Anybody using a Mighty Mule gate operator?

[243]

I am planning to move a little further out from the city and the place I found is fully fenced with a single gate about 12' wide. I would like to keep the gate closed and locked all of the time and Mighty Mules seems to be reasonably priced with nice options.

Anyone can jump over the fence, disable the operator and open the gate but I am hoping it will take too much effort and limit "crimes of opportunity". I may also get another guard dog after missing my Rottweiler the past 20 years.

I am specifically looking at the FM350 or possibly the FM500, auto lock, solar charger and possibly the remote keypad for friends and family.

I would appreciate any feedback.

 

[nanan00]

I have a FM350, it stopped working a few months ago and when I inquired into fixing it they basically said just buy a new one as it will be cheaper than playing replace a part and hope.

When it did work it opened my 12' ~300lb gate fairly easily open to close in about 30s.

That said, these are not security in any way shape or form beyond appearance. You can easily disable them by popping a clevis pin but this is true for most gates. I didn't have the solar setup, the previous owner ran a power line out to the gate so it just ran a charger to a 750cca car battery.

 

[Prototyper]

I live in a rural subdivision with 5-10 acre lots. A new neighbor moved in a year ago, and promptly installed 2 MM operators, solar, keypad, etc. I'm sure he spent a bundle.

He's become somewhat of a laughing stock, as it seems like he's working on them every other day, half the time one or the other operator is disconnected, etc. They seem like a good product idea, poorly and cheaply (but not inexpensively) executed.

If I felt I had a need for a gate with operator, I would definitely design and build my own.

 

[Samuelm16]

Mm is garbage. Us automatic, linear, or liftmaster/ if you want a quality operator that will be dependable

 

[243]

Well that is a bummer, I will check out the other manufacturers.

I am not opposed to opening and shutting a gate and padlocking when needed, I did it for many years living in the ghetto east of down Houston.

 

[Cardboard Man]

Do not buy a Mighty Mule. Total light duty **** that is nothing but headaches. Don't waste your money.
Check here for a quality operator:
https://www.liftmaster.com/For-Homes/Gate-Operators/All-Gate-Operators
I've had almost a decade of trouble-free service from mine.

 

[Ign]

My FIL has one. I don't know the model #. It's slow, that's all I've noticed. It has given him several years of trouble-free service, FWIW.

 

[Wood'nMetal]

I'm on my 3rd MM opener. First one the FedEx man ripped off for me. Second one, which was new, lasted for about 13 months before toasting. They said no warranty and I couldn't buy the parts for less than a new unit. I'm on the 3rd one and I regularly have to work on and adjust.

 

[Bogey won]

Snap a padlock in the place of the pin. Seen it.

 

[southalabama]

I bought might mule.

It's ok. Not great. Slow.

When it finally bites the bullet will go with one of brands mentioned above.

Advantage of mighty mule is that tractor supply and northern tool have them. Others take little more work to find a dealer.

My gate is fairly light weight. Wouldn't use it for a heavy gate.

As with any advice ymmv.

 

[Daedalus]

You guys got me worried. I have one. No issues after ~2 years. The gate is metal, 12W x 6H.
They sell locking shear pins, just like what you use with a trailer hitch.

I haven't done it yet, but if you use a relay you can run 12V to a magnetic gate latch.

 

[Exit 61]

used mm 1 for about 10 years high winds ect. get the gate lock needed to keep it closed. mm is defiantly a lighter duty unit but it works. all auto gate openers are always needing adjusting one thing or a another, getting ready to install one at our new place way better than getting out to open an close the gate

 

[fnieto]

Do your self a favor and buy an Apollo or Elite system. I have been installing Automated systems over the years and the mighty mules are junk.

Buy once....cry once.....

 

[moss9994]

i have been using them for 9 years. I am on the second unit.I had a lot of money in accessories so I bought another one when the first one went out.
You use to be able to buy replacement parts for them.
Now you can't.
If and when mine goes out I will shop for another brand.

 

[243]

Thanks for the input, my offer was accepted but I am not under contract yet, but I *do* feel like continuing my research.

 

[SteveCh]

I suffered with a MM for two yr., took it apart so many times I could do it in minutes. Inside will make you laugh at how dumb you were to buy it. It is almost a toy. junk. My neighbor bought one after I told him about mine. Gave him mine for parts. Year later, he gave up.

I now have an Apollo, and it is about a thousand times better quality, though that is not difficult with MM.

 

[RickP]

+1 on LiftMaster - they make quality gate openers - they are a little pricey though. You could also try Viking.

