Gate lock question

handirifle · Oct 30, 2017

OK so a little background. We like many of you, live rural, and have a gate at the entrance to our property. Our entrance is off a dirt road, and ever since we have lived here there was a coded gate at the entrance to the dirt road. Lately someone has broken that gate, forced their way through it, but that is another story. The residents are considering removal of the dirt road gate.

We have begun closing our gate all the time because some less than desirable people have made their way down the road. Which brings me to my question. Our gate is a swinging metal gate, and like any gate I realize is only a deterrent for a thief. Our steel gate currently closes to a wood post, but I would clad that with steel. I am looking for an exterior lock, preferably one with a coded entry right on the lock (think hotel doors). I have seen some on the internet, but they are in the UK.
It would need to be operated (locked and unlocked) from either side as well, and would need probably 2" throw to lock securely to the post.

I have thought up an idea that could be padlocked from either side, but would prefer not to have to fart with another key. My idea would push a 1" bolt through my gate and into the steel clad post.

Before you ask, we have thought of a powered gate opener but like the dirt road gate those can be easily opened by pushing with a car/truck. Our dirt road gate did NOT have any locking bolt mechanism, it was simply a swinging gate that stopped against a post. This is a HEAVY steel gate, that swings on steel posts that are 12" dia, cemented into the ground. Not a lightweight setup. Also in case of a power outage, I still want to be able to get in or out.

My gate is nowhere near that heavy, and can be broken, but I still want the deterrent.

So, any suggestions on the lock?

woodlandfarms · Oct 31, 2017

You could have a locking mechanism machined, and you should look at what the forestry / National Parks people do to lock gates, some good ideas. That said, if someone is going to steal they are going ot steal, you can a bit to slow them down but stuff will go bye bye if a theif wants it bad enough. So while the locked gate cuts down on the rif raff, I feel that you should also arm yourself with some images of who did it so work out video / still surveilance system. We were robbed and with the video much of what was stolen was returned.

handirifle · Oct 31, 2017

Yea I know it's only a deterrent, but I want it anyway :thumbsup:, the wife wants it even more so there ya go.
There's no NP/NF gates anywhere near here so will have to look it up.

Have thought of video more than once, still might do that too. We do have a total alarm system on the house, but a lot of expensive stuff is not in the house either.

handirifle · Oct 31, 2017

The ones I found are a tab from the gate, that goes thru a slot that a steel rod locks both together. Very solid and hard to get past, but too much for the wife to unlock in the rain.

bcp · Oct 31, 2017

The lock mechanism on this gate could be used on a lighter gate..

Rawlings Heavy Duty Gates - YouTube

Bruce

dragoneggs · Oct 31, 2017

I'm all for a secure gate and have been considering a gate for our property. We don't have a long lonely and maybe desolate driveway but it seems those of you that do, have more trouble than I would expect. Just surprised that bad folk would take the chance. I do like the idea of motion detect camera/recorder to hopefully capture the bad guys.

I don't have much security gate experience but I always follow along on these threads to learn. Good luck to you on your quest for securing yourself and family.

woodlandfarms · Oct 31, 2017

I was just thinking about our gate.... It has 3 locks on it. Utility, Phone and ours. Might want to factor that into any design if there is a reason for any of those people to get on your property (Legally we are obligated to let them on our property due to old easements. Many occassion they have messed up the magic 3-lock order of things and direct locked the gate. Bought a good pair of bolt cutters and every couple of years they have to replace their locks.

Wagtail · Oct 31, 2017

Seems to me that the OP has two problems, the first being locking the gate... noting that the gate alone is just a deterrent to a determined intruder. I'll leave recommendations for that to others with more experience.

The second problem is alerting the OP that something is happening at (or just after) the gate. To this I'd recommend some type of alarm system for back at the house and, perhaps, shed/barn. Comes to mind an old Service Station bell system (which a TBN member has mentioned before). The vehicle drives over the 'air hose' (pneumatic?) and the bell in the house rings... probably twice.

