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Which Mighty Mule® gate opener is right for my gate?The following guide is a general guide to assist you in finding the right opener for your gate. Please keep in mind that each gate location and climate creates a unique situation particular to each application.
If your swing gate requires a more powerful gate opener than shown above GTO/PRO® gate openers may be appropriate for your application. If your gate is a swing gate that does not exceed 350 or 12 ft. in length, we suggest Mighty Mule® model FM350. If your gate is a single swing gate that does not exceed 500 lbs or 16 ft in length, then the Mighty Mule® model FM500, may be right for you! For double gates, use model FM502. The Mighty Mule® gate openers are designed for home and ranch use and they work on many types of gates including wrought iron, vinyl, chain link, and farm tube and panel gates. They will work on gates that open into the property, and with the optional push-to-open (PTO) brackets, they will open gates that open out from the property. Where can I buy a "Do-It-Yourself" Mighty Mule® gate opener?Find a stocking store or an online retailer. How much does a Mighty Mule® gate opener cost?GTO distributer a complete line of high quality automatic gate openers to be the best value for most automatic gate applications. Mighty Mule® gate openers are an affordable option for the do-it-yourselfer. For your convenience, we ship to distribution centers and retailers across the USA and internationally. Before you purchase, keep in mind; every gate application is unique to that gate and usage. The price of the gate opener system will vary depending upon the number of accessories and the type/model of gate opener you need. Our retailers can give you pricing on the gate opener system that is best for you. We do not sell directly to the public or factory direct to consumers, therefore we do not quote pricing. However, we are happy to refer you to your nearest dealer or retailer for pricing information on our affordable gate opener systems. Find a stocking store or an online retailer. What if the retailer I purchased my Mighty Mule® gate opener from, does not carry the accessories I need?You may purchase Mighty Mule® gate openers and accessories from a retailer near you. If they do not carry the accessory you need, you may special order at the service desk where you purchased your Mighty Mule® gate opener. Find a stocking store or an online retailer.
What are the new features like "Soft Start" & "Soft Stop"?The FM500 and FM502 Mighty Mule® brand of gate openers now have the professional feature of Soft Start and Soft Stop that is featured in much more expensive gate openers. The Mighty Mule® gate opener gently opens and closes the gate, which is less stressful on the gate, gate hinges and the gate opener itself. This extends the life of the gate hardware and the gate opener. How does the gate close?Mighty Mule® gate openers have adjustable programming allowing the gate to open and close exactly where you program it to. The timing of the auto close feature is adjustable from from 0 to 120 seconds. If you wish to have the gate close sooner than programed, push the button on the Mighty Mule® gate opener entry transmitter to activate the gate. What happens if the gate hits something while it is in motion?Mighty Mule® gate openers have a built-in safety obstruction sensor that once activated, causes the gate to stop and reverse its direction. (Like a garage door opener reverses) The sensitivity for this safety feature is fully adjustable. What if I DON'T want my Mighty Mule® gate opener to close automatically?To disable this feature on Mighty Mule Gate Openers (FM700 & FM702) open the control box and turn the dial until the 'auto close' is off. To disable this feature on Mighty Mule Gate Openers (FM500 & FM502) make sure that DIP switch #3 is in the OFF position. See instruction manuals for further details. What about security for my Mighty Mule gate opener?Depending on the length and type of gate, there is a possibility that the end of the gate can flex enough to allow a person or an animal to enter. For maximum stability and additional security, the Mighty Mule® Automatic Gate Lock should be installed; which will lock the gate in the closed position; much like a deadbolt does to the front door of a home. Can I lock my gate?Yes. The Mighty Mule® automatic gate lock will lock the gate and also has a key to manually unlock the lock. Can I manually open the gate after I have installed my Mighty Mule® gate opener?Yes. The opener arm is mounted with clevis pins and clips at both ends of the opener. By removing the pin and clip at either end, the opener can be removed and the gate opened manually. Can anyone remove my Mighty Mule® gate opener by removing the clevis pins?Yes. However, to avoid theft, add the Mighty Mule® pin lock accessory to the front end of the opener, to ensure that only the homeowner can unlock and release the opener.
