Sliding Gate Wheels vs Cantilever Gate Rollers

A slide opener is an indispensable security feature permitting easy access to a property. However, many confuse its mechanism with cantilever gates. While cantilever gates are an example of a slide gate, not all gates that slide are considered cantilever. The main difference is the presence of the sliding gate wheels.

Regardless of what you opt to have, All Security Equipment has slide openers and related accessories such as gate wheels, guide rollers, and other gate hardware. But first, get to know which best suits your needs.

Sliding Gate Wheels

An automated driveway gate can be operated by a sliding gate opener. These gate operators use remote controls and other access credentials to command the gate on what to do.

A sliding gate wheel is gate hardware necessary for the smooth movement of a sliding gate. The wheel, also called a gate roller, moves along the sliding gate track to open or close the gate.

Technically, the wheel is attached to the gate frame while the track is on the ground. The wheels move along the track when the sliding gate operator tells it to open or close. Due to the lesser friction between the wheel and the track, there is minimal wear and tear.

Types of Sliding Gate Wheels

The type of sliding gate wheels installed on your gate greatly impacts its performance and longevity. Gate wheels should be durable and strong enough to carry the weight of the gate. Otherwise, it’ll result in malfunction or breakage in the long run.

V-Groove Wheels

The most common choice for sliding gates, v-groove wheels provide exemplary balance and stability and optimize the functions of a slide gate. A v-groove wheel only fits a track that also has a v-shaped groove.

V-groove wheels are often used in heavy-duty sliding gates due to the less friction created by their design. You can also choose v-groove wheels with a bracket for additional external support to increase the wheel’s load-bearing capacity and make it more stable.

U-Groove Wheels

U-groove wheels have a U-shaped groove and only work on a similar gate track. This type of wheel is suitable for light gates and is commonly found in residential homes. This sliding gate hardware is easy to install and affordable compared to its v-groove counterpart.

Double Wheels

Sliding gate systems that utilize the double wheels offer more support to the gate. The design has two wheels attached to a single bracket, which ensures equal weight distribution and stabilizes the gate better than the other gate wheel types.

The double sliding gate wheels are best used for wider and heavier gates to prevent sagging while maintaining an unhampered operation.

Double Bearing Sliding Gate Wheels

Double-bearing sliding gate rollers are used for gates weighing more than one ton. Its dual-bearing design allows the load to be evenly distributed, which reduces friction and resistance. Often used in industrial heavy gates, this type of sliding gate wheels makes the opening and closing of the gate more convenient to employees.

Cantilever Gate Rollers

Cantilever gate rollers are a type of sliding gate wheel. What makes it different from the other types, however, is the fact that it does not require a ground track. Only gates with a cantilever system can use these specific gate wheels by using an overhead pulley system to lift and operate the gate.

The system relies on the arms or brackets mounted on top of the wall or gate post, which holds the gate using hinges or pivot joints. When a gate opener tells it to open, the brackets lift the gate to grant entry. The gate remains suspended in the air until it closes.

Cantilever gates are quite practical in places where having on-ground wheels becomes problematic, such as in snow-prone areas. They are also used on rough surfaces and uneven terrains where traditional sliding gate wheels are unlikely to last.

Sliding Gate Wheels vs Cantilever Gate Rollers

Sliding gates are a common choice for both home and business owners alike. This gate system is cost-effective and requires little space, unlike its swing gate counterpart. However, many are confused between having sliding gate wheels or cantilever gate rollers.

Knowing the difference between a cantilever gate wheel and a sliding gate wheel allows you to understand the mechanism of these gates better. With such understanding, you will be able to weigh the pros and cons before installing one.

Sliding Gates

Pros:

• Space saver
• Efficient costing
• Easy to install
• Best for sloping driveways
• No gaps between the gate and the ground

Cons:

• Ground modification may be needed to accommodate track
• Noisy operation due to friction

Cantilever Gate

Pros:

• More durable
• Easy maintenance
• Suitable for all surfaces
• Offers enhanced security
• No need to change the driveway when installing
• Best for any environmental condition

Cons:

• Takes up too much space
• Quite heavy to install
• More costly

All Security Equipment for Your Gate Needs

Sliding gates don’t last if you don’t maintain them well. Always clean the track of sliding gate wheels to remove any dirt and debris. As for cantilever rollers, annual lubrication may be needed to maintain optimal function.

You should consider the gate’s weight, track type, and terrain when choosing the right wheels for your sliding gate. You must also get the wheels and other accessories for your gate opener from a reliable seller, such as All Security Equipment.

At All Security Equipment, we guarantee the authenticity of our products. We offer a wide range of items, from slide to swing gate operators, gate accessories, loop detectors, and other security-related items.

Feel free to contact us with any questions about our catalog. Our team of experts is always ready to assist you.