Gates and Passageways

General Requirements

A dictionary definition of a gate is “an opening into an enclosure”. A gate is required to allow movement across a fence line that has been erected to stop such movement. A gate may regulate movement of:

• machinery and livestock - typical hinged sections of fence

• livestock only - corral handling, sorting and separation of livestock

• people only - various stiles or passageways

• water only - various floodgates

An effective gate must allow passage while having the following features:

• convenient and effective location

• wide enough (to allow passage of equipment)

• high enough (usually as high as the fence)

• if hinged, free from obstacles to open fully

• if latched, convenient yet stock proof from accidental opening

• durable

• cost effective

Generally, the more often a gate is used the better quality it should be. Gates may be constructed of metal, wire, wood or combinations of these materials. They may be electrified in the case of electric fences. They may be hinged or ‘slip-wire’, hand latched or automatically latched. They may have adjustable mounting for deep snow locations. These and other options are covered in the following discussions.

Locating Gates

Roads, pathways, streams or other reasons may determine gate location with little choice available. In these cases, choose a suitable design from the following layouts.

However, if the gate location is not certain, consider the following:

Livestock generally will move easier through a gate located at or near a fence corner rather than one placed along the fence.

The movement of machinery will require a safe distance of straight road on either side of the gate. If a turn is required, the gate may have to be made wider than standard.

Gates on boundary fence lines on busy roads should be set back from the fence line a distance sufficient to allow vehicles a safe pull off distance prior to reaching the gate, as in Figure 1, below. This distance should accommodate the longest truck or tractor/implement combination on the farm.

Gate Hinges

Gate hinges vary from homemade to purchased. The bottom of the gate hinge post may simply be pinned into a base of wood, rock or concrete with the upper end boxed into the fence post. Or the gate may be hung on a suitable fence end post with steel hinges. Hinge choice depends to a large extent on the weight of the gate. All- wood gates are more difficult to support than lighter steel, wire or aluminum gates. See Figure 5 for estimated weights of typical wood gates.

If a gate is to swing 180° back onto the fence, the hinge must be located offset to that side of the hinge post as shown in Figure 2. The gate however will not open as wide in the reverse direction.

As well as hinge design, the fence post will be affected by the weight of the gate. If standard fence end posts are used, gate weight must be limited. A larger post set deeper with additional bracing will be required for heavy gates. Standard fence brace end posts should be supported by using a second brace wire. Over-length end posts can be supported using a cross support or a diagonal pole down to a fence line post. Some gate mounting and hinge options are shown in Figure 3.

Gate Latches

There are as many latch designs used as there are gates on farms. In many cases they are home-built of materials at hand. Successful latches are convenient to use, retain the gate in position and, where required, are livestock proof. Examples are shown in Figure 4, below.

STANDARD GATES

Wood Gates

Very simple all wood gates are possible on some fences. A panel of a wood rail fence can be built so the rails slide away for access, as shown in Figure 5. Or a snake rail fence can be crossed by simply opening up panels and re-closing after passing. Neither of these would be as convenient as a hinged gate.

Some common wood hinged gates are shown in Figure 5, below. These designs use either round rails or sawn boards and are often seen in cattle handling facilities or corrals.

Wire Gates

Many farm gates are constructed using the same wire as used for the fence, i.e., barbed wire gates in barbed wire fences, woven wire in woven wire fences, etc. Very simple, strand wire gates have no frame, only wire and a few wooden uprights. These “slip-wire” gates are low cost but tangle very easy and should only be selected for infrequently used gates.

More substantial wire gates have frames of wood or steel that are used to support the wire and are hung on posts similar to wood gates. Because these wire gates are lighter than all wood gates they are often preferred for long spans. Whatever style of wire gate is used, it must be sufficient to match the requirements of the fence.

Wire Gate Farm-Built Woven

Woven wire fences will often require woven wire gates. These can be purchased commercially or farm built. The gate shown in Figure 6, is built with a steel frame and a means of tensioning the woven wire.

Metal Gates

If a producer wishes to purchase a farm gate, all-metal gates of steel or aluminum are often chosen. As with wire gates, the metal gates are lighter than all-wood gates of the same span and are hung using similar hinges.

Formed aluminum gates are very light and from the standpoint of weathering, they should last indefinitely. However their strength may not compare favorably to steel or wood gates when exposed to livestock pressure or damage from farm machinery. Figure 7, is a typical formed metal gate.

Electric Gates

Gates in electric fences may be electrified to ensure the effectiveness of the fence but combinations of electric fence and standard gates are also used. In either case, energy from the fence controller must be wired past the gate, either over the gate or under it (buried). Wider gate openings may be required to ensure livestock will pass through easily.

Electric Hook Gate

This is the simplest electric gate and is used in a one to three strand fence where infrequent passage is required. It consists of an insulated handle with a spring loaded hook on one end with the other end wired to the gate wire. By gripping the handle, the gate wire is pulled tight and hooked onto a wire loop on the gate post. This loop should be on the supply side of the electric fence. On closing, the circuit is complete and the gate is electrified. When the handle is unhooked the gate is opened and so is the circuit. As the opened gate is not electrified, it may be laid on the ground without shorting the fence. The fence beyond the gate is not electrified when the gate is opened. See Figure 8.

Passageways

Passageways are fence crossings to allow human passage only. They include hinged gates, stiles, ladders, walk throughs, step overs and safety passes as shown in Figure 10, below. They must be safe and strong and, to be effective, easy to use while being livestock proof.

Flood Gates

When fencing across small creeks or seasonal drainage gullies, it is sometimes necessary to install flood gates. These self cleaning devices will block animal movements at low water but ensure passage of water at peak flows. While various materials can be used, panels of treated wood are economical and functional. Suspended from a double wrap of high tensile smooth fence wire or light cable, wood battens are assembled to the shape of the water course. Wide flood gates will require bracing of the two line posts as shown in Figure 11, below. In the case of electric fences, the flood gate can be constructed of woven wire and electrified (only during low water) using a flexible spring connector.

Invisible Gates

A unique gate is available that uses electronic technology. A light beam is produced across the gate opening that triggers an alarm when interrupted. The livestock are frightened away from the opening by the combined sound and flashing light of the alarm. A button can be pressed to deactivate for passage as required.