How to Install PalmSHIELD Cantilever Slide Gates

PalmSHIELD prides ourselves on having a reputation of being the most user-friendly architectural commercial cantilever slide or rolling gate manufacturer.   We have been working directly with installers for over a decade to improve our cantilever slide gate installation process.

Important items to review at the start of the commercial slide gate installation 

• Every PalmSHIELD commercial cantilever slide gate is based on a drawing.  This drawing is the basis for your installation.  Please follow this drawing.
• Unless stated otherwise on your fabrication drawing, PalmSHIELD systems are to be installed level. As most systems are installed outdoors, most exterior paving is not level.  If your surface is not level, you will need to verify and plan accordingly. 
• Review the slide of your gate.  Will it interfere with any other surface like raised equipment pads, change in elevation and curbing? 

Commercial cantilever slide gate hardware included with a PalmSHIELD system

1. Truck assemblies.  Depending on whether you gate is a double or single track system, you will receive two or four trucks respectively.  These will slide in the gate track and mount to the upper track brackets.
2. Truck brackets.  For each truck assembly, you will receive a truck bracket.  Truck brackets are mounted to the gate post and the truck is mounted to the bracket.
3. Bottom guide rollers. You will receive two bottom guide rollers.  The cantilever slide gate will slide between the rollers.  The guide rollers are mounted to the gate posts.
4. Locking devices.  Depending upon your design, you will receive a locking device pre-installed or packaged.  The locking device mounts to the nose of the gate and the gate receiver post. 

Commercial cantilever slide gate hardware not included

• Post anchors are not included.  Based on 4000 psi concrete, you may consider 5/8” x 6” epoxy anchors or 5/8” x  5 ½” wedge anchors.  PalmSHIELD is not responsible for determining anchor type or installations.  This should be determined by qualified individual based on site conditions. 
• Padlocks for locking devices.

Commercial cantilever slide gate pre-installation plan

1. Using some form of marking chalk or tape, layout your gate in accordance with your included fabrication drawings.  If you do not have these drawings, please inquire with PalmSHIELD for a copy.
2. Layout each post based on the inside to inside of gate opening dimensions stated on the drawing.
3. Mark-out the full slide of the gate in the full closed to full open position. 
4. Verify the slide gate does not impact other objects or interfere with access requirements. 
5. If concerned about changing elevations, identify the highest elevation impacted by the full slide of your gate against the gate post spot elevation. 
6. Verify if the change in this elevation is greater than the gap shown on the drawing from the bottom of the gate to top of surface. 
7. If greater, the gate will bottom-out before fully opening or closing.
8. Regardless if the gate bottoms-out or not, you may want to raise the gate to maintain the gap. 
9. If a double drive cantilever slide gate, you will have to raise both gates equally so the locking mechanism still aligns.
10. If a single cantilever slide gate, you will have to raise the latch post equally so the locking mechanism still aligns.
11. Verify your commercial commercial slide gate and gate posts dimensions compared to your fabrication drawings to assure the gate and posts were accurately fabricated.  If you identify an error, please contact us as soon as possible and prior to any installation.  PalmSHIELD will be responsible for fabrication errors but not installation costs as a result of these errors. 

Commercial cantilever slide gate installation steps

1. Using the gate post base plate template provided with your order,
   • Use the template to align the gate post to your site markings. 
   • Make sure the gate post base plate runs parallel to the gate in the closed position.  In other words, it is not twisted. 
   • Mark the center of the anchor holes for gate posts.
2. Set your anchors.
3. Set your gate posts.  Make sure your post is plumb in all directions. 
4. Install the truck brackets on the gate posts per the fabrication drawings.  The brackets are angle shaped.  The horizontal leg of the angle is installed up.  The bracket should be installed on the same side of the post where the gate is to be installed.  The height of these brackets will determine the overall height of the gate.  It is important that the brackets are installed level to one another.  If not, the gate will slope and potentially roll under it is own force, causing damage or harm to others. 
5. Use a level to bridge the brackets to assure the brackets are installed level.  If not, adjust accordingly.
6. Install the two bottom rollers.  The rollers are to be installed up with the horizontal bracket toward the bottom as per your fabrication drawings.  These should be installed loose initially to be adjusted later once the gate is installed.
7. Install the gate.
   • Remove the cantilever gate track rear stop bolt from the back of the gate.  The stop bolts are located at the ends of the upper track.  These are installed horizontally through the track.  When in place, these prevent the gate from coming off the track. 
   • Position the cantilever gate so that the tail of the gate may be slid onto and down the first roller assembly. 
   • To do this, you will need to position the tail of the gate aligned with the first roller closest to the opening. The cantilever gate will need to be parallel to the opening. 
   • Lift the gate so that the roller is aligned to the track.  Now, slide the cantilever gate onto the roller and then onto the next roller.
   • Re-install the gate track rear stop bolt. 
   • Center the cantilever gate between the truck assemblies. 
   • Place a level on the gate to be sure it is level.  If not level, raise or lower one of the two truck bracket assemblies on the post. 
   • At the same time, check the cantilever gate for height.  It is typical for the top of the gate to be aligned with the top of the adjoining screening or fence.  The cantilever gate will should have an approximate 5” gap from underside of gate to top of slab below.
   • Once the gate is positioned for height and level.  Roll the cantilever gate fully opened and closed to be sure it does not interfere with any adjoining surface or obstacle. 
8. If everything is adjusted, install the latch assembly.
9. Loosen and raise the bottom roller assemblies so that the rollers fully capture the bottom track.  There should be a 1” clearance from the roller assembly bottom support to the underside of the track. 
10. Adjust the rollers in and out so that you maintain a ½” clearance between the rollers and bottom gate track. 
11. Roll the cantilever gate open and close to be sure it does not interfere with the bottom roller assemblies and roller.  If if does, adjust accordingly.  If it does not, tighten the rollers and assembly to the post.
12. PalmSHIELD includes touch-up paint.  Closely inspect your installation for any chips or scratches.  Hold the can 6” to 8” from the area to be painted and sweep across it until entirely covered.  The paint will blend with the powder coated surface. 

Required Commercial Cantilever Slide Gate Tools

• Socket set
• Set of open end wrenches.
• Hammer drill bits for anchors. To be determined by contractor.
• 1 ½” hammer drill or core bit for drop rods (if required).
• Hammer drill bits.
• Level
• Marking tape or paint
• String line.
• Rubber mallet