automatic gate openers

[gimpy]

I'm looking at installing automatic driveway gate openers for two 8 foot sections of ornamental iron gates (guessing they weigh 250-300 pounds each). Does anyone have any suggestions? It will need to be a "dual swing" gate operation. Looking to stay at around $1000.

The name I've most seen on the internet is the "GTO" brand (Mighty Mule). My local fence company sells the Mighty Mule brand, (as does Home Depot) (looking at the 502 model) to DIY's but they do not use that brand on their installs. They "have too many problems" with them according to one of their reps. They install another brand and are wanting to charge about $2300 for it and I would need two of them (one for each leaf) (waaaay over budget).

Any help here is appreciated. I've got a couple of months to decide before I make the purchase.

Thx, Frank

[LJR]

Frank, not familiar with that brand, but I think the low voltage wiring and battery backup are definitely features worth having.

The feature I would pay attention to because it happened to a friend of ours and caused the loss of a finger. What happens when you wish to go through the gate and it doesn't work. They all have a means of disconnecting the power drive but how is that accomplished and how hard is it to do? The case I'm referring to: Husband's out of town attending school and not readily available by phone, Wife leaves the house to go to work and the gate won't work, she's late and in a hurry as usual, she knows there's a manual disconnect but doesn't know how to work it. She's not physically very strong either. She pulls some pins or bolts and "yanks", pushes, curses, pulls some more pins and clips, and gets her hand caught.

When you get done I'd make sure that everyone that needs to know does know how to work that gate when it doesn't work automatically.

[gimpy]

LJR, thx, I will definitely keep that safety feature in mind, although, most of them seem to have some sort of release in case that happens. I will need to read about that a little closer, just having scanned over that part of the description.

Apparently, you are somewhat familiar with gate openers? If so, any particular brand names to look at? Most of the models in my price range are just a set of arms (one for each leaf) that work off of a simple control. The arms have a small motor inside of its housing that screws them in and out, maybe something like a drill?

Anyway, thx, for your reply/concern. I appreciate it and will keep it in mind.

Frank