Plow On
We received a little bit of snow this first week of 2026. And two things are clear. 1st, our area needs the snow. And 2nd, we unfortunately have to shovel snow to dig out gates, so they open and close.
Whether gates are manually operated or automated, they work best and are less trouble if the snow is cleared away. Just like you clear off your windows before moving your car, you should do the same with your gates. Clear their path of travel.
If you know it’s going to snow and can do so, leave any gates you need to use open. It’s easier to plow on through the opening rather than working around closed gates.
But whatever you do, don’t use a gate as a snowplow! It could damage the hardware and the gate. If it’s an automated gate, it would void any warranties on the operator and could create a dangerous situation using the gate as a plow.
To help keep gates working efficiently, lubricate moving parts with a water repellent product to reduce seizing in cold and wet conditions. For swing gates that means lubricating hinges and latches. On a slide gate, that could mean lubricating either the gate tracks or gate frame, wheels, and latches.
And if you have an automated gate, make sure the operators, accessories like photo eyes and keypads, chains, solar panels, etc. are clear of snow and ice as well.
Pictured: Tahoe Fence ornamental steel drive gates with bias (racked to follow slope of ground) and positive compound arch top at Tahoe City (Placer County.)
