BFT SubR not opening/closing sometimes

[Jimmyboy4]

Hello,
I've had a pair of domestic gates for around 25 years which have been very reliable. Recently one leaf opens OK but on closing pauses midway ( and at that point you can move it manually for about a foot with no resistance) and if you leave it alone then it closes. Last week it opened OK but wouldn't close without me helping it by pushing then it started to not open as well. I can hear the motor running but the gate doesn't move. Other times it opens and closes normally.

I tried to undo the manual release triangular screw and while it turned a bit, the gate wouldn't release.

The oil hasn't been checked or changed for a while so I'm wondering if this is the solution or if there is air in the system that needs bled. I have the original manual but am reluctant to touch the bleed screws in case they break. A guy on a YouTube video says you can bleed the air via the manual release. I've also greased the top hinge so it isn't that.

It has been -5 degrees last week so perhaps the cold weather has affected it but it's not stuck to the gate stops or top hinge.

Any guidance/advice would be appreciated. Would like to try and avoid having to get the motor replaced if possible.

Thanks

[JoeF]

Hello,
I've had a pair of domestic gates for around 25 years which have been very reliable. Recently one leaf opens OK but on closing pauses midway ( and at that point you can move it manually for about a foot with no resistance) and if you leave it alone then it closes. Last week it opened OK but wouldn't close without me helping it by pushing then it started to not open as well. I can hear the motor running but the gate doesn't move. Other times it opens and closes normally.

I tried to undo the manual release triangular screw and while it turned a bit, the gate wouldn't release.

The oil hasn't been checked or changed for a while so I'm wondering if this is the solution or if there is air in the system that needs bled. I have the original manual but am reluctant to touch the bleed screws in case they break. A guy on a YouTube video says you can bleed the air via the manual release. I've also greased the top hinge so it isn't that.

It has been -5 degrees last week so perhaps the cold weather has affected it but it's not stuck to the gate stops or top hinge.

Any guidance/advice would be appreciated. Would like to try and avoid having to get the motor replaced if possible.

Thanks

Hi,

thanks for the message,

it sounds to me it may be associated with the hydraulic force of the motor which is adjusted by the valves on the motor, can you confirm the model number of the motor?

Regards Joe

[Jimmyboy4]

Hi Joe,
thanks for your reply. It's the underground Sub R motor with slowdown facility fitted in 1996. The good news is that as the temperature has now risen to above zero they are working again as before and opening and closing fine. The only issue I have had for some time is that on closing, one leaf stops mid cycle then starts again and closes. I'm wondering if it needs bled and/or topped up with fluid.
Regards
Jim

[SamA]

Hi Joe,
thanks for your reply. It's the underground Sub R motor with slowdown facility fitted in 1996. The good news is that as the temperature has now risen to above zero they are working again as before and opening and closing fine. The only issue I have had for some time is that on closing, one leaf stops mid cycle then starts again and closes. I'm wondering if it needs bled and/or topped up with fluid.
Regards
Jim

Hi Jim,

Usually if the gate stops halfway through a cycle this is due to resistance, I would recommend increasing the force via the control board incrementally or you could top the fluid up to make sure the hydraulic pressure is where it needs to be to bypass certain resistances.

Kindest Regards,

Sam.