Swing gate openers

[Heartland Hunter]

Recently built a new gate entrance. Looking at a gate openers.
What is best bang for your buck and problem free. I've seen the following.
Liftmaster
Ghost
Apollo
Mighty mule
What are yall running gonna have to be solar/ battery I dont have power ran to gate.

[txlawdog]

Following

[Walker]

My daughter has used a mighty mule for years trouble free except when someone forced the gate open. But her gate is nowhere near as heavy as yours.

[7sdad]

I have the mighty mule and no problems so far.

[smokin6.7]

I have a Appollo (Nice) and it's been trouble free for 9 years now. Mine it the 1600 solar powered with a marine Duracell battery I bought from Batteries Plus.

[dpg481]

Originally Posted by smokin6.7

I have a Appollo (Nice) and it's been trouble free for 9 years now. Mine it the 1600 solar powered with a marine Duracell battery I bought from Batteries Plus.

We ran a mighty mule for a while and it was only trouble. Switched to the NICE brand, previously Appollo, and it is amazing. Trouble free since day one. They are no longer ;made in Texas but the customer service and support are top notch.

[Bucknaked]

Patriot! Make sure you get a good quality battery!

[Mbbriggs05]

I have my mighty mule going for 2 years and have not had any issues. Even with my knuckle head kids and nephews climbing over half the time when its closed. I have it on a 16' galvanized wire filled gate.

Mighty Mule Heavy-Duty Single Rancher Solar Panel Gate Opener Kit, Compatible with Gates up 18 Feet Long or 850 Pounds, RSCK571W

[Roperyoung]

I have mighty mule and no problems for 3 yrs now. I'm sure the other brands are better in ways but as far as bang for your buck- under 1K for gate, (2) 6" post, gate opener, battery, battery box, solar panel, and extra remotes. Its hard to beat that, and the off brand remotes on amazon are half price and have a longer range than the mighty mule remotes FYI. I got everything at tractor supply and installed in no time. With your set up I'm guessing you will weld on? If that's the case you're talking less than an hour of work

[Bucknaked]

I think the mighty mule opens and closes very slowly compared to others- not a deal breaker though

[Geezy Rider]

I ran the Mighty Mule for about 10 years with very little trouble. I was satisfied with it but it finally died and after reading all the bad reviews on line about the Mule I decided to upgrade to the Apollo / Nice. The Nice was a little difficult to get set up but once done it’s been great.

[Bucknaked]

Originally Posted by Geezy Rider

I ran the Mighty Mule for about 10 years with very little trouble. I was satisfied with it but it finally died and after reading all the bad reviews on line about the Mule I decided to upgrade to the Apollo / Nice. The Nice was a little difficult to get set up but once done it’s been great.

How long ago did you install the Apollo ?

[dclifton]

I have in operation 2 USAutomatics, a might Mule and a Ghost.

Ghost is the newest but so far the most trouble free. If it keeps up ill be going to all Ghost as the problems persist. I have the standard model. May try one of the Premiums next.

But so far all good.

[Geezy Rider]

Originally Posted by Bucknaked

How long ago did you install the Apollo ?

5 years ago.

[bowhuntz]

I've been running mighty mule for years on lightweight gates with no issues. I have the smart controller that I can open with my phone.

[Briar Friar]

A couple Apollo openers with solar panels and interstate batterys have been going strong for a couple years for us.

[HYDRO_69]

I had an Apollo that lasted for 18 years. I just replaced the arm, transmitter, remote key pad and motherboard. I just installed a Patriot for a friend and so far I have heard no complaints from him. I’ve got a buddy that has a mighty mule and he works on it quite a bit replacing items.

[Dspivey]

Apollo hands down.

[SaintBlaise]

Hey have 2 Mighty Mules on our residential iron gates. The bottom 18" of the gates have metal covering. During last two hurricanes, wind (100+ mph) pushed them open about 30" and bent some of the hardware. I was able to fix the components myself. MM also has good customer service in case you need help resetting or have problems.

