Cantilever Gates – No sweeping concerns

Cantilever gates are the most popular choice for automated gates.  A cantilever gate is suspended above the ground thus there is no concerns regarding terrain, road conditions or adverse weather.  The gates upper and lower guide wheels guide the gate through the opening.  Unlike the sweeping effects of swing gates, cantilever gates slide back and forth.  Thus concerns over moderate levels of snow fall are not an issue for cantilever gates.  

Cantilever gates’ Achilles’ heel is changing elevations.  A cantilever gate is supported by two support posts on the storage side of the opening.  The two support posts support the rollers or trucks to support the gate. The posts are spaced approximately half the distance of the opening apart from one another.  So, if you have a 20’ opening, the posts are 10’ apart.  The elevation at these posts must be the highest elevation along the entire travel of the gate.  Whether automated or manual, cantilever gates must be installed level to avoid creating the possibility of harm to others or damage to vehicles.  This is a good practice and in accordance with UL 325 and ASTM 2200.  This being the case, A cantilever gate cannot be adjusted to changing elevations.  If the elevation falls through the opening; there may be a considerable gap under the gate.  If the elevation along the travel of the gate rises higher than at the support posts’ elevation; the gate may bottom-out while traveling open or closed.

Cantilever gates are excellent for storage issues.  The gate takes-up very little space as it stores up against an adjoining fence line.  Unlike a swing gate where you must keep the entire area clear where the gate sweeps open or closed; a cantilever gate has a very small foot print.  A cantilever gate is usually one and a half the distance of the opening.  So, if you have a 20’ opening; your gate is 30’ overall.  You must account for this space along the fence line where the gate stores.

There are two types of cantilever gates.  Steel cantilever gates that use an all steel frame where the top and bottom horizontal frame members are also the track for the gate.  The gate is pinched between two bottom and top rollers.  Roller covers must be installed to protect others in accordance with UL 325 and ASTM 2200.  Aluminum cantilever gates use an aluminum frame with an extruded track at the top.  Trucks or trolleys are installed so that these run inside this track to support the gate from the support posts.  At the bottom there are guide wheels that keep the gate plumb and centered.  Steel cantilever gates are very reliable and economic.  Aluminum cantilever gates are definitely lighter and a great platform for an ornamental look.  The enclosed track system is a smoother operation during snow and ice storms.

America’s Gate manufactures hundreds of cantilever gates every year.  Most of these are automated.  In today’s high security environments, there are automated systems that will move these gates at anywhere from 2’ to 11’ per second.  Imagine closing a 30’ opening in under three seconds.  Most automated cantilever gates move at 1’ per second.  A much safer speed.  Cantilever gates are a perfect choice estate entrances, manufacturing facilities, and high security applications.