[roofgoat]

For Item #2, should have stated to keep “IN” our chickens, goats and dogs.

Thanks

[Jet Jaguar]

Install a doorbell outside the gate.

[kingu]

You can always stick an intercom if someone’s going to be home at the gate. If no one’s going to be there, you can get mail boxes to handle the USPS deliveries - FedEx and UPS - if you've got a regular driver, you can make arrangements with them, but probably better to have them delivered to a local service rather than to your home (many Mailbox Etcs will receive packages for you.)

Key for property gates is maintenance and addressing issues as soon as they show up, not putting it off for later. You take good care of it, they'll last for a long time. You don't, they'll fail if automated in a very short time. Professional installation by a reputable contractor (who also will file for the appropriate permits) is also a good idea - nothing like the surprise court summons for installing property gates that don't comply with zoning laws.

[minnesota_bound]

First thing is you want to electrify the gate.
Second to handle UPS/FedEx/US Mail Box deliveries, have the gate robot arm pick up the package direct from their hands and then fling it to your door step.

...free range goats and chickens?
You must live in New York city.

[gorush]

We have two gates that span 20’ total. I put three posts on each side of the driveway for a firm brace. A box can be built onto the posts for concealing delivered packages.

[Cementjungle]

Had driveway gates on both the houses I lived in back in Los Angeles (bars on windows too of course). Both were swinging gates, wrought iron. We had one motorized... which was nice. It had a remote control, and a battery in the motor in case of a power outage. Worked great for many years... cost to add the motor to the existing swinging gate was around $2K.

The only problem with the iron gates though is they need to be fixed every few years due to corrosion from people (bums, etc.) peeing on them.

[babygene]

I thought about installing a sliding gate but haven’t done it yet. My plan was to use a garage door opener to power it. (comes with a remote...)

[lowbridge]

“Don’t need anything hardcore or fancy. Not trying to keep out bad guys.”

So whats wrong with a couple of .50 caliber machine gun nests? Or is that too old fashioned?

[South40]

Used to.

I live in a less fire prone area now.

[MeganC]

Our house is two miles from the main road and we keep a garage out at the road for our pickup trucks (we get to the house and back on snowmobiles in the winter).
We also use the garage for package drops.

Our gate is nothing special it’s just a regular pasture gate.

[CodeToad]

Don’t know in your area but our PO allows the mailman to have a code to get in. Our PO says that isn’t usually the case though. locally, they prefer regular mail to be outside the gate in a normal mailbox and larger package delivery to be inside the gate. Again, it seems that is a local practice. Ask your local post office what they allow. You’ll get great advice even for UPS/FedEx delivery. Of course, you can simply call UPS/FedEx and ask them, too.

[Haiku Guy]

Gatedepot.com has a nice selection at pretty good prices.

Over design it. Nobody ever regretted spending a little more for a stronger actuator.

[Rio]

I’m looking at cantilever designs. Our local fencing company has several examples around town. Can’t do normal sliding as the track would trip my snowplow. Swinging gates are annoying. I haven’t had it quoted yet.

example: http://www.amazinggates.com/Cantilever_Gate_System_s/68.htm

[theneanderthal]

I just use a garage door opener mounted horizontally to open a sliding gate on my driveway.My old Genie has been in service for ten years with an occasional lube. The other three gates are locked and manual. My neighbor across the street tried a swinging gate, touch pad, remote etc. He had three service calls within two weeks and went manual for his driveway.

[spokeshave]

One of these:

Or if you want to go medieval:

[TexasBarak]

One of my brothers builds and installs custom gates, complete with opener. Turnkey job- six grand. He stays plenty busy.