Should A Third Post Be Added

NO, NO, NO.......If the idea is to improve the performance of the gate without altering the gate frame it self, you have just taken a giant step backwards by adding a third post with rollers.

Think about how the cantilever rollers work in relation to one another. When you see a gate moving into the closed position, if there is any gap at all between the gate frame and the cantilever rollers, you will see the weight of the gate resting on the bottom roller of the backframe post nearest the opening, while the gate will be pressing upward into the upper roller on the rear post.

When the gate rolls back into the full open position, weight shifts from the bottom roller on the front post to the upper roller on the front post and the rear post now receives the load on to the lower roller and no load on rear post upper roller.

Only TWO ROLLERS are working at any one time, now you are going to introduce a third post with rollers placed exactly between the front and rear posts. 

Will you nullify the laws of physics? How many rollers will the gate ride on? The anwser must still be "two".

In effect, you have now reduced the effective backframe size by 50%. By adding the third post you have cut the backframe distance in half from you original design, because only two rollers are working at any one time, the front roller and now the new middle roller will pick up load.

The net result is your gate now is harder to move, NOT easier.

 

What Is Lateral Chord Displacement

WHAT IS LATERAL CHORD DISPLACEMENT?

Lateral chord displacement, in plain English we would refer to as "wag."  This term should NOT be confused with draw force, what we call "tug."

 Lateral chord displacement is nothing more than the distance a gate will vary from its true path of travel to one side or the other under conditions which may apply a side-ward force. With this condition, we are almost always talking about the load or wind deflection. The variables which will affect the deflection amount of the gate frame have to do with the construction format such as, standard construction, dual track, box frame, modular, fully welded with proper trusses, and fillers, like slats, wood, chain link gauge and the presents of signs or other adornments.

In engineering terms, deflection is the degree to which a structural element is displaced under a load. It may refer to an angle or a distance.

WHAT DOES “CANTILEVER”  MEAN

 

  A PROJECTING BEAM OR OTHER HORIZONTAL MEMBER SUPPORTED AT ONE OR MORE POINTS BUT NOT AT BOTH ENDS. 

 ANY RIGID CONSTRUCTION EXTENDING HORIZONTALLY WELL BEYOND ITS VERTICAL SUPPORT, USED AS A STRUCTURAL ELEMENT OF A BRIDGE, BUILDING FOUNDATION, GATE, ETC.

“ANY BEAM BUILT INTO A WALL WITH A PROJECTING FREE END FORMS A CANTILEVER.  CANTILEVERING CAN BE USED FOR CONSTRUCTIONS AS SIMPLE AS BOOKSHELVES OR AS COMPLICATED AS BRIDGES.” 

Cantilever Gate Basic Principles

The gate is supported by two (counterbalance) posts.

The "gate proper" should be equal to the opening plus 6"

The "counterbalance" should be equal to 50% (minimum) of the gate proper.

The important element of the "counterbalance" is not weight, but length.

Pickets are not necessary on counterbalance portion, unless required by design.

Make sure you refer to UL325 for safety elements in design.

Gate must be properly braced (or trussed)

If the gate is square tubing, top rail must be 2" X 2".

If the gate is round pipe, top rail must be 2 1/2 O.D. square tube or 4" O.D. round fence pipe.

E/Z Slide Track mounts to top rail of the gate and counterbalance (i.e. overall length)

If top rail is steel IGD mounting brackets are provided; if aluminum either mounting brackets can be used or stitch welding.

Trucks (trolleys) are mounted to counterbalance posts.

Trucks run inside the E/Z Slide Track. The trucks do not move, they are fixed.

The track and attached gate slide on the trucks.

Lower guides are provided to keep gate plumb.