Automating a Five-Bar Gate

Five-bar gates are everywhere in the countryside – on farm lanes, yard entrances and country driveways. Getting out of the tractor, the jeep or the car to open and close them, in all weathers, gets old fast. Automating them is very doable.

Timber or metal?

• Timber five-bar gates need to be strong and well braced, with good hinges. Light, cheap timber gates often twist once a motor's fitted.
• Galvanised steel field gates are lighter and stay straight, so they automate well – but they're flexible, so the motor needs to be fixed in the right place on the gate.

The usual setup

• An overground motor on each gate (from £1,800 for a pair, depending on size).
• Strong posts – timber or steel, set firmly. Old, rotten or leaning posts are the most common thing I need to sort first.
• A gate stop so the gate closes in the same place each time.
• Safety devices to suit – photocells across the opening and, where needed, safety edges.

Power on farms and rural lanes

Field gates are often a long way from a power supply. Options include:

• A cable from the house or yard – the most reliable, but longer runs mean bigger cables and more trenching
• Solar power with a battery – works for light, low-use gates; needs sizing carefully for our winters

See power supply for electric gates.

Opening options for farms

• Remotes in each vehicle
• GSM "call to open" – ring the gate from an authorised phone
• A vehicle loop so the gate opens as you approach from inside
• A keypad for contractors and visitors

Livestock and safety

Think about animals as well as people. A gate closing on stock, or opening and letting them out, is a real risk. Photocells, timers and settings can be chosen to suit, and I'll go through it with you.

Call, text or WhatsApp Adrian on 07855 781433 – a photo of the gate, hinges and posts helps.

Questions people ask me