I've heard about another less expensive brand, assembled in USA, but I don't have any experience with it: Ranger from USAutomatic.

 

[38Chevy454]

I have the MM 500 opener on a 12 ft tube swinging gate, with wire fence on the gate. I run mine off solar 10 watt panel, and did put a second battery in the box. Also have a solenoid lock on the catch side. My problem is to keep my dogs *in*, so the lock is required to keep them from pushing it open enough to escape. Also the reason for the wire fence mounted to the gate.

As for the MM 500 quality, it is not exactly robust. It has worked for approx 5 years now. The convenience of the remote opener is far ahead of the periodic maintenance required. I bought the 500, even though the 350 is supposed to be sufficient for what I use it for. I figure being a bit stronger may help it last better.

Buy any solar or spare batteries off ebay for cheap, same for the lock. MM brand stuff is expensive and not any better quality than cheaper ebay stuff.

When I have to replace the MM 500 opener, I will probably look at upgrading, but for now 5 years still working good.

 

[CoyoteKyle]

Nuff said!

 

[Moose364]

I had a MM that only lasted 1 year. then the second one came from Tractor Supply and it was a MM pro it has being going on 4 years with no problems plus you can get an extended warranty to up to 6 years free replacement in store,
I think the most important part is no signs on the gate where the wind can blow the gate and set there and bounce the gate the other thing I did was put the control box inside another water proof box so it never gets wet, fingers crossed it is working great so far.

 

[243]

I moved a year ago to a similar place as described above, I built a 3-rail fence and wood farm gate that is 13'-6" and probably 150-175 pounds. I was looking at gate operators and decided I would go with Liftmaster but my sweet daughter's bought me a MM 350 for my birthday a week ago.

I installed it in a few hours and it works fine, it's slow and the transmitter will not open it beyond 100 ft or so but it beats the hell out of jumping in and out of the truck. I have an extension cord running to the transformer until I install a solar panel.

I was on Google looking for solar panels and ended up looking at my own thread.

I am leaning towards a Coleman 10W, if I would be better off with a 20W+ with a voltage controller let me know.

 

[mtwaterguy]

Do not buy a Mighty Mule. Total light duty **** that is nothing but headaches. Don't waste your money.
Check here for a quality operator:
https://www.liftmaster.com/For-Homes/Gate-Operators/All-Gate-Operators
I've had almost a decade of trouble-free service from mine.

^^^^^+2

In Orygun I had a Mighty Mule opener. Had lots of "Board" problems. Rebuilt twice before I gave up on it. When I installed gate here in Montana I went with the Liftmaster. No problems in the last 5 years.

 

[243]

Since it was a gift I will give it a run and when I can no longer repair it, replace it.

Any input on the solar panel?

 

[83Earnhardt]

I found out the secret is to have the gate swing easily with no stress or binding. I have a 350 mounted on a sixteen foot gate and have had no problems. Gate has an adjustable cable mounted on gate about 12 foot out running about six feet up the post that gate is mounted to. This takes the stress and wear and tear off of the motor. Has been working for twenty two years. Only replaced once because of lightning strike.

 

[SteveCh]

I was on Google looking for solar panels and ended up looking at my own thread.

I am leaning towards a Coleman 10W, if I would be better off with a 20W+ with a voltage controller let me know.

I had a MM years ago [shudder at that memory]. At that time, they recommended a 5 w panel. I found a high-quality 10 w panel on sale half price and used it. Worked great.

Don't know what you mean by using a voltage controller. You are trying to keep charged a small battery, 12 v. The wattage of the small PV panel isn't going to be too critical. If you live in an area with many cloudy days, you'll want and need a higher wattage panel than somewhere it's predominantly sunny. It is quite sunny here and 10 w. does me ok. My brother-in-law in the Texas woods [think lots of shade] has to use a 20 w. panel for his set-up. He tried a 10 w. and had problems keeping the battery charged.

What you do want, or is best, is a solar controller [and perhaps that is what you were referring to] that will monitor the state of charge in the battery and "control" how much charge is put into the battery by the electricity from the PV panel. Very small ones can be had for not much $$, I think mine was $30 or so. Your MM control panel may have one built it, I don't know. Back when I had mine, they did not, but I had a small controller in my box of parts as my home is totally solar powered and has been since 1985 [thus I have twelve million little parts and stuff for various permutations of my system over the decades.]

I got rid of the MM and replaced it with an Apollo, and the Apollo control board has a PV controller built into it. You should give MM a call about that unless the installation/owners' manual has something about it.

