In this article, I will describe how to hang a field gate from start to finish.
How to hang a field gate
Measure the length of the gate you want to hang.
Add 6 inches 150mm to the gate length (4″ 100mm for the gate hanger brackets and 2″ 50mm clearance at the bar closer side)
This distance will be the inside measurement of your gateposts, mark the ground where the posts should go.
Measure the height of the gate and add 6 inches 150mm clearance to the bottom and leave 6″ 150mm of post sticking above the gate.
Mark these measurements on the post. The remainder of the post needs to go into the ground.
Setting the depth of the gatepost
The depth the post should go into the ground should be relative to the weight and length of the gate being hung on it, but on average you need to put a post at least 2 feet deep into the ground.
For example:
A 5 foot (1.5 meter) gate should have a post at least 2 feet (0.6 meters) into the ground, whereas A 15 foot (5 meter) gate should have a post at least 3 to 4 feet (1 meter) into the ground.
For large gates, railway sleepers make a great post – really rigid, long and they last a very long time.
Dig out the gatepost holes
Dig the hole out with a narrow bucket on a digger or by hand using a spade if you desire – beware it is quite a bit of work by hand.
When the hole is dug set the post into the ground and fill the earth around the post making sure the post is plumb both ways and pack it in nice and firm with a sledge.
Big flat stones or blocks are a good idea to put in the front side of the post to prevent the gate from pulling it off the plumb.
Hang your gate
Fit the hanger brackets and gate
Bore a hole in the closing side post for the bar to go into.
If the hanger brackets are adjustable you can move these to level your gate.
