Automatic Gate Latch - Wooden Gates for Bucks, Berks, Herts & Oxon

Gatemate Self Locking Gate Catch Galvanised – Secure Timber Gate Latch

sharpfencing — Thu, 31 Dec 2015 09:20:17 +0000

Gatemate Self Locking Gate Catch Galvanised – Secure Timber Gate Latch

Overview

The Gatemate Self Locking Galvanised Gate Catch (commonly known as an auto-catch or gravity latch) is an essential hardware choice for properties requiring reliable containment. Standard slide bolts require you to manually align and lock them, which is easily forgotten. This self-locking latch solves that risk completely—whether pushed closed by you, an optional gate closer, or a strong gust of wind, the gate captures itself safely within the reinforced frame.

Forged from thick-gauge structural steel, this catch is robust enough to handle the repetitive daily slamming impacts of heavy wooden gates without twisting, bending, or failing.

Key Features

Reinforced Strike Bar: The thick, solid steel striker rod resists heavy impacts and distributes physical stress evenly into the gate frame.
Reliable Gravity-Drop Core: Free from delicate internal springs that can rust or snap, this latch relies on a simple, foolproof weighted gravity block to drop over the striker.
Ultimate Weatherproofing: The hot-dipped galvanised finish prevents ugly rust bleeding, ensuring your premium treated timber gates remain stain-free for years.
Padlock Loop Integration: Features a pre-drilled hole through the catch housing, allowing you to quickly slip a padlock through to restrict entry completely.

Technical Specifications

Attribute	Specification
Brand	Gatemate
Product Type	Self Locking Gate Catch / Auto-Catch
Material	Heavy-Duty Forged Structural Steel
Finish	Marine-Grade Hot-Dipped Galvanised Zinc
Operation Type	Automatic Gravity Slam Latch
Lockable	Yes (Via padlock loop, padlock sold separately)
Suitability	Garden Gates, Side Pedestrian Entries, Field & Alleyway Gates
Fixings Included	Yes (Includes heavy-duty, rust-resistant mounting screws)

Installation Tip

Pro Tip: For a perfectly smooth action, mount the main catch housing onto your fence post first, then align the striker bar on the swinging gate leaf. Leave a 5mm clearance between the striker arm and the bottom of the catch throat. This tiny buffer allows the gate to slide in and latch cleanly even if the timber naturally swells during damp winter months or sags slightly over time.

The post Gatemate Self Locking Gate Catch Galvanised – Secure Timber Gate Latch first appeared on Wooden Gates for Bucks, Berks, Herts & Oxon.

Field Gate Self Locking Latch – Heavy Duty Timber Gate Catch

sharpfencing — Mon, 10 Nov 2014 16:20:28 +0000

Field Gate Self Locking Latch – Heavy Duty Timber Gate Catch

Overview

The Field Gate Self Locking Latch (also widely known as a field gate auto-catch) is the industry standard for securing perimeter boundaries, pastures, and rural driveways. Standard latches can easily be left open or nudged loose by intelligent livestock. This self-locking mechanism eliminates human error—whether the gate is closed by hand, caught by a strong gust of wind, or paired with a gate closer, it automatically captures and locks the striker bar within its reinforced steel housing.

Forged from industrial-grade structural steel, the entire assembly is built to absorb repetitive slamming impacts from heavy timber gates without bending, twisting, or losing its mechanical alignment.

Key Features

Heavy-Duty Striker Ring: The oversized, solid steel strike assembly mounts securely to the gate frame, distributing impact forces evenly to protect the woodwork.
Foolproof Gravity Drop: Designed without delicate internal springs that can clog with mud or snap over time, relying instead on a completely reliable weighted gravity catch.
All-Weather Corrosion Shield: Heavily hot-dipped galvanised to stop rust in its tracks, preventing unsightly orange bleeding from staining your treated timber.
Animal-Safe Design: The compact, flush-fitting profile keeps the release mechanism tucked closely to the post, preventing horses, cattle, or sheep from accidentally rubbing it open.