By the way, MM wanted a big price on their 12 v. batteries [had to replace mine every year] and after I got rid of the thing I discovered I could order those batteries from some battery supply house or another in the nearest city here, don't recall who it was.

But, again, my info' re: MM is a decade out of date, so.....

 

[Rag Roc]

Mine keeps losing control boards. When sent in for eval, they say its lightning. The extended warranty doesn't cover that. IIRC the board is $50 less than an entire open box unit. I now have several spare screws and empty control boxes, and remotes all over the place. I'm over the repeated expense. Will look at other manufacturers next time. Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[barks]

Two neighbors have Mighties. One works no problem, the other seems to work half the time.

 

[243]

Steve, I was referring to "solar controller".

I paid a few bucks more for a small automotive battery rather than a lawn and garden battery but have a 2yr warranty rather than 6 months.

 

[38Chevy454]

My MM control box has positions for two batteries, so I added a second one. I just use a cheap 15w solar panel off ebay, and it keeps things charged up even in winter with shorter days and more cloud cover. My orig batteries lasted about 6 years, I replaced them and going fine again. I considered a larger automotive type battery instead of the two smaller sealed lead acid. But with the two I have never ran out of juice to make it operate, so never bothered. It is nice having all the batteries inside the control box. I have not had any issues with water getting into my box.

 

[Vettman]

Since it was a gift I will give it a run and when I can no longer repair it, replace it.

Any input on the solar panel?

I'm using a 25 watt panel, deep cycle marine battery, and MM350. So far it's never run empty. It also powers a few 1.5 watt led's for an address sign.

 

[JRC3]

OP, thank you for this thread as I'm about to install a TSC 14' wire-filled farm gate and have been considering a MM for it. I will look for another opener.

Nuff said!

In all fairness what sized gate was it pushing?

 

[Rkbuell]

I've had a MM 500 for five years opening a 14x6 well stem gate no problem at all not even readjust. Biggest problem I see is people buying to small a model. If in dought buying bigger is always better than buying smaller.

 

[Moose364]

Just a update on my MM pro its still running going on year 6 with so far nothing done to it

 

[Nexussian]

A friend of a friend in the middle of Washington state built his own gate opener with a screw drive garage door opener.

He used swinging style gate, a link rod between the opener and the gate and built a miniature shed looking cover over the motor and screw drive / track assembly.

I saw it after he had it in place for 3 years (or that's what I remember him telling me) and it worked slick.

 

[why worry]

Wife wants an electric gate so the timing on this is great. Was considering a MM but with the majority having issues I will look at another brand.
Dave

 

[Farrier]

Mules are okay if you have a single, light weight gate that doesn't get much use. Other than that, they are complete junk.

For my main property entrance to the highway, I ponied up the money for a Viking commercial opener. In 10 years, I've had to change the batteries once. Flawless operation since installed and it swings a 500 lb 16' gate multiple times daily.

I've tried Mules for other gates on my ranch. I ended up **** canning those and use the good ole tried and true method.... get my fat *** outta the truck

 

[JRC3]

Looks like this thread has pretty much run it's course so I'm gonna ask a specific question, maybe it applies to someone else too.

Opener for the gate across the narrow driveway at the front corner of the house to swing back towards the garage. Would like to spend $500 or under. Little wind, plenty of electricity, open 2-4 times a day...Any advice?


http://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/wire-filled-gate-14-ft?cm_vc=-10005
Height: 50 in.
Included: Bolt-On Hinges
Length: 14 ft.
Mesh: 2 in. x 4 in.
Product Weight: 71 lb.

 

[JRC3]

Got the bulk of the gate in today. Still need to dress up the house side post, install a strike post and build a wood 30" walk through gate around the same post. I'll make the house post and walk gate look like the 3 or 4 post fence i'll build next. I'll make the 3 or 4 rail decision tomorrow when it's time to finish those two.


Still need to figure out an opener. IDK, I might try a higher rate Mighty Mule on this light gate...



Oh, and I bough the wrong all-thread hinges and had to use the stock lag type, those will get changed out.

 

[tarmy]

I have an 800 lbs. 30' sliding gate. Been using a MM opener for 8 years...no problem.

They did replace the control board and battery charger in it right after I bought it in 09'...no problem ever since...

Good luck...

FWIW...when this one does **** out I will be getting Liftmaster...they are pricey...but I have had good luck with their equipment.

 

[JRC3]

I'm officially hi-jacking this thread.

Scraped building a gate when I can go buy one. Ignore my temp/zip-tied gate panels to the far right.