Many landowners and managers spend countless hours and dollars implementing various wildlife management techniques, supplemental food programs and other habitat management efforts but often overlook one very important component of their property: the entrance. Controlling access is a vital component in any land management plan that will have direct implications on its success.
For some landowners, the entrance to their property sets an impressive tone through custom wrought iron gates, while others opt for a simple, more economical version to avoid attracting attention to their property. Unfortunately, the society in which we live has evolved into a legal playing field that sometimes favors those actually doing wrong, placing the burden and risk on the landowner. A well-designed and properly installed gate will assist in reducing liability from these unwanted guests. This article will provide the landowner or manager additional information and ideas that may assist them enhancing the security of their property.
Gate Design
Each landowner has to contend with varying degrees of trespass on their property. Unfortunately, if individuals are dead-set on entering your property, it will be a more than difficult task in keeping them out. The selection of a robust style of gate will lessen this threat or slow them to the extent that law enforcement assistance will be more apt to apprehend these individuals. The style of gate should be selected to address the severity of this threat.
Some landowners prefer an elaborate gate design to adorn the entrance of their property. Many custom metal fabricators are available and offer services to design and install these structures. It is always wise to ask for references and locations of gates that have been completed to see the final product of that particular fabricator and talk with that client about their experiences with the fabricator. When viewing the reference gates, thoroughly inspect the gate and more importantly, the methodology of the installation assuring that particular company took the appropriate measures required to properly install the gate. Custom gates are typically heavier than the normal cattle gate and will require additional support to ensure that the gate will be secure and swing properly.
Many fabrication or welding shops typically have a basic gate design that they construct from medium schedule metal pipe. If a certain design is desired, most skilled welders can construct the gate from a rough drawing as long as the dimensions are specified. If trying to duplicate a gate, digital cameras are quite useful in illustrating the desired gate design. It is extremely helpful to the fabricator if a tape measure is visible in the digital images to assist the fabricator with scale. It is important that the gate receive an application of primer, at a minimum, to protect the gate from corrosion and extend its longevity.
Cattle gates represent an economical and easily attainable option for most landowners. These gates are usually constructed of thin-walled steel and painted with a rust-resistant paint or primer. This style gate is typically available at most Feed and Seed stores or Co-ops. These stores will usually have all of the necessary hardware required for mounting. They are available in varying schedules and thicknesses of pipe material, which will determine the robustness of the gate. On a general note, the thicker the gate material, the heavier and more expensive they become. This style of gate provides a very basic option for the landowner or manager.
There always seems to be that uncomfortable moment when one drives up to a gate and the occupants look at one another in decision of who will get out and perform gate duty. While most of the time, it will be the passenger’s responsibility, unless there has been a modern modification to the gate. Automatic gate openers have become quite affordable, providing an attractive modification, especially during times of inclement weather. Opening the gate can be performed using a pin pad mounted on a stand-alone control box or by a remote similar to a garage door opener.
Varying models provide either slide or swing opening actions, depending on the gate design and are reasonable in price. If the gate is located far from a power source, a solar power option may be required which is also reasonable in price. These units typically operate off a 12-volt battery source with the solar panel providing a constant trickle charge to sustain the battery. This unit would require a little maintenance in maintaining proper fluid levels within the battery but would provide an appealing modern convenience.
There is one historically and popular gate style that should be avoided. Cable gates have been installed at numerous properties throughout the nation using a variety of cable diameters and post attachment methods. The cable gate represents a high liability to the landowner, as many injuries or deaths have been documented from ATV or motorcycle impacts with this difficult to see gate. While most of these trespassers had no legal right to be on the property, the cable gate remains to represent a huge risk to the landowner. Unfortunately, many continue to use this style gate, due to their simplicity, low cost and ease of installation. In order to make them more visible, some have modified the design by sheathing the cable with a heavy schedule 2″ PVC and painting them bright visible colors to improve their appearance. One last word on cable gates, avoid them if possible.
Locking Design
Landowners and managers should avoid the practice of using chain to secure gates. The practice of allowing loggers, foresters and other legitimate contractors to cut a link out and insert their own lock should be avoided. Many times, after this practice is implemented, there will practically be more locks than links of chain remaining. The ownership of each lock will be difficult to ascertain, as well as the individuals that have access to your property.
The most effective multiple lock design prohibits individuals from incorporating their lock onto the gate without permission. These designs typically utilize a pin design that allows locks to be secured to portions of the pin or placed to prohibit the movement of the pin, thus securing the gate. Keep in mind that if the property intersects either natural gas or power-line right-of-ways, the proper utility company will require access for maintenance or emergencies. Their locks will typically be the brass variety and commonly be letter stamped with their name. If new gates are installed, it is good courtesy to inform these companies to allow them to get personnel on site to install their locks.
