In ground gate motor boxes

[JimM169]

The foundation boxes for our electric gates have failed with the pin that supports the weight of the gates giving way on both sides.
I don't think repairing them by welding will be practical (especially given my skills with a welder!) so looking to just replace the whole in ground box. Getting the motor's out shouldn't be an issue as just 4 bolts but what would be the best way of getting the box itself out of the concrete without damaging the drain that sits next to it or affecting the post itself?
The boxes are only about 6" deep

Also I appreciate that I probably need to upgrade the installation as it would appear the current equipment is not man enough for the weight of the gates but it's lasted 15 years and if I can get another 15 by doing a straight swap they will probably outlast me!

[JimM169]

Just to add this is what the box looks like that I need to extract and replace

[JimM169]

Any suggestions anyone?
Would cutting around the box with a large angle grinder and then hitting it with an SDS chisel let me break up the concrete cleanly?

[JoshSm]

JimM169 said:

Any suggestions anyone?
Would cutting around the box with a large angle grinder and then hitting it with an SDS chisel let me break up the concrete cleanly?

Yes? At least to a point, the grinder won't go that deep.

The alternative is to stitch drill with the SDS before breaking it up.

[JoshSm]

JimM169 said:

I don't think repairing them by welding will be practical (especially given my skills with a welder!) so looking to just replace the whole in ground box.

I think it probably could be welded, the real issue looks to be that it's relying on some pretty thin metal to support the pin which has flexed and cracked, and new one would do the same? The pin is chunky enough, the box not so much.

Get it welded up with some more meat to it, give it a good coating with some decent paint, and it'll likely be better than the unmodified replacement.

[netherfield]

JimM169 said:

Any suggestions anyone?
Would cutting around the box with a large angle grinder and then hitting it with an SDS chisel let me break up the concrete cleanly?

Very likely yes, depends on the mix used.

I can weld, in your case I'd be tempted to find someone who can and a piece of flat across the back welded all round might make it see you out.

I had similar a couple of years ago, although this had more or less disintegrated the whole box, trying remove the motor bolts just ripped the bottom of the box out, couldn't get anymore the same, not made anymore, so ended up with Nice as a replacement.

I see the gate's been dragging on the lid, is this because of the peg coming loose, or the gate sagging?

I reckon if the gate has been sagging it might be what caused some of your problems.

[2Btoo]

Stoopid Q but why can't you simply swap the old motor for a new one, leaving the box in situ?

[JimM169]

2Btoo said:

Stoopid Q but why can't you simply swap the old motor for a new one, leaving the box in situ?

The motor works fine. It's the mounting pin that has broken and this is part of the box assembley.

[Baldchap]

Where are you based, OP? We have a great company who we have used for years and are in the process of modifying our gates to cope with root damage.

[JimM169]

Quick update on this in case anyone is interested!

Following the previous suggestions I decided to drag out the welder and give it a go. Probably over 5 years since I'd last used it so of course the wire had rusted solid in the liner Off to MachineMart for new liner, gun liner and wire and 2hrs we're later good to go.
Despite my skills being limited the actual repair seemed to go OK, the welds didn't look too bad and two weeks late the gates haven't fallen off! I did need to source a large washer on one side to lift the mechanism slightly to stop it rubbing but other than that it's all good. How long they'll last is anybody's guess but I'm happy for the minute.

All round welding was the much simpler option and thanks to those that prompted me to give it a go!