Entry Systems has been installing automatic electric gate systems in Orange County since 1972. We are licensed, bonded, and insured. Read more about us here. We specialize in working with each customer to customize an automatic gate opener system to fit their individual needs. We stand ready to assist you in choosing the correct operator for your installation and offer a variety of manufacturers and products. Below you can see examples of systems we commonly install in Orange County, California.

Call us today for a free estimate! (949) 495-0835

This is an image of a wood swing automatic gate in front of a residential home.

Types of Gates and Gate Operators

There are two basic types of gates commonly installed on residential properties: swinging and sliding. Gate operators, like gates, come in two basic types, swing and slide. The names are self-explanatory. The installation site frequently dictates the type of gate chosen. Some gates will work where others won’t. See emeritus gate manager Greg Bishop’s blog, “Can I Have A Gate,” for more information about space requirements.

Gates can be made out of many different materials. The most common are ornamental iron, wrought iron, wood, aluminum, and vinyl. Each has its pros and cons.

  • Ornamental iron is the most common. The various parts of the gate are made from different sizes of metal tubing. Minimal maintenance is required, but it must be metalized (anti-rust treatment) when manufactured. Be sure to maintain the paint finish.
  • Wrought iron is solid, not tubular. Therefore, minimal maintenance is required except for the paint job. However, the main negatives are the weight, as it is much heavier than ornamental iron. It is also more expensive than ornamental iron.
  • Wood is beautiful, but it is very high maintenance, and an all-wood gate will also sag and warp. If you want the look and appeal of wood, the gate frame should be steel with wood applied to the face. Strength and beauty combined.
  • Aluminum is very lightweight and strong but requires specialized skills and tools to produce, repair, and maintain. While it might appear similar to ornamental iron, there are noticeable differences. All the corners of the aluminum tubing are very crisp, not rounded like ornamental iron. The overall appearance is very “modern.”
  • Vinyl is the least expensive and the most problematic to automate. It is not very strong, won’t hold a screw under stress, and needs strategic reinforcement to avoid tearing when automated. On the other hand, vinyl is very low maintenance.

Swing Gate Openers

Swinging gate operators are used when a gate (or two gates) open inward or outward. They come in three different varieties: ground-mounted, actuator, and subterranean.

  • Ground-mounted operators are the most common. They mount on concrete mounting pads next to the gate and behind the gate hinge post. Most commercial and community associations have ground-mounted operators.
  • Actuators, sometimes described as telescoping arms, mount directly on the gate. As a result, they require less side room than a traditional ground-mounted unit. Actuators are most commonly seen installed on residential gates.
  • Underground subterranean gate operators mount in the driveway directly below the hinges. They are the least visible variety of swing gate operators. While they can be retrofitted into an existing driveway, they are most suited to a new installation.

This is an image of a solar powered driveway gate opener.

LA500UL
24VDC Residential/Light Commercial Linear Actuator
  • Battery Backup
  • Internet Connectivity
  • Solar-Power Capabilities
  • Wireless Dual-Gate Communication
  • Fire department compliant
  • 24VDC motor with soft start/stop
  • Rated for gates up to 18 ft. in length or weighing up to 1,600 lbs.
  • 300 cycles per day

This is an image of a linear gate operator system.

LA400UL
224VDC Residential Linear Actuator
  • Battery Backup
  • Internet Connectivity
  • Solar-Power Capabilities
  • Wireless Dual-Gate Communication
  • Fire department compliant
  • 24VDC motor with soft start/stop
  • Rated for gates up to 16 ft. in length or weighing up to 850lbs.
  • 100 cycles per day

This is an image of a LIftmaster gate opener.

CSW24UL
24VDC High Traffic Commercial Swing Operator
  • For heavy-traffic swing gate applications
  • Battery Backup
  • Internet Connectivity
  • Solar-Power Capabilities
  • Wireless Dual-Gate Communication
  • Fire department compliant
  • 24VDC motor with soft start/stop
  • Rated for gates up to 18 ft. in length or weighing up to 1,600 lbs.

