Timber Gate Ideas

[LarryD]

OK, let’s add another project to the list of things to do.

The 90 acres south of me is being developed into 5 and 10 acre parcels, probably will see building in the next year or so. The owners originally planned to use our drive for access and have easement established with the county.

The good news is, due to the number of homes going in, the easement no longer met requirements. The road/easement needed to be increased by 10’ on either side and the owners west of me wanted way too much money.

The bad news is the access by our drive cuts mileage by 2 miles or more to the parcels adjacent to mine. How long do you think it will take an owner to figure that one out?

The picture shows the end of the new road with turn-around for large vehicles (fire truck?) and the corner of my lot, about where the no-trespass sign is.

I have talked to the owner about buying back the easement but he’s not willing to sell that right now. Not a bad neighbor thing, they just want to advertise “walking trails” with the properties. My neighbors have no problem with blocking the road as long as someone can walk around the gate.

So here’s the project, I want to build an early settlers type gate. One made from logs. I have access to straight timber ranging from 3” to 12”, fir, alder, or hemlock. I figure a 12” log about 6’ in the ground (tar coated) and 10’ above ground will make the main post. I’m looking for ideas on the gate itself. Timber frame type construction without too many nails. Pictures or plans would be most helpful.

 

[Highbeam]

Larryd, the easement language can and should be changed to reflect the owner's decision ASAP. Get the easement changed to a pedestrian only access easement to specifically eliminate vehicular access via the easement. The new owners will not be willing to do this and could be very tough.

 

[Onthesauk]

If you get the legal issues settled, my favorite walking gates have always been the maze type gates with no swinging gate, grew up with these in Montana. Allows people to walk through but the turns are too sharp for a horse, cow or bike to get around. Nothing to sag or break.

 

[SnoFalls]

LarryD,

Do you intend for this to be "openable" for vehicle traffic on occassion?

 

[tawilson]

Hey, I've been thinking about something like that for the entrance to my campsite. I'm figuring a log long enough so the butt will partially counterbalance the part that crosses the road, but that's as far as I got.

 

[SnoFalls]

I was going to suggest a lever gate ...

If you make it so the counter balance is removable, then it'll be too heavy to open, but when you want it open, use the tractor to haul the counterbalance over, hook it up, and then up goes the lever.

if you're good at notching timbers, a lever shape such as (hope the ascii art works) ...
<font class="small">Code:</font><hr /><pre>
/|
---------/--|
|
</pre><hr />

can get the counterbalance up high enug to clear the ground ...

 

[LarryD]

That’s not something I even considered Highbeam. I believe that may be a good topic for discussion next time I see John, thanks. I’m not sure how the rights would transfer to individual properties if it was written for one property. Now you’ve got me thinking in a whole new direction.

This gate needs to be operable for at least the next few years to allow some equipment access. John has said it would strictly be for his contractors i.e. surveyors, well driller. He has a good plan for development with 30’ setbacks from property lines for clearing, homes less than 2500 sqft, possible network of walking/horse trails etc. He will develop the property himself with various builders in order to maintain control of the project; he will not sell raw land. I also ride back there occasionally; the mule for pleasure and Sweetie pulls out logs for firewood. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I came up with the idea recalling when I used to ride at a ranch up in Canada. The ranch was fenced and all the gates were made of logs. I just can’t remember what the vertical bracing for the gate itself looked like. They all hung on a single vertical log and had a guy wire from the top of the log to the far end. Since the top member pivots on one end and the other end is held by cable, everything below is really ornamental. I could do the counter balance idea SnoFalls and leave out the guy wire…hmmm.

For $80, I could get two metal gates at Cenex but where the craftsmanship in that?

 

[Highbeam]

As long as John still owns all the parcels that have easement rights across your land, he can sign them all away. A licensed land surveyor will know just how to make the old easement go away and the new easement be recorded to benefit all the original parties. You should offer to pay for the surveyor and do all the legwork yourself since you want this to happen. The new easement can be narrower than a vehicle and specific to non-motorized use. In addition, a temporary construction easement can be recorded to allow the vehicular use of the full width easement for a limited duration.

If the land has yet to be platted from a big lot into a zillion 5 acre lots then it is cleaner.

 

[CurlyDave]

Before you consider any gate, maze-type or swinging, think about access for fire equipment.

The ideal gate will screw up a car if it pushes through, but a fire engine can drive right through without a second's thought.

Go talk to your local fire department and then think about a few short posts set with 12" or so sticking up and gaps at the right distance for the wheels of a fire truck.

This doesn't stop pedestrians or heavy equipment, but keeps passenger cars out.

If you want to add a latched, but unlocked, gate for visual appeal, go for it.

 

[Highbeam]

I asked the fire department why the locked gate of mine wasn't a concern for them when I was burning slash. They said, "we'll get through". Something tells me that along with the jaws of life, they probably have a chainsaw and bolt cutters onboard as well.

A locked gate will slow them down but is very obvious on a dark stormy night compared to say short posts that need to be straddled.

Our fire trucks can't drive over anything taller than 6" or reverse for more than 150 feet or the wheels unscrew.