based on the size of the gate or door, the gate usage, gate type and location. Take the All-O-Matic Swing Gate Pad Mount Operator, for example. Its brushless motor can handle swing gates up to 2,000 lbs and 22 ft wide.
If you dislike complex installations or boring holes into the gate, use the age-old spring-loaded gate self closer. The mechanical and controlled gate closers are a practical choice for safety.
It also saves you money because it requires less welding. They are also unbothered by power outages and temperature changes and hardly pose improper operation malfunctions.
Automatic self closing gates are the most convenient for remote and easy access. You can rig these gate closers in an electronic system and use access controllers to operate them.
Automatic gates connected to smartphone apps can be closed or opened automatically wherever the user may be. They may have pre-set closing speed options to allow you to control how slow the gates can go.
Shop at All Equipment Security!
Do not compromise your family and home safety over a forgotten open gate. Make it a habit to kick it shut or employ extra hands like a reliable and heavy duty gate self closer.
If you are scouting for the right materials, visit All Security Equipment for a range of products. All Security brings you all types of gate self closer kits in different mechanisms of action. All Security offers all the best deals for springs, self-closing hinges, gate openers, hydraulic systems, and motors.
Feel free to contact our customer service for all your door and gate needs. We have different gate accessories and gate hardware, like a gate stop, to reinforce the safety feature of the gate self closer.
