I’ve just built this gate for my Daughters place. The big wing is 8-6 and the 3-0 man gate with the filler wing on the rt. Height is 5-4. It is 3x2 frame, 2’ risers and redwood splined in-fill. Total weight is about 160# max. I’ve picked up a 200# 6” gate wheel for it. I’m bolting this wheel onto the frame. My question is, should the gate wheel be compressed or pre-loaded? Opening in this will roll on the driveway without problem. Opening out it will swing free due to the grade and will have a support stand for the open out position. The wildcard in this project is the existing stoned in support post. It held the lighter gate for a long time but I have no idea how that post was built.The attached photo shows the big and small gate without the rt side filler
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Gate wheels
- Thread starter Jackfre
- Start date
Nice gate and man gate.
You can try to keep it simple hence no spring or shock with a slight preload or 1/2 load (of the total weight).
Because... you have a full load and twist at the stone post's pivot point without this opposite end wheel support.
If the stone post is built to have a gate at 180# cantilevering off it with beefy hinges, then you wouldn't need this.
You can try to keep it simple hence no spring or shock with a slight preload or 1/2 load (of the total weight).
Because... you have a full load and twist at the stone post's pivot point without this opposite end wheel support.
If the stone post is built to have a gate at 180# cantilevering off it with beefy hinges, then you wouldn't need this.
Pen & Wrench
Well-known member
Nice looking gate! I built my neighbor's gate a few years ago with spring loaded caster wheels, and it didn't seem to be all that good. When we rebuilt them we put in a really strong corner post, and didn't use a wheel, and we put a block in the ground that supports the gate when its closed, since that's the position its in 95% of the time, it has excellent support 95% of the time. I'm a fan of making sure the gate is supported when closed, and if you use a wheel, a fixed one (no caster) that takes some of the load, or maybe no wheel at all, is my vote.
Thanks! Again, the question mark is, how solid is the pivot/support post. In thinking about the alternative to the wheel I am thinking a 3/4” rod coupling welded to a plate and corresponding bolt with a foot plate on it bolted to the bottom rail. The gate is currently set on a piece of white oak.