4. Procedure (Main Process)

• In all cases when we service you should check, adjust and repair as appropriate. Many items on the list are repairable on a service visit and this is what customers are paying for. This includes adjusting gates, adjusting limit switches, replacing corroded terminals with Wagos or jelly crimps, sealing components etc... Only works that would obviously take you over the allocated time, eg replacing a rusty control box, replacing a worn motor, creating new drainage, should be quoted for separately for completeion at a later date. Note, photograph and quote!

• As long as the gates are operational when we arrive, we can carry out a full service. It’s similar to an MOT — you pay for the inspection whether the car passes or not. Even if we notice a significant issue, we still complete the service because the customer has asked for a full assessment of their system, not just the obvious problems like a rotten gate post. For example, if we were to postpone the service due to a rotten post and later discover both motors had failed and the safety systems were down, the customer would have wasted money repairing the post unnecessarily. In that case, they might have been better off replacing the whole system — but by then it would be too late.

• Every service includes a safety check in Appsheet. This is the time to do a thoruough check including making notes and photos of all makes and model numbers for main components, eg motors, intercoms, keypads. Even if a safety check has been done in the past, do another one to ensure any price increases are applied.

• We allow 90 minutes for a service. This averages out over time. Some take 45 minutes, some take 2 hours. 

A. Mechanical Checks

• Inspect and grease hinges or pivot points, motor linkages, front and rear motor connection points.

• Check for sag, bounce, or excessive play/wear in hinges.

• Tighten fixings and look for water ingress or corrosion to underground motors.

• Adjust hinges if necessary to restore alignment.

• Confirm the gates close onto centre stop with the correct clearance.

• Inspect the gate structure for splits in timber, rust, rot or stress around hinge plates.

• Check gates physical integrity.

• Touch up the paint if appropriate, eg on motor brackets.

B. Motor and Limit Settings

• Test manual release (location and availability of keys, confirm customer knows how to use them)

• Grease manual releases, BFT ELI can have a grease nipple fitted.

• Check and adjust opening/closing limits — leave 1–2 mm before contact with stops.

• Run several open/close cycles to confirm smooth and controlled movement.

• Physically, carefully, try to hold the gate back to check how hard it pushes. It should be hard enough for reliable functioning, soft enough not to damage people or property. You should be able to stop the gate by hand.

• Inspect motor brackets and geometry — no over-travel or awkward angles. Check brackets are tight.

• Clean the bulk of dirt from groundboxes, unblock drainage holes.

• Check drainage around underground motors, use a bucket of water to confirm. It should drain out in under 30 seconds.

• Check play in any underground motors with splined collars, note in cm the amount of play at the end of the gate.

• Check/top-up oil on hydraulic systems and check for leaks.

• Check mechanical and electrical limit stops and switches, ensure positions are good and lock nuts are tight or apply locktite. Don't let gates open onto objects like kerbs, wall, dense bushes.

• Wipe over motor covers.

C. Safety Devices

• Photobeams: clean, align, test, seal, replace batteries if wireless. Seal cable entry points with silicon.

• Safety edges: test activation, replace batteries, inspect sealing and fixings. Check drain holes are correct, cables are dry. 

• Check compliance with EN12453 — all entrapment zones covered, no gaps. Something may have changed since the last time we checked, take nothing for granted. See separate lesson on using the Appsheet app "Crush Zone" for this.

D. Electrical

• Check enclosures are watertight to approriate IP rating

• Check motor windings, L1-N + L2-N = L1-L2. Note abnormal reading.

• Check loops <2 MOhms insulation and <5 Ohms > 0.2 Ohms end to end.

• Check control box is up to standards, no exposed 230v, no rust holes, no leaks, no structural damage.

• Check isolator works and is present. Gates should have a means of isolation withing 3m.

• Check connection boxes are watertight, motor connections, all Wiska boxes.

• Apply warning stickers.

D. Final Testing

• Before you leave cycle the gates open/closed multiple times.

• Listen for abnormal sounds or excessive motor strain.

• Test force/torque shutoff if safe.

• Check for drift on hydraulic operators when powered off.

E. Customer Follow-up

• Demonstrate manual release.

• Explain safety findings and any compliance gaps.

• Recommend upgrades or maintenance where useful eg:
  Replacement transmitters
  Drainage improvements for underground motors
  Updated control panels/intercom
  Extra safety devices
  App-based access options

• Anything else you would like to see improved. Remember most customers like to prevent issues in advance!

F. Documentation

• Complete Appsheet: Select “Service and safety”, log notes, photos, safety checks, and signature. This includes a safety check, this is important.

• Complete Clik: Record all tasks, photos, time spent, parts replaced, further actions, and safety compliance. Note who you spoke to and summary of discussions.

• Add fresh photos to both apps, things may have changed since the last visit.