Replies

1. 
   Guest_ | May 29, 1999 05:59pm | #1

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   What's worked well for us was an antique commercial door closer. The working parts consist of a spring and a leak down hydraulic valve. Very simple. You can pick them up for a few bucks at the salvage yards and mount them low on the gate...they don't look so bad and are easy to adjust. Just a thought.

2. 
   William_Ferguson | May 29, 1999 07:51pm | #2

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   Hi, Mr. Marrah:

   When we visited the Warm Springs, Georgia "Little White House," where President Franklin D. Roosevelt went for therapy and relaxation, we notice a wooden gate which he used.

   A driver approached the gate very slowly and nudged it with the car's front bumper.

   Somehow this caused the gate to swing open.

   When the car had passed through, the gate swung slowly shut again.

   Maybe they have a website?

   Maybe they'd give you a photo or plans?

   If you pursue this, please let me know if you turn up any plans.

   Cordially,

   William Ferguson
   Flagler Beach, FL

3. 
   Guest_ | May 31, 1999 10:55pm | #3

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   I suspect electricity in this one...

1. 
   Guest_ | Jun 02, 1999 07:35am | #4

   *We had a couple of gates for our horse pastures that closed "automatically." All we did was mount the hinges slightly out of plane. The bottom hinge was mounted out of plane toward the direction that the gate swung open.Essentially, this results in the gate swinging "up" as it opens. Gravity will close it. Ensure it doesn't open past 90 degrees.The wider the gate, the less the hinges have to be out of plane. Worked well for us, not sure if it suits your application, but another idea into the fray.

4. 
   John_Grimes | Jun 04, 1999 06:33am | #5

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   If you are looking for a simple person gate, in contrast to a vehicle or livestock gate, then the old colonial style gates (like at Williamsburg, VA) are just the ticket. On the side of the gate away from the hinges put an extra post 3' or so away from the hinge post (the gate will swing away from this post). Connect a chain about 1/3 of the width of the gate from the hinge post to the top horizontal part of the gate and the other end of the chain is connected to the extra post. Now hang a weight (they used round weights like cannon balls) to the chain. When you go through the gate this raises the cannon ball and when you let go of the gate, the wieght of the cannon ball pulls the gate shut. You'll need to mess around with the connection of the chain ends and where the best place to attach the "cannon ball".

5. 
   P._Marrah | Jun 05, 1999 03:10am | #6

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   Does anyone have plans for a wooden gate opener/closer which operates with weights and counter weights. It consists of a tall center post and two arms, set in the shape of a "Y". These gate openers were in use in the midwest many years ago and seemed to work well. Appreciate any help. Thanks.

6. 
   Guest_ | Jun 05, 1999 03:10am | #7

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   Yes, I have a plan very similar to what you
   describe. It uses 18' 2x4's connected to a rod
   in a pivot type set-up mounted on posts you pull
   a rope to open,drive-thru pull the rope on the
   other side to close.

   The plan is in a midwest plan service book,title
   is "horse handbook" mwps 15

   One place the book is available is at http://www.hoards.com for $7.00 I am sure their are others.

   Hope this helps.