Gate operators
The operator is the equipment that moves an automatic gate, but it is only one part of the entrance. The gate itself, posts, hinges or rollers, access equipment, available power, and property layout all need to work together.
An operator installed on a gate that is hard to move creates ongoing problems
Modern Fence Company provides gate operator installation, service, and repair for qualifying residential, commercial, industrial, municipal, and government properties throughout Western Arkansas and Eastern Oklahoma.
Gate operators may be used with
- Swing gates
- Sliding gates
- Cantilever gates
- Residential driveway gates
- Estate and ranch entrances
- Apartment community gates
- Commercial entrances
- Industrial gates
- Controlled vehicle entrances
Our Modern Access Control division provides automated gate operators as part of our broader vehicle and pedestrian access capabilities. We can also coordinate the gate itself, because Modern Fence fabricates custom gates in-house.
The gate and the operator have to work as one
A gate operator should not be treated as a separate piece of equipment added at the end of a project. The physical gate has to operate correctly first.
Before installing or replacing an operator, we consider the condition of the gate and the way the entrance is used. An existing gate that drags, binds, shifts, or has damaged hardware may need mechanical repairs before new automatic equipment is installed.
On a new project, we can coordinate the gate design and automatic equipment from the beginning. That is especially valuable for custom gates, because Modern Fence fabricates its gates in-house rather than relying only on standard-sized products.
Operators for swing, sliding and cantilever gates
Swing gates
Swing gates open on hinges and may be used at residential driveways, estates, ranches, apartment properties, commercial entrances, and other controlled locations. A swing entrance may use a single gate or two gate leaves meeting near the centre.
Sloped entrances deserve particular attention, because the grade can affect how a swing gate moves. If the gate does not fit the opening correctly, operator replacement alone may not solve the problem.
Sliding gates
Sliding gates move along the fence line rather than swinging into the driveway. They can be useful for commercial properties, apartment communities, storage facilities, industrial entrances, and selected residential properties.
Before installing or servicing the operator, we look at the physical gate and the area through which it travels. Obstructions, damaged components, or poor alignment interfere with operation, and the travel area needs to remain usable after the system is installed.
Cantilever gates
Cantilever gates are another sliding configuration, supported from beside the entrance. Modern Fence provides cantilever gate systems and has documented experience with automated cantilever gates on larger fence projects.
These systems can be appropriate for commercial properties, warehouses, industrial sites, apartment communities, storage facilities, government properties, and large controlled entrances.
First question: is the gate itself suitable?
An existing manual gate may sometimes be converted to automatic operation. Before that happens, the gate and the components around it are evaluated.
If the physical gate needs significant repair or does not fit the property well, correcting the gate before adding automation may make more sense. Our in-house fabrication gives another option when an existing gate needs to be replaced before automation — all of our gates are built in our own shop.
We evaluate visible conditions such as
- Gate alignment
- Frame condition
- Hinges or rollers
- Support posts
- Ground clearance
- Gate movement
- Existing damage
- Space for equipment
Residential entrances and managed properties
Residential gate operators
A residential gate operator can make a driveway, estate, farm, or ranch entrance easier to use. Instead of manually opening and closing the gate, authorized users operate the entrance through compatible access equipment — remote access, keypad entry, cellular entry, intercom equipment, or other supported options.
A lightly used rural gate has different operating needs from an entrance used by several household members throughout the day. For remote properties, solar-powered options may be available when the property and system are suitable.
Commercial and industrial gate operators
Commercial entrances place greater demands on an automatic gate because more people and vehicles use the property. Operators may be part of entrances serving warehouses, industrial properties, apartment communities, storage facilities, offices, municipal properties, government facilities, and other managed properties.
Commercial planning should consider who uses the entrance, how access is granted, and whether pedestrians and vehicles have separate entry points. An operator may also need to work with keypads, cards, RFID equipment, telephone entry, intercoms, or other access control systems.
The operator moves the gate. The access device asks it to
Keeping those two roles separate matters when troubleshooting: a gate that does not open may have a problem with the access device, the operator, the physical gate, or another connected component.
Keypad access
A straightforward way for authorized users to request entry. Our capabilities include cellular keypad systems, suited to residential gates, employee entrances, apartment properties, and service entrances.
RFID and card entry
Useful for properties with multiple regular users — apartment communities, commercial facilities, employee entrances, storage facilities, industrial properties, and managed parking areas.
Telephone entry and intercoms
A way for someone at the gate to reach a resident, employee, or property representative — particularly useful where visitors do not have permanent gate credentials.
Camera integration
CCTV integration is supported within selected access-control projects. Cameras should be coordinated with the gate and access equipment rather than assumed to be part of every automatic gate project.