:2cents:

Streetcar · Oct 31, 2017

EASist fix for lock on gate is cable for locking a bike with padlock. It can be accessed from any side and can use multiple locks if desired

CADplans · Oct 31, 2017

The first step to insuring that your security system will work is to survey the security of your neighbors.

THEN, you need to install security that is 10-50% more effort to bypass.
Criminals ALWAYS go to the easiest mark.
Your effort will be useless, if, after installation, your gate is still the easiest.

zzvyb6 · Oct 31, 2017

Locked gates only keep honest people out. You need an alarm that's seen, heard and loud. My sensors are all around the place. receivers turn on rotating flashing lights, ring a bell in the barn and tones in the house. You start up the driveway, both you and I will know you are here. Mine are all 12v. Even my golf cart has an old state police rotating beacon on it. Where ever I am on the property, I will know there is action up front. So does everyone else.

What also helps is some occasional, unscheduled gunfire. Neighbors need to be taught that shooting is a routine thing on the property because neighbors are often the problem around here. The idea is to un-invite trouble, not invite it. Locks to me are bait.

July 21, 211.wmv - YouTube

oosik · Oct 31, 2017

I have a mile long gravel driveway with a steel swinging outer gate and the same for an inner gate. The outer gate dumps directly onto the county road - the inner gate opens onto the SE corner of my property. The mile long driveway is in between the two gates.

I live in an area of open range - so the outer gate is always closed to keep the cows in and the inner gate is always closed to keep the cows off my property.

During hunting season, which is soon upon us here, I will lock the outer gate. Unfortunately, hunters will use my driveway to access lands they are not authorized to be on or hunt on - Trespassing. I use a length of heavy 3/8" grade 100 chain and padlock on the outer gate.

Locking the outer gate makes no difference since they are always closed and I have to stop to go thru each gate exiting/entering my property.

There is a National Wildlife Refuge right across the county road and all their access gates have a very unique system of securing the gate and protecting the lock from damage. I guess if I felt I needed added security I could have that type system put on my outer gate.

Thall303 · Oct 31, 2017

bcp said:
The lock mechanism on this gate could be used on a lighter gate..

Rawlings Heavy Duty Gates - YouTube

Bruce

That is quite a gate and latch!

Wonder what it costs?

EddieWalker · Oct 31, 2017

I think you are over complicating the gate with your plan. Buy a really good quality chain and two locks. One with a combination, one with a key. Better locks cost more, but are much harder to cut. Same with chain. Which just means that if they really want in, they will cut the hinges, or the gate itself, or the fence next to the gate. How far do you want to go?

forgeblast · Oct 31, 2017

https://www.fs.fed.us/t-d/pubs/pdf/06231201.pdf
http://www.forestryforum.com/board/index.php?topic=16869.0
these might help you out.

handirifle · Oct 31, 2017

My security system will be hard, not impossible, to beat. Solar powered, battery backup all inside. So cutting off grid power or phone does nothing. Phone lines are all underground, not easily accessible, and not obvious where it is. I NEED to add cameras to the system though, and I have thought of better gate alarms.

We have and have used those Harbor Freight battery operated ones and they work pretty decent, but the batteries do not last long. Currently I do not have power at the gate, but it can be added.

I need to look at cameras and alarms too.

handirifle · Oct 31, 2017

Bruce
One real problem with that design is it's one sided, but it is heavy duty. That gate is about the size of our dirt road main gate that they broke. Actually broke the opener, which is a heavy duty Liftmaster style. Unfortunately there is nothing to hold the gate locked other than the opener. I always figured this would happen.

handirifle · Oct 31, 2017

Forgeblast, I still need easy 2 way access for vehicles that we want to come on.

handirifle · Oct 31, 2017

Last night I was rummaging through my mind (LOTS of empty space there) and drew up this little idea.

The horizontal bar is a handle, one on each side, and the black bar is the locking bar. The handle will rotate downward and pull the spring loaded bar back. The round part at top left is a keyed double sided deadbolt that when locked will prevent the black bar from sliding back.

I think I can build this.

As you can tell I do not use Autocad or even anything remotely close (Word). Most of my ideas start like this and I build them from drawings in my head.