6 Best Ram Gate Openers For Sheep Farms That Old Farmers Swear By
Explore 6 durable gate openers for sheep farms, trusted by veteran farmers. These time-tested models offer reliability for livestock management and security.
There’s nothing quite like the thud of a 300-pound ram hitting a gate just to see if it will give. A flimsy latch or a weak opener is an open invitation for chaos, leading to unplanned breeding, damaged fences, and a long afternoon of chasing livestock. A good gate opener for a ram pasture isn’t a luxury; it’s a critical piece of farm infrastructure that protects your investment and your sanity.
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Why a Tough Gate Opener is Key for Ram Pastures
Rams are not like ewes. They are built like battering rams for a reason, and they test boundaries with their heads, constantly and with force. A standard residential gate opener often lacks the raw strength and locking power to withstand a determined ram’s repeated challenges.
The real risk isn’t just an escape. A weak gate system can be bent or broken, creating a dangerous situation where the gate could fail unexpectedly. A reliable opener provides a solid, unmoving barrier, discouraging the ram from testing it in the first place. It’s about creating a boundary that is respected, not just one that is present.
Furthermore, convenience translates directly to better management. When you can open a gate from your truck during a downpour or while hauling feed, you’re more likely to keep rams properly separated. A difficult manual gate often leads to cutting corners, and with rams, cutting corners is how you end up with lambs in the wrong season.
Mighty Mule MM571W: The Heavy-Duty Workhorse
When your ram pasture is near a power source, the Mighty Mule MM571W is a beast. This isn’t a lightweight model meant for a picket fence; it’s designed to move heavy gates up to 18 feet long or 850 pounds. That kind of power is exactly what you need to secure a heavy-duty tube or plank gate against a persistent ram.
What sets it apart for farm use is its durability and straightforward installation. Old-timers appreciate things that just work, and the Mighty Mule has a long-standing reputation for doing its job without fuss. It also includes smart features, allowing you to control it from your phone, which is genuinely useful when you’re on the other side of the property and need to let someone in.
The key tradeoff is its reliance on AC power. If your gate is hundreds of yards from the barn, you’ll need to run wiring, which adds cost and complexity. But for a main paddock near the house, its blend of raw power and modern convenience is hard to beat.
Ghost Controls for Off-Grid, Solar-Powered Gates
For those far-flung pastures where running power is impossible, Ghost Controls has become the go-to solution. Their systems are engineered from the ground up for solar power, meaning they are incredibly efficient and reliable even on a string of cloudy days. This isn’t just a regular opener with a solar panel tacked on; the whole system is optimized for low power draw.
Farmers trust Ghost Controls because of their reputation for customer support and lifetime warranties on the motor and gearbox. When you’re dealing with equipment exposed to the elements 24/7, knowing the company stands behind its product is a huge factor. Their systems are also known for their "SafeForce" feature, which limits the amount of force the gate will exert, preventing injury to an animal that might get caught.
The main consideration here is the initial setup. You need good, direct sunlight for the solar panel to be effective, and you have to protect the control box and battery from curious livestock. Once installed correctly, however, it offers true grid-independent security for your most remote and valuable animals.
Tarter Farm Opener: A Farmer’s Reliable Choice
Tarter is a name you see on farm equipment everywhere, from feeders to fences. Their gate opener is built with the same philosophy: simple, tough, and made for agricultural life. It’s not loaded with fancy tech, and that’s precisely its strength. It’s designed to be installed on a round tube gate, the kind most of us use, without needing a lot of modifications.
This opener is a practical, no-nonsense machine. It runs on a 12-volt battery, easily charged by a solar panel, and it’s made to withstand the mud, rain, and abuse of a working farm. The focus is on core function—opening and closing the gate reliably every single time.
If you value rugged construction over smart features and want a system from a company that lives and breathes agriculture, the Tarter is a solid bet. It’s the kind of tool that you install and then forget about, which is the highest praise you can give to any piece of farm equipment.
TOPENS A8S Automatic Opener: Smart Farm Security
The TOPENS A8S brings a level of security and control that is genuinely useful on a modern farm. Its standout feature is the ability to set a programmable auto-close timer. This simple function is a game-changer, ensuring the gate closes behind you even if you forget, preventing a ram from making a break for it while you’re unloading feed.
This model is a standard-duty opener, suitable for single gates up to 850 pounds, and can be powered by AC or solar. Where it shines for a ram application is in its soft start/stop motor function. This prevents the jarring slam that can weaken gate posts over time—a real issue when a heavy gate is used multiple times a day.
While it has plenty of smart features, it remains a practical choice. It’s a good middle-ground for the farmer who wants modern conveniences like remote access and security features without paying for an overly complex or industrial-grade system.
The Bull-Gate Lever: Simple, Manual Reliability
Sometimes the best solution isn’t electric at all. The Bull-Gate Lever is a brilliantly simple, purely mechanical device that allows you to open and close a heavy farm gate from your vehicle without batteries, wires, or solar panels. It’s a system of levers you pull on, using mechanical advantage to swing the gate open and closed.
Its biggest advantage is its absolute indestructibility. There are no electronics to fry, no batteries to die, and no motors to burn out. A ram can slam into it all day long, and the worst you’ll have is a bent handle. For a secondary pasture gate or for someone on a tight budget, this is an incredible solution.
Of course, it’s not automatic. You have to be right at the gate to use it. But for the farmer who prioritizes foolproof reliability and zero maintenance over all else, this old-school invention is still one of the best tools for the job. It will never fail you.
CO-Z Dual Gate Opener for Wide Pasture Entrances
Many farms have wide, dual-gate entrances to accommodate large equipment. Managing these with two separate systems is a pain. The CO-Z dual gate opener kit is a popular, cost-effective solution designed to operate two gates in unison from a single remote.
This system is a solid choice for gates up to 12 feet and 660 pounds per leaf. It comes with everything you need, including remotes, sensors, and the control box, and can be run on AC power with a battery backup or a solar setup. The ability to secure a wide, 24-foot opening with the push of one button is a massive improvement in efficiency and security.
While it may not have the brand recognition of some agricultural mainstays, it has proven to be a reliable workhorse for many farmers. For double-gate applications, a dedicated dual system like this is far superior to trying to rig two single openers together. It ensures both gates move together smoothly and lock securely.
Choosing Your Gate: Power, Swing, and Durability
Picking the right opener comes down to your specific situation. There’s no single "best" one, only the one that’s best for your farm. Before you buy, walk out to your gate and think through these four points.
First, power source is non-negotiable. If you have an outlet nearby, an AC-powered model like the Mighty Mule offers consistent, high-power performance. If the gate is out in the back forty, a solar-optimized system like Ghost Controls is your only practical choice, unless you want the manual reliability of the Bull-Gate Lever.
Second, consider your gate’s size, weight, and swing. A heavy, 16-foot wooden gate needs a heavy-duty opener. A standard 12-foot tube gate gives you more options. Also, check if your gate swings level or if it moves uphill; an opener trying to push a gate uphill needs significantly more power.
Finally, balance features with durability. Smart controls and auto-close are great, but only if the unit can withstand a northern winter or a ram’s abuse. Often, the simplest, most robust option is the wisest long-term investment. Don’t get so caught up in the bells and whistles that you forget the main job: keeping a very strong, very stubborn animal exactly where you put him.
Ultimately, the best gate opener is the one you can count on day in and day out. Whether it’s a solar-powered workhorse for a remote pasture or a simple mechanical lever, reliability is the key. A secure gate means peace of mind, and on a farm, that’s worth its weight in gold.