Nice workmanship on the gate

[kenner27]

I guess it’s hit or miss on mighty mule. Mine was JUNK! Driving down the road I see quite a few mighty mules but most have been disconnected from the gate…

[Cliff Dog]

I second the vote for Apollo. Installed 3 of them in the last 2-3 years and they have been great

[JDog83]

I’ve been in the access/fencing industry for 20+ years, when Apollo and HySecurity merged The company NICE was formed. With that being said they took the expertise of Hysecurity and Apollos engineers and built the Titan…. By far hands down one of the best solar Linear actuators born. Spend the money once and you won’t be disappointed.

[Palmetto]

I currently have a US Automatic Patriot running on solar. It's been great. Opens quick, and was a breeze for me to install. From the time I opened the box, I had it going in about half a day.

Before that I had a Apollo 1550. The Nice version. It was nothing but trouble. Constant headache, and installation took me about 3 days. Instructions weren't worth a flip. Some like them as you can see from comments here, but I had a bad experience.

On another note, I just tried to order another US Automatic Patriot for a friends install, but they are about 2 months out on delivery because of parts shortages. I opted for the US Automatic Ranger HD, with a galvanized box instead of plastic. This will also be a solar setup, with wireless keypads for entry & exit of guests.

[eliteweldingco]

I’ve liked apollo for years for solar gates. But with the requirements of safety features now they changed the boards up and I’m not as big of a fan anymore. It might have something to do with Apollo be run by the Yankees now at High Security. I’d recommend a us automatic patriot, but they do make a smaller option for the smaller gates now. I can’t speak for the smaller option, never installed one.

[denimdeerslayer]

I've been using mighty mule for over 20 years. They last 8-10 years for me unless something happens. Something always pushing on it or lighting is what got two of mine. I have several.

[JDog83]

Originally Posted by eliteweldingco

I’ve liked apollo for years for solar gates. But with the requirements of safety features now they changed the boards up and I’m not as big of a fan anymore. It might have something to do with Apollo be run by the Yankees now at High Security. I’d recommend a us automatic patriot, but they do make a smaller option for the smaller gates now. I can’t speak for the smaller option, never installed one.

All new operators are required to meet new UL safety standards, so in turn you are required to have entrapment devices installed which do make you have problems. But a little quick side note they can be jumped with a 10k resistor which run less that $2.00.

[BRUTE 23]

Patriot and Apallo

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[db@100]

Doesn't matter what brand of opener you get, you will need a lot more sun light to charge the battery than is shown in the picture!

[9452772]

I have the Apallo/Nice 1050 with the Titan actuator. Been very happy with it.


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[Mission408]

Save yourself the Hassel and don't get a mighty mule. I know some have good luck but a large percent of people (me included) have/had bad luck with them

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[Texashookset]

Sweet looking entrance bud.

I installed an Apollo solar panel six years ago and have not had any issues, only had to replace the battery about a year ago but there was a wiring deficiency that was from mice. Neighbor is on his third Mule (warrantied I don’t know) in under 5 years but he has huge amount of traffic in and out with his boys and their friends/horse trailers and being a party place for the younguns.

[justindiehl7]

Not a big fan of liftmaster Solar operated… if you can swing it, run power and it will save you some headache in my opinion!


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[bmac]

I have an Apollo and other then it randomly changing the close throw and leaving a gap you can walk through it has worked well. On my 2nd battery in 6 years.


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[Draco]

I've installed gate openers for around 35 years and always went with Apollo. When Nice took over, problems started and retrips became common. Went with the Patriot and have never had another problem. I have them on both my own gates and highly recommend them.

Be sure to put in a gell cell battery, even a cheap one, as no one ever thinks to check the acid in their gate opener battery.

[Bucknaked]

Originally Posted by Geezy Rider

5 years ago.

I thought so as mentioned , they changed hands about a year ago and they are different now! I almost went with one last year but found out they aren’t what they used to be!

