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Don’t you hate it every time you have to get out of your car to open the gate, then get back in and drive through before getting out again to close it behind you?
If you are like most of us, it’s safe to say it’s not a task you look forward to.
And that’s where automated entrances come in: they get around the need to hire gate-manning personnel, offering a cost-effective solution that allows you to sit in your car, all the way to your door. In the spirit of tackling one of life’s most repetitive and mundane chores, we’ll be delving into the bump gate opener to uncover its mechanism and why it’s a better choice than most of its alternatives. Here goes:
Bump gate mechanism
The device goes with any gate, so you don’t need to think about replacing an existing one, but it’s most suited to the pipe rail variety. The gate opener kit can easily be attached to the gate in question to ensure passage from both directions. It consists of a pair of soft but heavy-duty bump arms that go on both sides, gate stoppers, a holding latch to keep the gate open for a while until your car is safely through, and a set of hinges and locks for reinforcement.
Installation is a simple DIY affair that you can complete with ease and without professional help. As a general rule of thumb for placing the catch-and-release latch, choose the second or third rail for attachment to heavy and light-duty gates, respectively.
Working
Once installation is complete, your gate is ready to use from either side. You can open it by slowly driving up to the bump arm until your car’s bumper is pressed firmly against it, before accelerating slightly to swing it open.
The gate will hit against a holding latch, which will keep it in place for a specific duration depending on your settings (it can hold it for up to for 45 seconds), before returning to its resting place. Its return momentum and the stopper ensure it fits tightly back into place, hence sealing shut so that no animals can push it open.
A sophisticated system of mounted cables and elevated crossbars make two-way operation possible. Cylinders take the place of traditional hinges, triggering a swivel action that raises the gate slightly, no matter the direction of opening. Once released by the latch, gravity takes care of the rest, like a ball thrown into the air.
The upsides of a bump gate
A bump gate has many advantages. It incurs no utility bills since it purely relies on mechanical effort, has little maintenance requirements than your typical automatic gate, can withstand harsh elements with excellent immunity, and is consistently reliable for years on end.
Plus, installation is so simple that you can do it yourself simply with instructions from an on-website manual without breaking a sweat! As far as affordable automatic gates go, it’s certainly among the best in the market from a holistic perspective. It is entirely automated, robust and pocket-friendly!
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2019-11-19 12:01:57
Karl Hoffman is a distinguished agriculturalist with over four decades of experience in sustainable farming practices. He holds a Ph.D. in Agronomy from Cornell University and has made significant contributions as a professor at Iowa State University. Hoffman’s groundbreaking research on integrated pest management and soil health has revolutionized modern agriculture. As a respected farm journalist, his column “Field Notes with Karl Hoffman” and his blog “The Modern Farmer” provide insightful, practical advice to a global audience. Hoffman’s work with the USDA and the United Nations FAO has enhanced food security worldwide. His awards include the USDA’s Distinguished Service Award and the World Food Prize, reflecting his profound impact on agriculture and sustainability.
