12 foot field gate, how to stop it drooping?

[Rollerball]

I have a 12 foot wooden field gate, it's about two years old, it seems to be a bit 'cheap and cheerful' and over the years I've had to use wood glue and long screws where some of the angled pieces are attached to the horizontals. Despite doing this it continues to very slowly droop over the course of a few months.

What can I do to strengthen it, or is my best option to buy a better 12 foot gate?

If the latter, any recommendations please on a decent manufacturer?

 

[Dereekoo]

All depends how it's put together, picture would help

 

[lostinthelight]

.

 

[Rollerball]

All depends how it's put together, picture would help

Can't get a photo right now as it's chucking it down with rain but it's a six bar and this is the same type in terms of appearance, the bracing, how it's put together, etc:

https://www.batsfordtimber.co.uk/image/cache/catalog/Products/Gates-Posts-Fittings/11-Welsh-Gate-800x800.jpg

 

[foxhole]

You could add gate wire tensioner from corners .

 

[opps]

You could add gate wire tensioner from corners .

I know nothing about this... how would the wire help? And how would it be introduced in the current set up? Not intended as a snarky reply. In the event that I come across a similar case scenario I would like to be able to offer advice.

Tnx,

 

[JohnD]

If you put a ring bolt in the top corner in the hinge side, and the bottom corner on the latch side, and pull them together, this will lift the latch side.

A sagging gate is trapezoid, and shortening the diagonal will change its shape.

If you do that, I strongly recommend having a metal plate and a nut on both sides as the bolt is liable to tilt and tear into the wood. There will be a lot of force on it.

When you first tighten it, lever or jack up the gate first so your tensioner just holds it in place, rather than trying to create the initial shape.

Another thing you can do, if the ground by the gate is flat and level, is add a jockey wheel to the latch side to take the weight.

Edit
It is probably a parallelogram, not a trapezoid.

 

[JohnD]

Yes, that's it

 

[foxhole]

I know nothing about this... how would the wire help? And how would it be introduced in the current set up? Not intended as a snarky reply. In the event that I come across a similar case scenario I would like to be able to offer advice.

Tnx,

Basic idea here, though lots of variations depending on gate construction.

 

[foxhole]

A rigid bar is also an option.

 

[JohnD]

The corner brackets are good.

It would look more elegant with a length of studding rather than wire.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

I know nothing about this... how would the wire help? And how would it be introduced in the current set up? Not intended as a snarky reply. In the event that I come across a similar case scenario I would like to be able to offer advice.

A strong L bracket, mounted on the vertical timber, close to the top hinge on the gate. A similar one, at the bottom, at the opening end of the gate. Link the two brackets, with some steel wire rope, with a turn buckle, to enable to wire to be tightened. Fit a similar arrangement, to match it on the back of the gate, tighten up equally, to avoid the gate twisting, and it will help take the weight of the gate.

 

[big-all]

Measure the diagonals first to check iff the gate is ok and the hinges or post are causing the problem

 

[DAZB]

A simple Jockey wheel will solve it like the type below...

Heavy Duty Spring Loaded Metal & Rubber Gate Wheel Castor 100mm 80KG | eBay

HEAVY DUTY CASTER -- Rubber gate wheel has a maximum load capacity of 80kg and can also withstand exposure to chemicals and solvents. 21 x Flexible Chimney Sweep Set Flue Sweeping Brush Rod Kit Soot Cleaning Rods.

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[foxhole]

A simple Jockey wheel will solve it like the type below...

Heavy Duty Spring Loaded Metal & Rubber Gate Wheel Castor 100mm 80KG | eBay

HEAVY DUTY CASTER -- Rubber gate wheel has a maximum load capacity of 80kg and can also withstand exposure to chemicals and solvents. 21 x Flexible Chimney Sweep Set Flue Sweeping Brush Rod Kit Soot Cleaning Rods.

www.ebay.co.uk

Assuming it’s on a hard standing , not much use over gravel or mud.