[Geezy Rider]

Originally Posted by Bucknaked

I thought so as mentioned , they changed hands about a year ago and they are different now! I almost went with one last year but found out they aren’t what they used to be!

That’s too bad. It seems that when somebody has something that works well they have to screw things up and go down hill.

[Starman]

They have something that works then cash out by selling to a bigger company that isn’t always aligned or concerned about the values or quality control of the smaller company.

I can’t blame someone for cashing in, but it doesn’t often seem to work out too well for the consumer.

[greenflag]

I have been fighting with Ghost control for some time. My opener requires adjustment from time to time. They claim my mounting points are loose and that it is not their motor that gets out of adjustment. The problem with that is my mounting points are welded. It is a mediocre product that might be ok for a light tube gate. I am replacing the ghost control with an Nice

[Chew]

For y'all that bought Patriot...where did you buy?

[HYDRO_69]

Originally Posted by Chew

For y'all that bought Patriot...where did you buy?

American Fence and Supply in Georgetown Texas, which is a little far for you. They have been top notch on customer service and have folks that are very helpful and knowledgeable on the products they sell.

[Bucknaked]

.

[Bucknaked]

Originally Posted by Bucknaked

Gatecrafters.com
Excellent customer service and techs

https://www.gatecrafters.com/default.aspx

[BowSlayer]

Originally Posted by greenflag

I have been fighting with Ghost control for some time. My opener requires adjustment from time to time. They claim my mounting points are loose and that it is not their motor that gets out of adjustment. The problem with that is my mounting points are welded. It is a mediocre product that might be ok for a light tube gate. I am replacing the ghost control with an Nice

I had the exact problem with my ghost. When the guy built the gate he welded the mounting brackets. After a few weeks of fighting with it I cut them off and drilled/tapped for mounting bolts. Solved all my problems. I’ve had mine for about 13 months and don’t have any complaints since I fixed the mounts.

[greenflag]

Originally Posted by BowSlayer

I had the exact problem with my ghost. When the guy built the gate he welded the mounting brackets. After a few weeks of fighting with it I cut them off and drilled/tapped for mounting bolts. Solved all my problems. I’ve had mine for about 13 months and don’t have any complaints since I fixed the mounts.

Watch the motor end where the pin goes through( at the post bracket). The brass eye has wallowed out on mine. I’m giving up on this brand. I bought it because I saw several neighbors with might mule arms hanging because they quit working. I thought I was buying a better product.

[CabezaBlanca]

I've had horrible luck with Liftmaster and their customer service flat out sucks. I installed a NICE / Apollo 3 years ago and it hasn't missed a beat since.

[Aggie Dad]

There was an Apollo on our front gate when we bought our place 12 yrs ago. No idea how long ago before that it was installed. I did have to replace the actuator arm about a year ago but other than replacing the battery that’s all I’ve had to do with it.

[Draco]

Originally Posted by Chew

For y'all that bought Patriot...where did you buy?

I bought mine at American Fence and have bought a couple hundred from them through the years. They are the ones that talked me into going with the Patriot after they quit handling Apollo because they had so much trouble with them.

Be sure to put that cheap gell cell battery in it. The battery in the opener at my last house was is 17 years old and still going strong.

[Chew]

Originally Posted by Draco

I bought mine at American Fence and have bought a couple hundred from them through the years. They are the ones that talked me into going with the Patriot after they quit handling Apollo because they had so much trouble with them.



Be sure to put that cheap gell cell battery in it. The battery in the opener at my last house was is 17 years old and still going strong.

How much you charge these days for install + travel.

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[tps7742]

I ended up going with the Patriot and had it installed a weeks ago. We had to go cellular due to our entrance being so long a distance from an electrical source. We haven’t had it long enough to really comment on its reliability yet.

[Draco]

Originally Posted by Chew

How much you charge these days for install + travel.

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I'm retired (some say retarded) but they are very easy to hook up. Even leo can do it as my best buddy put his own in and he can barely tie his shoes.