DIY Doctor UK DIY Forums

Hi all,
I would like to fit automatic gate openers to my swing gates. However there is a block wall either side to which my gates are hinged and I have been told, by various gate automation manufacturers, that the only way that I can install such openers is to cut channels into the block walls for the opening arms to recess into when the gates are opened.
Here's the question, how complicated would it be to do this? I know that the actual cutting with an angle grinder and cleaning out with a hammer and chisel would be easy enough but compromising the structure of the wall is my concern.
The walls are constructed of concrete blocks and are built and abutted to black built gate posts. On one side there would be about a foot of wall above the necessary channel and on the other side about six feet of wall above it.
The channels would need to be about two feet long and about six inches high and go in at least half the depth of the blocks.
Any advice or ideas would be much appreciated.
I have thought that maybe I could have a heavy duty iron box constructed that I could insert into the channel after cutting it out to act as a support for the block work above the channel.
Regards.

Hi pablito,
From your description it sounds like the gate hinges are centrally mounted in the posts/walls. Suggest you resite the hinges so that the operating mechanism will be outside the wall. Cutting a channel you describe in a 6ft wall is a recipe for a disaster.
Regards S

Hi Stoneyboy.
Thanks for your response.
My gates are hinged onto metal posts attached to block pillars. The hinges are on the inside edges of the metal gate posts.
I have considered fitting the automatic opening arms on the outside of the gates to push them open onwards. I've contacted several manufacturers about this and they all advise me against it and tell me that it would void the guarantee of the mechanism.
Do you think that my idea of having a heavy duty steel box made up and inserted into a channel cut into the wall has any validity?
Thanks again.
Pablito

Hi pablito,
It is difficult to envisage the proposed geometric arrangement of the gates, steel piers, block wall and the gate operator. Once the gates are partly open the operator will be pulling sideways to the wall. Your proposal to build in a steel box may well work but you will be introducing a material with a different expansion rate. If the wall has been built with a strong concrete mortar mix you may get away with just cutting the channel - the decision is yours.
Regards S

Hi Stoneyboy,
Thanks again for your input.
After further thoughts I have decided to go with the option of fitting the operating arms of the gate opener on the outside of the gates to push them onward.
Not the ideal but a better option than possibly compromising the structure of the wall.
Thanks again for taking the time to respond to my question.
Regards, Pablito

Hi pablito,
Thanks for the update, hope it all works out OK.
Regards S