Frequently Asked Questions
Q: HOW DO BUMP GATES WORK?
Q: HOW HARD DO I BUMP MY GATE?
A: A Bump Gate only needs a gentle ‘bump’. We recommend you bump your gate with your vehicle, then reverse and observe how far it opened. When the gate has closed, repeat this step until you bump the gate and the Delay Catch is activated. When you are confident of the right speed, bump the gate and follow it as it opens - you do not need to wait for the gate to engage the Delay Catch before starting to drive through.
Q: HOW LONG WILL MY BUMP GATE STAY OPEN?
A: You can adjust the closing speed of your Bump Gate to suit your needs. If you want to tow a trailer, horse float or boat behind your vehicle, adjust the Speed Screw in the Hinge post to allow at least 15 seconds between opening and closing.
Q: DOES A BUMP GATE OPEN IN BOTH DIRECTIONS?
A: Yes, to bump your gate with the front of your vehicle, it needs to swing open safely in both directions. If your Bump Gate is at the entrance to your property, you may need to recess your gateway for this to be possible.
Q: DO I NEED A BULL /BUSHBAR ON THE FRONT OF MY VEHICLE TO OPEN A BUMP GATE?
A: No. Bump Gates are designed for use by small sedans through to light trucks. Gently bumping your gate at 2km/hr does not damage the front of your vehicle and does not set off airbags. If you have a bull / bushbar fitted, you will need to judge the correct position to bump the arm. Extra care needs to be taken with spotlights and winches fitted to the front of 4WD’s.
Q: CAN I REVERSE INTO MY BUMP GATE?
A: We do not recommend reversing into a Bump Gate when entering traffic. When exiting your property, it is safest to turn your vehicle around and to bump your Bump Gate with the front of the car.
Q: CAN A BUMP GATE BE OPENED BY HAND?
A: Yes, a Bump Gate can be activated while walking, on horseback, or on a motorbike.
Q: CAN WE HOOK THE GATE OPEN IF WE’RE MOVING CATTLE OR EXPECTING
LARGE TRUCKS / MACHINERY THROUGH?
A: Yes, use the short 90º tail of the Delay Catch hook to temporarily latch your Bump Gate open.
Q: WILL CATTLE OPEN OUR BUMP GATE?
A:
No they cannot. This is prevented in 5 ways:
1. The rubber sleeve on the Bump Rail arms spins around
2. The Bump Rail arm describes an arc rather than travelling in a direct line
Decrease bump sensitivity:
3. Thread the cable through the centre holes of the Cable Bracket
4. Recess the Lockpin at least 25mm (1”) in the Two-way Lock
5. Have some slack in the cable when the Bump Gate is closed
Q: DOES A BUMP GATE NEED ELECTRICITY OR AN EXTERNAL POWER SOURCE?
A: No, it operates by mechanical power and gravity.
Q: WHAT TYPE OF GATE CAN I USE FOR A BUMP GATE?
A:
Bump Gate kits fit mesh or bar gates that are readily available from
rural or steel retailers. The most commonly used steel gate frame size
in Australia is 33mmOD [1 1/4"OD] round pipe.
For overseas markets, we also supply kits for gate frames made
with 42mmOD [1 5/8”OD] and 50mmOD [2”OD] round pipe.
Q: WHAT TYPE OF POST CAN I USE TO HANG MY BUMP GATE?
A:
We supply kits for installation onto timber or steel posts. If using timber, we recommend 150mm (6”) posts for a 3m wide gate and 200mm (8”) for wider gates.
Steel posts can be made from railway line, 90mmOD pipe, 80x80, 90x90 and 100x100 RHS, and 125 or 150mm bore casing.
** Whatever type of post you use, it must be firmly in the ground so that there is no movement and it must be vertical
Q: WHICH MODEL DO I NEED?
A:
The standard model in any size is for use by cars, 4WD’s and light trucks
while the heavy duty model in any size is recommended for frequent use by light trucks
and 4WD’s.
