Start by choosing an operator to match your gate width and function (residential, commercial or industrial). Ok! Armed with all this information you need to pop back up the page to our chart and choose a few operators to compare. It is however fair to say that price will be an indication of the quality of build of the motor. Some of our lowest priced operators have been our best performers time and time again. PRICE - I wish we could tell you you can be guided by price but it simply isn't so.Low voltage can also be equipped with battery backup which is much more difficult with 240 volt systems. You can also a low voltage motor will run cooler and therefore have a higher duty cycle rating than a 240 volt motor. LOW VOLTAGE VERSUS HIGH VOLTAGE - Put simply you can expect to pay more for a low voltage (12 or 24 volt) motor than a comparable high voltage (240 volt) motor.So make a mental note of whether your duty cycle may be considered low, medium or high.

In general terms a 'commercial' motor will be more suited to higher duty cycles. Some operators are designed to work all day long whilst others like a more laid back lifestyle and prefer a home with lazy usage. If however the gate/s performed 25 operations for half an hour in the morning and the other 25 during a half hour period in the afternoon then this would be considered medium to high duty cycle. NUMBER OF DAILY OPERATIONS OR 'DUTY CYCLE' - In general terms we consider even 50 operations a day to be a small number assuming that the 50 operations were spread evenly over an eight hour period.Note down your wind resistance level - 'low', 'moderate', or 'high'. Note that even an open design gate of large dimensions (above 2.5metres in width) in a windy environment will provide at least a 'moderate' resistance. EG: Wind resistance of a fully enclosed gate of 3.5 metres width in a coastal environment would be considered 'high' whereas a well protected site and an open design gate of the same size may be considered 'low'. You need to consider your wind resistance taking into account site conditions and size.

A gate with 25mm vertical uprights at 150mm centre's as it's main centre infill will have a smaller wind resistance than a gate with a totally enclosed centre infill of say timber or colorbond.

GATE CONSTRUCTION AND WIND RESISTANCE - Your main point to consider here is the style of gate/s.

So note down your gate/s width as your first point of reference. At this point we assume that you have a good set of hinges or you will be choosing a good set of hinges (the right hinges is almost more critical than the motor choice). Although weight is a consideration the width of a swing gate has a far greater bearing on choice than weight.

WIDTH OF THE GATE/S - Obvious we know but this is the starting point.

Below are factors that you should consider when making your choice. So we can help you choose the right automatic opener for your gate please select the unit you think suits best from the drop down below the product table and click 'Enquire Now'.There are many factors that together will combine to help you choose the right operator for your gate or gates. Watch the video below the product table.Īll units are 12V battery powered (supplied separate) and can be charged via mains power or by using the 10W Solar Charging Kit. Southern Wire offers phone assistance for installation as well as lifetime product support. They are amongst the most popular in the world due to their reliability and easy DIY installation. Southern Wire distributes and supports the Mighty Mule range of automatic gate openers in Australia and New Zealand. If you are tired of getting out of your vehicle to open a gate, you have come to the right place to put those days behind you!

Automatic gate openers