How to balance a Magnetic gate arm

PURPOSE

The gate arm is balanced by a set of balancing springs located inside the gate housing. The balancing springs provides enough tension to keep the gate arm balanced when it is in the 30-degree angle. When the gate arm is properly balanced, the motor does not have to work as hard to open or close the gate. This will help maximize the lifespan of the motor. The lever force that balances the gate arm is not only determined by the spring tension, but also by the number of springs installed.

PROCESS

NOTE: The balancing springs should only be checked or adjusted with the power off and the gate arm in the up position. Failure to do so could result in serious crushing injuries.
Unlock the gate and remove the top cover.
Ensure the gate arm is in the up position.
Remove the front panel by sliding it upward until the panel is free of the gate.
Turn off the gate power switch.
Place the gate arm in the 30-degree position manually by using a screwdriver to push through the upper tool bore to disengage the motor.
Let go of the gate arm.
- If the gate arm remains at the 30-degree angle, no adjustment is needed.
- If the arm falls below 30 degrees, the spring tension is too low and should be adjusted to a higher level.
- If the arm rises above 30 degrees, the spring tension is too high and should be adjusted to a lower level.
To adjust the spring tension, the spring bracket bolts should be adjusted before removing or adding springs.
Remove the gate's rear panel by loosening and removing the two 3mm securing screws and sliding the rear panel upwards until it is free from the gate housing.
Loosen the locknuts that are securing the spring assembly bolts to the bracket the bolts are screwed in to.
Adjust the bolts equally clockwise if the spring tension is too low. Adjust the bolts counterclockwise if the spring tension is too high.
- If the spring tension cannot be adjusted to a low enough level to keep the gate arm balanced at 30 degrees, it may be necessary to remove one spring to relieve enough tension. If a spring needs to be removed, continue adjusting the bolts until the correct tension level is reached.
- When the correct spring tension is reached, tighten the locknuts that were loosened in Step 9.

HISTORY

Revised Date Revised By Revisions Unknown Unknown Document created 11/3/2023 Yolanda Terrazas-Franco Formatting updated. 4/25/2023 Andrew Poskey Updated to Mister Formatting. 10/30/2021 Karl Futscher Document checked for sensitive content. 8/7/2024 Andrew Poskey Moved to Fresh
3/14/2025 Andrew Poskey Updated title formatting