Technical Specifications

Attribute	Specification
Product Type	Field Gate Self Locking Latch / Auto-Catch
Material	Forged High-Tensile Structural Steel
Finish	Heavy Hot-Dipped Galvanised Zinc
Gate Compatibility	Standard 3-inch (75mm) Thick Timber 5-Bar Gates
Lockable	Yes (Via integrated padlock loop, padlock sold separately)
Suitability	Farm Gates, Equestrian Enclosures, Wooden Driveway Gates, Smallholdings
Fixings Included	Yes (Includes heavy-duty, rust-resistant timber fixing bolts and screws)

Installation Tip

Pro Tip: Mount the heavy catch housing onto the main receiving gate post first, then line up the striker bar assembly on the gate leaf. Leave a 5mm clearance gap between the striker and the bottom throat of the catch. This minor buffer ensures that if your heavy timber posts shift slightly due to winter mud or summer ground compression, the striker will still guide itself smoothly into the lock.

The post Field Gate Self Locking Latch – Heavy Duty Timber Gate Catch first appeared on Wooden Gates for Bucks, Berks, Herts & Oxon.

Gate Auto Latch – Timber Gate & Door Hardware for Garden & Driveway

sharpfencing — Mon, 10 Nov 2014 15:17:15 +0000

Gate Auto Latch – Timber Gate & Door Hardware for Garden & Driveway

Overview

Fiddling with stiff sliding bolts or loose ring handles when your hands are full of garden tools, waste bags, or groceries can be incredibly frustrating. Our structural Gate Auto Latch Pack removes this daily hassle entirely. By utilizing a simple, unyielding physical gravity mechanism, this catch safely contains your pets and children by ensuring your gate securely hooks itself closed behind you.

Manufactured from heavy-gauge forged steel, our automatic catches are specifically scaled to handle the daily kinetic forces and shifting seasonal clearances of standard external timber gates. They mount cleanly onto the face of your timber, serving as a reliable perimeter safeguard that won’t twist or bind over years of high-frequency use.

Key Features

High-Impact Striker Assembly: Features a thick, solid steel project bar that glides smoothly into the universal catch track, resisting high-frequency slamming forces.
Integrated Padlock Hole: Gives you total peace of mind by allowing an external padlock to pass through the main locking plate, keeping intruders out of your rear yard or alleyways.
Anti-Bleed Corrosion Shield: Advanced premium weather finishes completely stop ugly orange rust run-off from bleeding down and permanently staining your treated timber panels.
Universal Handing Configuration: The intuitive face-mount design works flawlessly on either left-handed or right-handed opening configurations.

Technical Specifications

Attribute	Specification
Product Type	Heavy-Duty Automatic Slam Gate Catch
Material Base	High-Tensile Forged Structural Steel
Finish Options	Weatherproof Hot-Dipped Galvanised Zinc / Matte Epoxy Black Powder Coat
Sizes Available	Medium (100mm Base Profile) / Large (120mm Base Profile)
Security Feature	Padlock Compatible (Padlock not included)
Suitability	Standard Timber Garden Gates, Walkway Side Entries, Picket Fencing, Sheds
Fixings Included	No

Trade Installation & Alignment Tip

Pro Tip: Mount the pivoting catch mechanism onto your fixed timber fence post first, ensuring it sits completely level. Next, align the straight striker pin bar onto the moving gate leaf so it clears the entry throat cleanly. To ensure flawless automatic latching, maintain a gap clearance of roughly $10\text{mm}$ to $15\text{mm}$ between the gate frame and post face. If you are pairing this hardware with a gate return spring, make sure your hinges are perfectly plumb so the gate closes with enough momentum to trigger the gravity catch cleanly every time.

The post Gate Auto Latch – Timber Gate & Door Hardware for Garden & Driveway first appeared on Wooden Gates for Bucks, Berks, Herts & Oxon.