This is an image of a MAX automatic driveway gate opener.

MAX Megatron 1400
Swing Gate Operator
  • Capable of opening gates up to 1400 lbs./15 ft. or 1200 lbs./20 ft.
  • Fast speed direct drive (no chains, belts, or pulleys) opens the gate 90 degrees from 11.5 to 18 seconds based on the weight of the gate and selectable speed control.
  • AGM 7 amp hour battery back up enabling over 400 cycles in case of power failure.

This is an image of a swing gate opener system called Ultra Max for driveway residential gate systems.

MAX Ultra Arm
Swing Gate Operator
  • 24VDC Residential/Light Commercial Actuator Arm

This is an image of a linear gate operator that works on commercial and residential gate systems.

MAX Super Arm 2300
Swing Gate Operator
  • 24VDC Heavy Duty Commercial Actuator Arm

This is an image of a Max Controls Swing Gate Opener.

MAX Megatron 2200 HP Pro
Swing Gate Operator
  • High Traffic Commercial Brushless 24 V DC
  • Capable of 2500 lbs for gates up to 15ft or 1800lb for gates up to 20ft

This is an image of the AllOMatic 350 swing gate operator.

All-O-Matic SW350DC
Swing Gate Operator

This is an image of the Allomatic SW300DC swing gate operator.

All-O-Matic SW300DC
Swing Gate Operator

Slide Gate Openers

Sliding operators are used when there is limited space, so the gate must run parallel to a fence or wall. There are two primary types of slide gate operators, chain drive and rack and pinion. Both are mounted on concrete pads.

  • The chain drive is self-explanatory; a visible chain moves the gate. The operator can be installed next to the driveway (most common), rear-mounted next to the far end of the gate when open, or anywhere in between.
  • Slide gates can also be driven with a rack and pinion. The rack is mounted to the gate, and the pinion is in the gate operator. Unfortunately, rack and pinion are seen far less frequently than the chain drive, and only a few manufacturers offer it.

This is an image of a car going through an automatic gate system available for installation in HOAs and apartment complexes in Orange County, CA.

CSL24UL
Slide Gate Operator

24VDC High Traffic Commercial Slide Gate Operator ideal for most demanding slide gate environments

  • Battery Backup
  • Internet Connectivity
  • Solar-Power Capabilities
  • Wireless Dual-Gate Communication
  • Fire department compliant
  • 24VDC motor with soft start/stop
  • Rated for gates up to 50 ft. in length or weighing up to 1,500 lbs.

This is an image of a sliding driveway gate opener.

Max 1500 Pro Slide
Slide Gate Operator
  • Robotic DSP controlled machines perfect for use in high traffic gated communities, commercial/industrial applications and public storage facilities.
  • Capable of moving 1500 lb. gates to a maximum gate length of 25 ft.
  • 24V brushless DC motor

This is an image of a driveway gate motor manufactured by All-O-Matic.

All-O-Matic SL150DC Slider
Slide Gate Operator
  • Can handle heavy traffic, commercial/industrial heavy gates, and/or extreme weather conditions.
  • Heavy-duty frame, reliable gearbox, and powerful brushless DC motor
  • Option of ½ HP and 1HP motors capable of moving up to 3,000 lb. and 4,000 lb. gates, respectively.

This is an image of a sliding gate motor made by All-O-Matic and available for installation in Orange County, CA.

All-O-Matic SL100AC Slider
Slide Gate Operator
  • Can move gates that are up to 1,000 lbs. and 37 feet wide.
  • Offers an optional emergency foot pedal release.

This is an image of a Max Controls Swing Gate Opener.

MAX 2200 Pro
Slide Gate Operator
  • High Traffic Commercial Brushless 24V DC Slide Gate Operators
  • Capable of 2200lbs. for gates up to 60ft