2 pipe gates required for a couple openings here on the farm
a vertical pipe at the fence post
a top horizontal pipe across the top (to reach to center and then some)
and then an "angle bracket" pipe to form a triangle
i have wood fence posts gates attach to. so when putting in the hangers for the pipe. i slightly off set them. so one gate always swings open, and the other one always swings closed.
on the one that always swings closed, i got some extra chain and tossed a hook on it. so when opening up i can just toss hook over some fence wire to hook it open.
having both gates always swing open, is big pain in rear, trying to close them.
having both gates always swing closed, seems like extra steps to both latch them open, and then extra steps to unlatch them to close them.
if you need any sort of "no trespassing sign" on the gates. you are better off taking pipe clamps and say a 2x8 or like. and fastening it to the pipe gate, and then attaching sign to the 2x8. you need lumber, any sort of metal sign trying to fasten it with wire, will more than likely blow away in wind.
for locking the 2 pipes together, i have chain attached right were the angle brace pipe comes up to the horizontal pipe. and then just wrap the chain around pipe a couple times, till both pipes gates come together then wrap both gates together 1 to 3 times with chain with a lock.
the pipes are about 6' person hips in height., they are not level in anyway. and were the 2 gates come together they almost form X, errr better yet ><
they are low enough to keep atv/utv out, and just high enough, you really do not want to try and hick leg over them, and require someone to get on knees to get under them.
for extra, i have wired each pipe gate at the fence post were they hinge. so no one can come over and physically pick the gates up off the hinges. have seen folks just toss a chain around and a paddle lock for same doing vs wiring them in with a few strands of wire.
when dealing with snow / mud / regrading road. i love the pipe gates. extremely light weight and easy to operate.
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i do not have live stock (cows, pigs, sheep, horses, etc...) so i do not need a live stock gates. which has multiple pipes / framework, nor do i need a very bottom pipe/framework.
with that said, i do have dogs.
on the fence to keep the dogs in around the home. i have 2 live stock gates (makes it easier to mow). and only open to mow. or in rare case open one up to get furniture in/out through back door of home. because these gates have the low pipe/framework right on the ground 99% of the time.
i have attached cheap boat trailer jacks onto one end of each gate. the jack lets me easily lift up gate out of mud,snow, etc... and the wheel helps off set the added weight of the fence when opening/closing them. and allows me to physically lift entire gate with the jack, and not have to drag it across the ground (when put in new, no problem, but once things begin to sag....)
these gates, are attached to wooden fence post. and i have leaned the posts/hinge points on the fence post. so the gates are right at ground level when closed, but when open, the one end raises up off the ground some. (did this on purpose)
these gates will swing open, once you get them out of there initial rut per say of the boat trailer jack wheel rut.
i just use a generic eye bolt to L latch you might find at some hardware store for sliding doors for sheds/barns or gates. no real need for a pad lock or like.
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on one of my sheds. i have double doors that slide left/right. one portion of locking the door. requires you to pull a pipe up per each door in the center. the pipe runs through some E bolts in the door frame, and then i dug in 2 larger pipes down into the ground, that the pipes fall into. i did put some rock in bottom of the hole Post hole digger, so winter water does not freeze the pipes in.
the 2 pipes you lift, i have managed to bend, over the years. "tend to use them like a lever some" to pull the doors shut. the pipes, work good and keeps door shut nice and tight, more so in heavy nasty winds. while the doors may be able to be pushed a couple inches each way. the only way ya going to be opening doors is removing the pipes first. (no putting a long piece of metal through side of door and removing a latch, to open a door.)
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i refuse to ever use a "CHAIN" or "CABLE" as a gate. the stuff is either TO SMALL, and you can not see it, and you run through yourself (end up costing myself more to repair stuff due to running through cable/chain gate). or to heavy, and possibly getting tangled up around a tire or other stuff pulling/dragging through gate. *been there done that*
also chain/cable. generally always ends upon the ground. make it water,mud,snow other. your hands end up messy dealing with just pure chain/cable gates.
