Hanging Gates on RSJ

RedRag

Hi,

Just want to run something by some of you farmers.
I want to hang 3 farm gates (14 ft heavy fully meshed gates) in a T shape off 1 RSJ. 2 gates, say the top of the T can be hung from the clamp type hangers onto the flanges of the RSJ and I was thinking of drilling 2 holes in the RSJ to fit 2 bolt type gate hangers for the third gate (this needs to be left sticking out quite a bit so the gate can open 90degrees in either direction).

Also what length of RSJ do you usually hang your gates from and what size.
I assume 7 - 8 ft at least with say 2.5 ft buried in concrete?

So will 1 RSJ be up to this or should I consider 2 RSJ for the job.
Also, would it be worth galvanising the RSJ or just a good coat of paint.

Any advice appreciated,

RedRag

krazyfarmer

Rsj will twist with 3 gates unless you use very heavy section. Rsj is not good in torsion. Best to use a box section or circular section (pipe) 7 or 8 inch pipe would be ideal. Galvanised would be best finish. Are gates galvanised?

foundation10

I would think that it should support the three if done properly. Firstly ensure that you get a strong rsj not an 204*100, go for something along the lines of 305*165 with about a metre of it in the ground. Ensure that you have a good strong mix around the steel and pack/vibrate so that it grips along the side of the steel, it may be worth welding on a few rebar to steel that goes into ground.
I would galvanise if you can get it done easily as the steel will eventually melt but at least get painted.
For your gates you can get hangers which are treaded think they are sized around M22 and just drill for these. For your sole plates these can be incorporated into the cement mix if you want. I would build the cement up as far as possible to sole plate of the gate.

RedRag

Krazyfarmer, yes the gates will be galvanised.
The supplier of the steel is local and gets a lot of stuff galvanised so getting this done should not be a problem.

Foundation10, yea I know what you mean by welding some re-bar to the RSJ that will be buried in the concrete. Do you know the price of the 305*165 RSJ you mentioned per ft or metre?

tismesoitis

RedRag wrote: »

Krazyfarmer, yes the gates will be galvanised.
The supplier of the steel is local and gets a lot of stuff galvanised so getting this done should not be a problem.

Foundation10, yea I know what you mean by welding some re-bar to the RSJ that will be buried in the concrete. Do you know the price of the 305*165 RSJ you mentioned per ft or metre?

305 x 165 has various weights available from 40-54kgs per meter. at the moment the steel stockholder we deal with is charging 740 per tonne + vat. that would leave your steel costing roughly 30 - 40 euros / meter. not sure if there will be an extra charge for cutting the piece of for you.

RedRag

This is going to be an expensive gate post, but I do plan on only doing this once. Thanks for the info.

RedRag

Would something like the pic in the attachment (hopefully the pic uploaded) be able for the weight and eliminate risk of twisting?
The reason I think this may be an option is I have only seen the clamp type rsj gate hangers in one size, so can anyone tell me if these are made in bigger sizes?

Attie

krazyfarmer wrote: »

Best to use a box section or circular section (pipe) 7 or 8 inch pipe would be ideal. Galvanised would be best finish. Are gates galvanised?

For what it's worth this is the way to go make sure to put planty of power ( size ) to post thats a lot of gate for one post.

http://www.cashels.net/fieldgates.html

cjpm

Jeez it's a total waste of money using an RSJ. As someone else pointed out a heavy circular section is what you want, about 200mm diameter with 8mm or 10mm walls. It looks way better too than dogging some RSJ's together. And all 3 gates can open the full 180 degrees.


1)
Get your supplier to weld 3 flat sections (predrilled) on 3 sides of the top.

2)
If you know the heights of the gates you could weld 3 more flat sections to the 3 sides of the bottom of it for hanging the gates. (Alternatively set the bottom of the gates in Concrete).

2)
Drill a few 1" holes in the bottom of it to allow some of the concrete flow into it in order to prevent it twisting in the ground.