Q: CAN LARGER VEHICLES LIKE BULLDOZERS AND ROAD TRAINS USE A BUMP GATE?
A: Bump Gates are not for use by road trains and bulldozers.
If earthmoving equipment or a semitrailer is expected on the property, it’s simple to temporarily latch the Bump Gate open.
Q: WHAT WIDTH OF GATE CAN I INSTALL THE KIT ONTO?
A: Bump Gate kits can be used on gates between 3 to 4.8m (10-16’]) in width with 3.6 [12’] and 4.2m [14’] being the most popular sizes for a Bump Gate.
Q: CAN I USE STEEL POSTS?
A: The kits are designed for use with 200mm (8”) round timber posts but if using steel, we recommend using 100x100mm (4”x4”) minimum. For timber posts, make the opening between your Hinge and Lock post 100mm (4”) greater than the width of the gate to be fitted. For steel posts, the opening needs to be 135mm (5½”) greater than the gate width.
Q: CAN THEY BE USED ON DOUBLE GATES?
A: A Bump Gate can be used in a double gate system, providing one gate is wide enough for the vehicles you are driving through the gate most of the time (3.6m / 12’ minimum). It may be quicker and easier to replace double gates with a larger single gate.
Q: CAN A BUMP GATE BE INSTALLED ON A STEEPLY SLOPING SITE?
A: Generally speaking, no. If your gateway is on steep slope, you will need to do earthworks to level the ground 6m [20'] either side of the gate to allow your Bump Gate to swing in both directions. This is a much safer option than the dangerous practice of opening and closing gates on slopes. An alternative is to move your gate site to more level ground if possible.
Ensuring that safety is maintained in the workplace is an obligation for every employer and employee. However it is often not realised until too late, that opening and closing gates on slopes is very dangerous and causes death and serious injury each year, as well as damage to property and machinery. Levelling the site of a sloping gateway about 6 metres either side (at minimal cost) and installing a Bump Gate, is a much safer alternative, for both personal use and in a work environment.
Q: CAN WE INSTALL A BUMP GATE KIT OURSELVES?
A: Yes, our simple to install Bump Gate kits require basic skills and tools and take two people 4 to 5 hours to install. The Fitting Instructions included in the kits are written in plain English with photos of each step making them easy to follow, and if you have any questions, we are only a local call or email away. If you don’t have time, a reputable fencing contractor will have the skills and tools to install the kits for you.
Q: HOW DO BUMP GATES COMPARE WITH OTHER DEVICES ON THE MARKET?
A: The Bump Gate is the most cost-effective automatic gate available. Solar-powered electric devices, hydraulic units and cattle grids (Texas gates) are over three times more expensive to purchase, ranging from $AUD1500 - 4000. They are also more costly to repair and maintain. It is a major job to install cattle grids/guards and livestock jump them and break their legs in them.
Q: HOW DOES A BUMP GATE IMPROVE MY PROPERTY SECURITY?
A: Most people don’t like frequently opening and closing gates, so they often leave gates open. However an open gate is an open invitation for people to enter your property. Because a Bump Gate is always closed, it reduces the risk of property thefts and deters nuisance callers.
Q: HOW MUCH DOES A STANDARD MODEL KIT WEIGH?
A: 16 kilograms or just over 35 pounds.
Q: HOW DO YOU FREIGHT THE BUMP GATE KITS?
A: We have a contract with Australia Post to send kits by surface mail anywhere in Australia or by airmail overseas at reasonable rates, making it affordable wherever you live. Freight for bulk purchases is arranged as required. Bulk international orders are sent by sea freight.
Q: HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE FOR US TO RECEIVE OUR KIT?
A: Kits are dispatched by the next working day through Australia Post so you receive your kits within 7 days, anywhere in Australia. International delivery via airmail takes up to 21 days, depending on your country's Customs Service.
Q: WHAT WARRANTY IS THERE ON A BUMP GATE KIT?
A: Bump Gates Australia offers a 60-day money back guarantee within Australia and a two year parts warranty worldwide.