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Trouble ShootingFor all troubleshooting and/or installation questions please contact our Technical Service Department. Please be prepared to give your name, location, make and model of product, when and where purchased, and of course the nature of your concern. You may contact technical service toll free by phone (800) 543-1236 (USA) or local (850) 575-4144 or by fax at (850) 575-8950. Our Technical Service hours are Monday-Friday 8.:00 am - 7:00 pm (EST) Installation QuestionsI'm a "Do-It-Yourselfer" and I'm planning on installing my Mighty Mule® gate opener myself.For assistance in troubleshooting or further installation questions on your Mighty Mule® gate opener, contact technical service Where can I download or request instruction manuals and brochures?To download Mighty Mule® gate opener instruction manuals click here.What about solar power?If I power my Mighty Mule® gate opener with solar power, how many solar panels do I need?How practical solar power is for your Mighty Mule® gate opener needs to be examined on a case-by case-basis. Factors to consider are: location of gate, type of gate, frequency of use, and how far the gate opener is from a power source etc. Therefore, if you are within a 1000 ft. of a power outlet, we recommend using the transformer that is included with your Mighty Mule Gate Opener. This will provide you with the most consistent charge than you would get from solar charging power. After all options are considered and it is determined that solar charging is your best option.— See charts below for the recommended number of solar panels based on your model, climate zone, and frequency of use. The table and map below illustrate the maximum number of gate cycles to expect per day in a particular area when using solar charging panels with all Mighty Mule® models EXCEPT the FM250.
Installing an optional second battery is recommended for best performance of your gate opener. The chart figures are based on winter sunlight (minimum) and do not account for any other accessory items installed with your opener that draws additional power from your battery.
What does the larger control box offer?The advantage of the larger control box then the previous models and is it prewired for an optional second battery. Having a second battery will improve the number of reliable openings and closings of the gate. GTO, Inc recommends this option especially for solar applications. Transmitters and ReceiversCan I open my garage door opener with my Mighty Mule® entry transmitter?Garage door openers use a different radio frequency than the Mighty Mule® E-Z Gate® Openers does. If you want your Mighty Mule® entry transmitter to activate both, you can purchase a Mighty Mule® garage door receiver (special order) The Mighty Mule® garage door receiver has the same frequency as the Mighty Mule® E-Z Gate® Openers. If your gate and garage are within close range of each other and you wish to have one transmitter to do it all, then you can purchase a two or three button Mighty Mule® entry transmitter (special order) that will operate the openers separately. Can I open my Mighty Mule® E-Z Gate Opener from my house with my Mighty Mule® transmitter?The normal operating range of the Mighty Mule® transmitter is 50 ft. to 100 ft. However, because it uses a radio frequency and is subject to interference by weather conditions, topography, outside interference, etc., the actual range may vary. If your house is within 1000 ft. of your gate, you can place a second set of low voltage wires in the ground at the same time you are running wire for the transformer and connect it to an unlit Push Button inside the house. At the control box simply connect the wires to the accessory terminal block. Can anyone with a Mighty Mule® transmitter be able to open my gate?Not if you personalize your transmitter code. Every Mighty Mule® entry transmitter comes with identical factory settings, but you can personalize your code by repositioning the dip switches inside the Mighty Mule® entry transmitter. Can anyone to open my Mighty Mule® gate operator without my Mighty Mule entry transmitter?Mighty Mule® offers a weatherproof Digital Keypad accessory (for wired or wireless applications) that can be mounted on a post near the gate. The keypad can be programmed with up to 15 different entry codes. These codes can be used by family members, delivery personnel, employees, etc. An additional security feature is the ability to change only one code at a time. For example, you can give a delivery person an entry code and then that particular code can be changed after the delivery, without affecting the other codes. How does climate affect the operation of my Mighty Mule® E-Z gate opener?Will the battery operate my Mighty Mule® E-Z Gate® Openers in extreme heat or cold?Yes! Mighty Mule® E-Z Gate® openers operate in all types of weather. Because of the battery's design, extreme cold may cause it to operate a little slower than under normal conditions. (May require a heater in weather below -5 degrees). Does lightning affect the Mighty Mule® E-Z Gate® Openers?No electrical device can withstand a direct lightning hit. However, the Mighty Mule® E-Z Gate® Openers does have built-in ground paths on the control board designed to diffuse normal static charges created by lightning. Back
Mighty Mule® E-Z Gate® Openers models (FM500,
FM502, FM700, FM702) are operated by a 12 Volt, 7.0 amp-hour battery
which also provides battery backup during a power outage. (The FM250
contains a 12 Volt 1.2 amp-hour battery.) On the average, a fully charged 12 volt, 7.0 amp-hour
battery will provide fifty (50) cycles during a power outage. The number
of cycles may vary depending on factors such as the type and size of
gate, number of added accessories, and weather conditions. Each Mighty Mule® E-Z Gate® opener kit comes
with a transformer that plugs into any 110/120 electrical outlet and
provides a trickle charge to the battery. The transformer is connected
to the control box with up to 1000 ft. of Mighty Mule® E-Z
Gate® openers 16 gauge, multi-stranded, dual conductor, direct burial,
low voltage wire (not provided). If there is not a standard outlet within
1000 ft. of the control box, the battery charge can be maintained with
optional solar panel(s). (The Mighty Mule FM250 is NOT solar compatible)
If an outlet is located outside, the transformer can be placed inside
a weatherproof electrical box and connected to the control box with Mighty
Mule® E-Z
Gate® openers
low voltage wire. |
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