3)
Drill a few 1/2" holes above finished ground level to let out water (or alternatively fill it with concrete when it's set) Avoids it filling with water

4)
Then get it galvanised, when all the welding and drilling is done.

5)
Pour about 1m3 of concrete around it and you're lauging.

RedRag

Yea, RSJ is just gonna be too expensive, I like the sound of what your suggesting cjpm, I think that probably is the way to go. Also I think setting the bottom of the gate in concrete will take some of the stress off of the pillar. Thanks for all the replies folks.

cjpm

RedRag wrote: »

Yea, RSJ is just gonna be too expensive, I like the sound of what your suggesting cjpm, I think that probably is the way to go. Also I think setting the bottom of the gate in concrete will take some of the stress off of the pillar. Thanks for all the replies folks.

There is no way in hell I'd buy a new Circular Hollow Section for that job, a visit to a few scrap yards more like.

Putting the bottom of the gates in concrete makes no real difference to the load on the CHS, as 99% of the stress is coming from the top of the gates. It would be cheaper alright though.

Attie

cjpm wrote: »

There is no way in hell I'd buy a new Circular Hollow Section for that job, a visit to a few scrap yards more like.

Likewise.


Or a good heavy electric pole as they are heaver than telegraph pole and can be drilled for hinging gate just make sure to put some form of protection on top as they rot from top down.
I have done 30 years ago with gate posts but drove my posts reckon I wont have a sore head when they need replacing.

pakalasa

If you want to do a really good job why not put all 3 gates on 360deg rotary hinges, like those used on rotary forcing gates. See pic below. Don't know where you can get the hinges though.

milkprofit

Gate 4 ft or 4.5 ft 1 ft over groynd 3 ft in ground == at least 8.5 ft hanger

yellow50HX

have done something similar in the shed. have a 14ft gate hung from the center pillar to divide the shed. have 2 15 ft gates hung off the back of same pillar to allow access to the area behind it and these can swing down to also divide the shed if i need to.

cut two sections off the pillar and welded them to the back of the pillar and drilled through them to make it steady. then was able to clamp on the gate holders. works a treat and will allow the gates to swing open.
this may be a way you can do it.

if you want a relativly cheap way to make a strong one is to get a steel pipe and then fill the gap with concrete, acts like a re-enfored pillar and you can still put a round clamp on it.

RedRag

Thanks for all the replies. A few good ideas here, I'll have a think about it. Wont be touching the job for another few weeks anyway.

jerdee

Sorry to high jack thread but can anybody tell me where I would get 3ft of 7 inch round pipe in Munster need it to make a sleeve for a pillar that's 6 1/2 inch outside,

pakalasa

Engineering Steels & Materials Ltd

Unit C4, Eastway Business Park, Ballysimon Road
Limerick, Ireland
Ph.: 00353 (0)61 318619 Fax: 00353 (0)61 318620
http://www.engsteelsmaterials.com/index.html

They will be able to source for you also.

jerdee

had a guy to roll same but he is gone on holidays....:D:D:D:D

iverjohnston

Hi, I have spent a few days hanging gates this "Summer", long overdue!
For 14 and 15 foot field gates I have used two 11 foot slats, bolted back to back with brackets and threaded bar. These brackets are used to hang the gate, and when the concrete is set you can loosen the threaded bar and slide the brackets up or down to adjust the ground clearence etc. I have a digger, and dig a 5 foot deep hole, as small as possible with a 12 inch bucket, lift in the bolted up slats, with the T end down, and fill to the top with strong concrete. I will take 2 or 3 mixer fulls to fill to the top, depending on weather you have big stones to trow in with the concrete. The slats were second hand at 8 euro each, and bits of threaded bar and angle iron for the brackets will add a tenner to the cost, plus 3 bags of concrete, so you will be up around €40 per hanging post. Should last if I dont hit them with a trailer or something. You will need some one to help with the job, as the 2 slats are heavy. M in Cavan