Short answer to the titular question: Yes.

The longer, more accurate answer: Yes, but there are some limitations.

Sorry we couldn’t keep it simple, but you’ll

[maybe] thanks us at the end of this article.

Manual Swing Gates

If you already have a single swing gate or a double swing gate, there are a few things you’ll want to think through.

Swing Gate Posts

The first is to take a good hard look (or a cursory look, if you prefer) at the type and strength of the post(s) that flank each side of your gate. If the posts are wood, they will need to be replaced before you can have your gate automated.

If there are no visible posts and the gates are hung off of masonry columns, we’ve now got a more complicated issue since automation with the existing columns may not be possible.

Here’s more on that:

 

  • If the gates are simply bolted to the columns, they will need to be removed and hung off of heavy duty steel posts.
  • If they are hung off of a steel plate or a steel posts that are embedded into the masonry column, then you will probably be okay, although you may be limited to using a specific type of gate operator (if you’re interested in the detail, this would be a pad mount swing gate operator). Of course if the posts are heavy duty steel and are set in a good amount of concrete, then you’re golden and you can proceed with automation.

 

The Hinges That Hold Things Together

With existing manual swing gates, it is very common that the hinges that attach from the posts to the gate will need to be replaced–usually this is a fairly straight-forward process.

The Gate Part of the Swing Gate

You didn’t think we’d stop our list of limitations after only a few paragraphs did you? We’ve got a few more paragraphs to go. Those that follow are on the limitations that stem from the type of gate you currently have installed and how that affects your ability to automate your gate.

Wood Swing Gates

As lovely as they are, most wood frame gates cannot be properly automated. But, like almost everything else we’ve so far discussed, there are a few exceptions here as well.

Heavy-duty, thick hardwood gates count among these exceptions. Your typical flexible, thin wood gate is not a candidate for automation.

If you really love your existing wood gate, one option is to have an automated gate contractor build a steel frame and mount your existing wood gate to that frame. This can help you maintain that rustic or natural look that you enjoy, yet give you a gate this is strong enough to withstand the rigors of being opened and closed by a gate opener.

Chain Link Swing Gates

If a chain link gate is what you’ve got, well you’re in luck–many chain link gates can be automated without needing many improvements.

Oh but here we go with the exceptions again: Some exceptions to the above are gates that are built with thin material, and exhibit excessive sagging and flexing. Chain link is not very expensive to replace and, in if you’re dealing with a sagging or thin gate, replacement is the best option. Also, oftentimes, additional steel will need to be welded to the gate to provide an attachment point for the gate operator.

Steel Frame Swing Gates

Most, if not all, steel frame gates can be automated, and typically with little alterations necessary.

Manual Slide Gates

Manual slide gates are a different matter entirely.

The Length of Your Slide Gate

Most existing manual slide gates require extensive improvements in order to be automated. Typically, your gate needs to be 3’ longer than the opening that it slides across in order to accommodate the installation of a slide gate operator. This means that, often, a 2 foot to 3 foot extension needs to be added to the trailing edge of the gate in order to provide a place for the gate operator chain brackets to attach to.

Rolling Along — Slide Gate Wheels

Another area that usually requires a check-up is the rolling hardware. If your gate has rubber wheels and rolls across the driveway, a ground “V”-track will need to be installed, and a “V”-track wheel will be installed to replace one of the rubber wheels. In fact, the entire wheel carriage may need to be replaced depending on the structure of the wheel carriage. And beyond that, the rear guide wheels may need to be altered.

To take it one step further, depending on how the gate is built, ground track may need to be installed, or new pipe track may need to be installed.

Phew. That was a lot to digest. Our point with the encyclopedic wheel info isn’t to send your head spinning with information overload. Truth is, it doesn’t matter too much if you remember exactly under what conditions you might need a “V”-track wheel or altered guide wheels. What’s most important is that you feel informed and not taken aback should your gate installer suggests a number of modifications to your existing slide gate before it can be automated.

Summing it Up

Now with all the exceptions and limitations you’ve just read above, the good news is that, most of the time, your existing gate can be re-used with just a few tweaks to make it automation-ready.

Of course a professional gate installer can walk you through exactly how to get your gate ready for the transformation.