Trackless sliding gate vs track gate
Why a suspended cantilever leaf outlasts a wheel-on-rail sliding gate on dirty, sloped or icy ground.
Side-by-side
| Trackless cantilever gate | Track sliding gate | |
|---|---|---|
| Ground in the opening | Nothing. Leaf hangs 110-133 mm above | Steel rail or V-track across the drive |
| Debris, snow, sand | No effect on travel | Can jam wheels and derail the gate |
| Sloped or uneven drive | Works; foundation only beside the opening | Needs a level, continuous rail |
| Truck and forklift traffic | Crosses a clean surface | Rail is struck and wears |
| Side space needed | About 1.5x the opening | About 1x the opening |
| Foundation | Pad for cabinet, carriage and gantry | Full-length rail beam |
Side space figure from the CAIMEN gate length table, where total gate length equals 1.5 times the clear opening.
All the precision sits beside the opening
A trackless gate moves the critical alignment work off the driveway. The cabinet, gantry and hanger wheels sit on embedded plates set in 800 x 800 x 800 mm concrete pits of at least C20, leveled to within 10 mm of each other.
Get those pads right and the leaf runs true for years.
Not sure which gate fits?
Send site photos and we will tell you honestly whether a cantilever gate is the right choice.
Or email yifei@gmail.com
