Round pen gate?

Question

I have a 60 foot lightweight metal round pen, but i don't have a gate. Every time i want to lunge a horse or ride in there i have to swing the whole panel open and it's inconvenient. I can't find any round pen gates that aren't cheaper in price, like 50-100 dollars. (there all 200-300 dollars). Could i somehow make a lightweight metal round pen gate? Where could i buy one that's not expensive?

Answer 1

You need to find a "bow" gate..most ag stores carry them.

Here's a link to an example of a 'bow" gate in different widths, heights....They work with the panels of a round pen.

http://www.swpowerfence.com/livecat11.ht...

http://www.fleenorgates.com/PaintedSteel...

http://www.beavervalleysupply.com/sectio...

Many ag stores/mfg., want you to call for a price as metal prices (steel, etc.,) fluctuate....

Answer 2

I got a roundpen gate for $140 at our local farm supply store.  (It's called Big R).  I would just go to a local place, and even if they don't have one on hand, ask them what they can order for you.  Sometimes there will be good options in their catalogues.

Answer 3

Why don't you but a panel gate and some fittings & just attach it to one of your panels? They fall in your $50-$100 range.  Attach like you would a chain link gate.

Answer 4

I don't know that you'll find anything that will work perfectly well for within your price range.

Even a 6 ft. galvanized tube gate runs in excess of $60.

Round pens made of portable panels are not rooted into the ground - they're held together by either chains or pins and their round shape help support them so they don't learn or fall.

I would suggest, if the round pen isn't going to be moved, to put a steel fence post or a wooden one where you wish the gate to be,  attach the round pen panel to one side and the gate to the other side of the post - but even this will likely be more than you want to pay.

Be careful as simply chaining a gate to a panel will make it unstable and could hurt you - also, if the weight of the gate still must be picked up and opened, you have the same issue you currently have - because panels are really no more than large gates.

I would watch for foreclosed homes or watch your paper for auctions or go to your local grain mill, feed mill or elevator - even a local TSC or tack store and post a notice looking for this.  You never know who might want to get rid of one.

Also, working against you is the value of steel and aluminum.  I suspect if someone has a panel or gate they have no use for, they'll be taking it in to sell for scrap metal sooner than giving it away.

Answer 5

If you know anyone who welds, maybe they could make you one? Otherwise, try calling a welding or fabrication shop. Although, both my husband and his dad weld and they're complaining about how high metal prices are right now so I'm not sure if you could have one made in that price range either. You'd have to check it out! Hope that helps!