It is beneficial to select one of these gate designs that only allows sufficient lock movement to unlock the lock but not to the point where one could get bolt cutters around the hasp. Many gates incorporate a shroud or metal sideplates that make it difficult to access with bolt cutters and to protect the lock from adverse elements, including bullets. Just be cautious when opening the shroud-style gate due to the housing preference of many species of wasps. A liberal application of petroleum jelly or heavy grease to the internal ceiling of this section will reduce this problem. Avoid getting these substances around the locking area that has to be handled because it can cause quite a mess.
Dimensions and Considerations
The width of the gate is a critical dimension to consider when designing and installing an entrance gate. Various land management practices require the use of heavy transport trucks, log trucks and other heavy equipment, which are usually rather wide. Typically, an inside dimension of at least 14′ should be adequate for most equipment. When having heavy equipment contractors in your property, it is always a wise practice to include language in the work contract of repairing to original state or replacement of gates damaged during the contracted operation.
The location of the gate should also be carefully considered. Large semi-trucks have difficulty navigating tight turns, which also impedes the driver’s visibility resulting in damaged gates or gate posts. Place gates in areas that, for the most part, are straight and away from any tight turns to avoid this scenario. In addition, place gates far enough off the road to allow a low-boy rig (diesel semi truck with trailer) ample space to get completely off the highway to avoid accidental collisions while the driver unlocks/locks the gate.
Gate Installation
Utilizing a skid-steer loader or tractor PTO driven auger will provide a great asset in establishing deep placement of the gate support posts. A minimum of three feet should be calculated in the post design to be placed below ground level to establish a stable gate. Post hole diggers or a sharpshooter shovel can be used to dig the base of the hole into an urn shape to allow additional concrete to form at the base of the post for additional support. At a minimum, there should be room for at least two 80 lb. bags of pre-mixed concrete. This may sound like a lot, and it is, but it will assist in establishing a sturdy gate that will resist tampering. When setting the gate, it is best to perform this with the gate in a closed position and locked to assure that the gate posts are aligned correctly. Using a level to assure the posts are plumb will ensure a level swing to the gate. Avoid using the gate overnight, if possible, to allow sufficient time for concrete to thoroughly cure. Incorporating turnbuckles on the gate posts to connect to adjacent posts can assist in fine-tuning the gate to swing properly.
Installing a custom wrought iron gate can be a more involved process and it would be beneficial to get a little advice from an architect or engineer. Although this may sound a little over the edge, this is money well spent considering the cost of a custom fabricated gate. Custom gates can weigh substantially more than the common pipe gate requiring extra support and stability at the mounting posts. Many utilize poured concrete posts that have footings incorporated into the design that is accomplished in one continuous pour, which increases the strength and stability of the post. Only the mounting locations, where the gate attaches and swings, will be protruding through the concrete. Utilizing cultured or native stone to veneer the concrete posts can lessen the visual impact of the concrete and assist in blending the posts into the native surroundings. Although a lot of work in the collection process, using native stone from the property can have quite attractive results. This style gate can get costly but can create an impressive entrance to the property. While these entrances are impressive in their own right, it is important to remember that these showy gates will attract attention to your property, possibly from the wrong crowd, leading them to wonder what’s behind those gates!
If the gate style is a single pipe, it is recommended to set the height of the main bar to prevent the access of ATV’s or motorcycles in traveling under the gate. Also, additional posts should be set at the sides of the gate in locations that will prohibit ATV’s or other vehicles from circumventing the gate. Many times, ATV’s will meander through the woods to travel around the gate to gain access into the property. If this becomes a problem and the landowner has granted permission, select trees can be cut and felled so that they intertwine which will create a formidable barrier making access difficult for these individuals.
Locks
Locks play a vital role in the secureness of any gate. While a $30 lock may seem expensive, it protects your property from unwanted visitors and their associated liability. One should not go through the effort to install a well-designed gate and then use a sub-standard lock. Locks, like gates, come in countless designs and costs. The quality and weather resistance will typically have a direct relationship to their costs.
Avoid regular laminated locks that do not specify as being weather-resistant. Locks using solid one-piece brass bodies seem to exhibit the best weather-resistance and durability, that’s what utility companies have used for years. Also, confirm that the lock is constructed with internal bearings and tumblers of brass for additional weather-resistance. In addition, lock shackles or hasps of boron alloy will be much harder than hardened steel and will be the most cut resistant. Although the locks are labeled weather-resistant, an occasional application of a lubricant that also has water displacement spray properties, such as Rem-Oil (it works for locks as well as firearms) will assist in proper lock operation. These high-quality locks usually must be acquired at commercial lock dealers or locksmiths.
Summary
The selection of the gate to be implemented on a property will be an item that typically endures many years of use. Many times, I have been the unfortunate soul stuck in the passenger seat and endured many unpleasant gate opening experiences such as red wasps erupting from a gate shroud in the unlocking process, gates that had to lifted and carried to get opened and closed and the ones that seemed to require the stretch of the chain to get the gate locked. While these situations do indeed add character to a property, it’s a character that most can live without. When selecting a gate for your property, a properly operating gate will assist in protecting your tract as well as making these tract visits a much more enjoyable experience.