If you live or work on a farm, you are accustomed to different farm gates, whether used as an entrance for your pasture or to keep your livestock safe. However, there are a few factors that can have a major impact on the specific application of each gate.
You need to think about which coating options (galvanising or painting) will best suit your needs, which mounting options (scanners) are ideal, and which wire or covering will be better for each gate’s specific needs.
Types Of Access
You will need to consider which type of farm gate best suits your needs. There are different types of farm gates to choose from, as listed below:
- Bow gates: A bow gate is a pedestrian gate within a farm gate. For example, the farm gate is 4m wide and the pedestrian section is 900mm wide. The farm gate is typically 1.2m high, but the pedestrian section is approximately 1.7m high. The addition of the pedestrian gate keeps the pedestrians from climbing over the farm gate and damaging it. They can simply walk through the pedestrian section.
- Livestock access: Livestock gates are common on many farms and are used to keep livestock in their enclosure. The popular Van Schoor W-gate and economic H-gate are great examples of this. You can choose them to be made of lightweight material or a heavier metal.
- Livestock gates: Cattle kraal gates are made to withstand the pressure and thrust of cattle, and the inside is not strung with wire, but is made of a combination of pipe and flat steel. Sheep kraal gates are made with diamond wire inside.
- Field gates: A field gate is used at the entrance or exit to fields and can also be used across the roadways of your farm. The Van Schoor W-gate and H-gate are popular choices for this application. You should choose thicker frames for more frequent use and thinner frames for less frequent use.
Your Frame Cover Options
Once you have looked at the different types of farm gates, consider the cover options that best suit your needs. Pre-galvanised steel, which is galvanised in the steel mill is used for the manufacture of farm gates.
Another option is galvanized steel with hot-dip galvanising (HDG), which is suitable for extremely rust-prone areas. In this galvanising process, the product is first manufactured and then sent to an HDG plant for galvanising. The most economical covering for the gate frame is paint and gate frames painted after it is manufactured.
Different Mounting Options (Hinges)
When looking at farm gates, you should also consider the different types of mounting options available. You can choose from hinge bolts, which are standard on farm gates that will be mounted on poles. For farm style pedestrian gates wall plate hinges is an option for wall mountings.
You should consider the type of gate you have chosen, as some may match one mounting type over the other. You should also think about how your gate will be used, as this will help you choose the best mounting type.
Look At The Latch And Lock
Depending on how your gate will be used, you should look at the different locking mechanisms available for farm gates. Most gates are closed without the need for a lock, while others have a need to be locked. Ring and hook mechanisms are standard for farm gates, spring catch mechanisms are used for pedestrian gates, and there is also a slider for security and pedestrian gates.
If you are looking for a farm gate for your farm or to protect your livestock, please contact the Van Schoor Gate team to find out more about what we can offer you.
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