Installing the foundation box for an underground drive

The foundation box for underground operators can be installed in the following orientations:

  • the standard way, facing the driveway,
  • or from the inside, facing into the property. This can eliminate the visible gap between the post and the gate, as the gate leaves sit flush with the post.

There are several ways to install the box itself:

  • Installing it in a cut-out in the concrete – the standard procedure described in the manual
  • Installing it on a plate welded (or otherwise attached) to the post.
  • Installing it on a greenfield site

Whatever the method, make sure the water drains properly so rainwater does not collect in the box. The completed installation should pass what is sometimes called the bucket test: pour a bucket of water into the installed box; it should drain away within a minute.

Installing it on a greenfield site

This is intended as a general guide only; every installation is unique.

  1. Dig a hole below the frost line (depending on the location, 60cm to 1 meter).
  2. Pour a concrete base.
  3. Set shuttering blocks into the base; use as many as needed for the depth.
  4. Tie the shuttering blocks together and fill them with concrete. You can also combine them with the gate post.
  5. Secure the box to the cured shuttering blocks, packing it with shims if needed. Make sure the box fits vertically and does not protrude.
  6. Backfill around the blocks with gravel to allow water to drain.
  7. Run a conduit (flexible corrugated duct) from the first hole in the box into the gravel drainage layer.
  8. Run a conduit with cables from the second hole in the box.
  9. Concrete around the operator and finish with paving or similar.
  10. Install and secure the operator.
  11. Attach the gate to the box linkage using screws or a weld.
  12. Install the gate leaf.
  13. And you’re done.

Example: The operator’s box is 8,1 cm high, so I dig a 65 cm hole and pour a 5 cm concrete base. I stack two 25 cm shuttering blocks, bringing the total to 5 cm + 25 cm + 25 cm = 55 cm. That leaves 10 cm from the top; the box is 8.1 cm high, so I have 1.9 cm of clearance and can shim the box.

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