Solar-powered operator options
Some entrances are located far from convenient electrical service. Modern Fence offers solar-powered options within its gate and access-control capabilities.
Solar may be considered for selected
- Ranch entrances
- Rural driveways
- Estate gates
- Remote property entrances
- Commercial locations
Not every entrance will be a good fit. The gate, site, access equipment, and property conditions should be evaluated before deciding how the operator will be powered.
Not every problem is an operator problem
The cause may involve the physical gate, the access equipment, or a combination of components.
Symptoms worth having evaluated
- Gate does not respond to an entry request
- Gate starts but does not complete its movement
- Gate movement has become inconsistent
- Physical gate is dragging or binding
- Gate is visibly out of alignment
- Access device is not communicating as expected
- Entrance operates differently than it normally does
We accept repair-only projects, smaller service calls, ongoing maintenance, annual service agreements, and emergency repair requests. A service-call charge applies to access-control service.
During service, we determine whether the issue involves the physical gate, the gate operator, a keypad or reader, telephone or intercom equipment, or another connected access component. We avoid assuming the operator should be replaced before the rest of the entrance has been evaluated.
Automatic gates contain moving parts that are used every day
Properties that depend on an automatic gate for daily entry benefit from periodic service rather than waiting for the entrance to fail.
Periodic service is especially useful for
- Apartment communities
- Commercial properties
- Industrial facilities
- Storage properties
- Managed entrances
- Properties with several automatic gates
Modern Fence offers ongoing maintenance, annual service agreements, and periodic service contracts for qualifying systems.
Our gate operator installation process
1
Evaluate the entrance
We review the gate, opening, property layout, existing equipment, and how the entrance will be used.
2
Check the physical gate
The gate should be in suitable condition for automatic operation. Required mechanical work is identified before the operator portion of the project.
3
Review access needs
We determine how authorized users activate the entrance and whether keypad, card, RFID, telephone, or intercom equipment is needed.
4
Prepare the scope
We identify the gate operator and the related work included in the project.
5
Complete required gate work
For new entrances the gate is fabricated and installed. For existing entrances, approved mechanical repairs are completed first.
6
Install the operator
The approved operator is installed and connected to the gate system.
7
Coordinate entry equipment
Approved access-control components are installed or connected when included in the project.
8
Review operation
We inspect the completed work and provide applicable care and operating information for the installed equipment.
The gate and the operator come from the same company
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Serving the region since 1950
Modern Fence Company has provided fencing, gate fabrication, and access-control services here since 1950.
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A full access-control division
Automated gate operators, telephone entry systems, card access, and related vehicle and pedestrian entry solutions.
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Gates built in-house
Because we fabricate our own gates, the physical gate and the operator can be considered together from the start.
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Service on existing entrances
For customers with an existing gate, we provide qualifying service calls, repair-only projects, and emergency repair requests.
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Ongoing maintenance
Properties that rely on their entrance every day can add ongoing maintenance and annual service agreements.
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Licensed and insured
Modern Fence Company is licensed and insured for the work we perform.
Installation and service across
Western Arkansas & Eastern Oklahoma
We provide gate operator installation and service in these communities and the surrounding areas of Western Arkansas and Eastern Oklahoma.
Operators, entry devices and controlled openings
Do you install gate operators?
Yes. Automated gate operators are part of Modern Fence’s access-control services.
What types of gates can use operators?
We provide swing, slide, cantilever, and other custom gate systems. Whether an individual gate is suitable for automation depends on the gate and the property.
Can you automate an existing manual gate?
Possibly. The existing gate and supporting components should be evaluated before an operator is added.
Can you replace the gate if it is not suitable for automation?
Yes. Modern Fence fabricates gates in-house.
Can a gate operator work with a keypad?
Yes. Our access-control capabilities include cellular keypads.
Do you offer RFID or card access?
Yes. RFID readers and card-based entry are among the access options we install.
Can the entrance include telephone or intercom access?
Yes. Modern Fence provides telephone entry and intercom systems.
Are solar-powered gate options available?
Yes, solar-powered options are available for suitable projects.
Do you repair gate operators?
We accept access-control service calls, repair-only projects, and emergency repair requests.
Do you offer ongoing maintenance?
Yes. Ongoing maintenance, annual service agreements, and periodic service contracts are supported.
Do you provide free estimates?
Yes. Free estimates and consultations are offered.
Tell us about the entrance
Let us know whether a gate already exists, how the gate moves, the property type, and the access equipment currently in place. If you are planning a new automatic entrance, tell us whether you are considering keypad, card, RFID, telephone, intercom, cellular, or solar-powered options. We evaluate the gate and entrance before recommending the next step.
