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Foundation Options: Pad, Post, or Pier
Comunello recommends installing cantilever hardware on a concrete pad. This
gives your gate a solid foundation that will help it to last for years. Using a single
concrete pad helps in two ways:
PAD MOUNT
1. Puts both carriages on a single foundation where they will not misalign over
time
2. Allows for shorter tail sections by providing the counter balance weight
needed for a stable gate
The reason most gates get harder to open year after year is wheel misalignment. When the support wheels are
mounted on posts, they begin to mis-align as the posts move. Whether it’s because of sandy soil, freeze/thaw
cycles, or just the weight of a cantilever gate hanging off them, gate posts move over time. And that movement
creates friction that makes the gate harder to open.
POST
PIER
Not all installations allow for the use of a
concrete pad, and not all installers want to
pour a concrete pad. You have two other
options to install Duragates: Post Mount &
Pier Mount
2E Chimney Rock Rd., Bridgewater, NJ 08807
Ph: (908) 757-2323 | Fax: (908) 757-3439 | aisales@archirondesign.com
8/25
FOUNDATION OPTION: PAD MOUNT
Concrete Pad
The concrete pad dimensions given in the configurator are based on the total gate length (LT) and weight (P)
determined by the configuration. The concrete pad acts as the counterbalance weight for the gate, allowing
for shorter tail sections than traditional hardware. Two important factors to consider about the Pad are:
1. The pad dims given are long enough to support the carriages and heavy enough to act as the
counterbalance, but do not take the frost line into consideration.
2. The pad MUST be dug below the frost line to prevent heaving caused by the freeze thaw cycle.
The pad dimensions determine the volume of concrete necessary to provide a counterweight. If you alter the
length, width, or depth of the pad, make sure you do not reduce the total volume:
The amount of concrete needed, in YARDS = (LA * P * FA) / 46,656
For example, for a foundation, 63" long x 24" wide x 36" deep, it would need 1.2 yards of concrete.
Yards = (63 * 24 * 36) / 46656 = 1.2 yards
39.90"
36"
63.52"
23.62"
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ALTERNATE CARRIAGE MOUNTING
Alternate carriage mounting options
The carriages may be post mounted or pier mounted instead of pad mounted, and if done properly, it will not
significantly impact the performance of the gate, although it will likely shorten the service life of the gate and
hardware due to mis-alignment issues over time.
Post Mount Installation Suggestions
Post mount installations should only be done on gates using "Mini" or "Piccolo" hardware and have a weight
over the opening less than 1200 lbs.
The recommend installation method is to mount the post brackets to fall-over posts installed on the opposite
side of the gate from the fence line. Mount the post brackets as close to the ground as possible. The bottom of
the bracket plate should be within 2" of the ground level. When possible it is best to let the bottom plate rest on
the concrete pier holding the post.
The hole diameter and depth are determined by the configured pad size. You need half the amount of concrete
poured into each post hole to carry the weight of the gate without failing.
Compatible
Compatible
with 4" sq.
tube
with 4" Ø
tube
I
I
In a typical post mount installation, you will set the posts into 16" to 26" diameter holes and mount the carriages
to brackets bolted or welded to the posts. Post brackets are available for the Mini and Piccolo systems (steel and
aluminum) and are designed to fit either 4" round or 4" square posts.
Post mount example from Ameristar
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ALTERNATE CARRIAGE MOUNTING
Setback from the Opening
•The ”front“ Gate mounting post should be set back 13" from the edge of the opening to the center of the
post.
•The ”rear“ gate mounting post should be set so the center to center distance between the front and rear
posts is the interaxis (i) distance from the configuration.
Setback from the Fence line
1. For Post Brackets installed on fall-over post facing fence:
(Post Brackets mounted on fall-over posts on the opposite side of the gate)
The setback dimension is measured from the face of the post to the end
post or column face
2. For Post Brackets installed on fence line/end posts:
(Post Brackets mounted between gate and fence)
When the post brackets are mounted on end posts or line posts, then the setback is defined by the
bracket width, and will be as follows:
Profile
2"
4"
Gap between gate & fence
~ 2-1/2"
~ 1-1/2"
~ 1/2"
6"
Install the “front”carriage on the end post at the opening, which will leave the gate protruding about 12”
into the opening; or set a second post about 13”back from the end post to allow the gate to open fully
behind the fence line.
•
•
Install an “extra”post at the position specified by the configuration to match the carriage spacing (I). It
is ok to extend the carriage mounting position back (longer) to the next post if desired, but you must
follow the guidelines for “Extending the tail length of the gate”. It is NOT ACCEPTABLE to reduce the
carriage spacing to match up with
a line post.
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ALTERNATE CARRIAGE MOUNTING
Hole Diameter Calculation
Since Duragates are shorter, we use the concrete as part of the gate’s counterweight. You need to use the
amount of concrete as shown in a minimum length configuration to hold the gate in the ground. Calculate the
size of the post holes needed to carry half the weight of the foundation using the formula:
Volume(hole) = πr2h
Or use an online calculator like this one:
Continuing the example above, for a foundation 63" long x 24" wide x 36" deep, you would need two holes
26" diameter and 51" deep.
Dig the holes and set the posts in concrete equal to the volume specified by the configuration. gate.
•
Dig the hole to a depth below the frost line.
•
Connect the two carriage support posts mechanically in two positions, if possible. This keeps the two
•
carriages from moving independently in the direction of the gate and reduces misalignment over time.
Post mount example from
Ironclad Concepts, LLC
Here's an example of carriages mounted on
post brackets instead of a pad:
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ALTERNATE CARRIAGE MOUNTING
Pier Mount Installation
In a pier mount installation, pour two separate concrete foundations, typically 16”to 26”diameter holes dug
to a min of 48”, or below the frost line if it is deeper. The carriage is mounted directly on the concrete pier, and
the rest of the installation is the same as installing on a single concrete foundation. The minimum diameter of
the pier is determined by the carriage length because the anchor bolts need 4" of concrete from the mounting
holes to the edge of the concrete so it doesn't break out:
Carriage Size
Standard
Integrator
Mini "M" Carriages
Large "P" Carriages 20" min. dia.
16" min. dia.
24" min. dia.
24" min dia.
Setback from the Opening
Place the “front”pier just behind the end post at the opening so the carriage can be installed on the pier
with the base plate 6 to 8 inches from the edge of the opening.
•
•
Place the “back”pier at the position specified by the configuration to match the carriage spacing (I), so
the center of the two piers is the same as the configuration Interaxis (I).
Setback from the Opening
The setback from the fence line is usually determined by the need to automate the gate and have the
•
final installation meet UL325 Safety code. UL325 specifies a gap of 2-1/4" or less between the end post
or column on the fence and the moving gate. The pier will usually need to be placed where the center of
the pier is 6 to 8 inches from the fence line to meet this spec.
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ALTERNATE CARRIAGE MOUNTING
Pier Diameter Calculation
Since DuraGates are shorter than other types of cantilever gates, we use the concrete as part of the gate’s
counterweight. You need to use the amount of concrete as shown in a minimum length configuration to hold
the gate in the ground. Calculate the size of the post holes needed to carry half the weight of the foundation
using the formula:
Volume(hole) = πr2h
Or use an online calculator like this one:
Continuing the example above, for a foundation 63" long x 24" wide x 36" deep, you would need two holes
26" diameter and 51" deep.
Dig the holes and set the posts in concrete equal to the volume specified by the configuration gate.
•
Dig the hole to a depth below the frost line.
•
Showing carriage wheels
inside of track
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