Space
- clear opening width (ŠP),
- the side and direction in which the gate opens,
- clearance for the entire gate, including the counterbalance,
- ground levels along the entire travel path.
Manual for a cantilever sliding gate up to 6.5 m
Technical guide · DIY construction · cantilever gate
From measuring the opening and pouring the concrete foundation to wiring, carriages, guide system and drive, with a dimensions overview and technical drawings for openings from 2.5 to 6.5 m.
Cantilever gate: from opening dimensions to the completed assembly
A cantilever gate moves above ground level without a track across the opening. The gate leaf is supported by carriages anchored in a concrete foundation and a load-bearing C-channel welded to the bottom of the frame. The design must coordinate the overall gate-leaf length, counterbalance, profile, carriages, infill, guide system, foundation and, if required, drive.
What to measure and choose before fabrication
Structure
- frame height and type of infill,
- estimated weight and wind load,
- carriages suited to the gate length and load.
Operation
- manual or motorised operation,
- locations for the drive, photocells and warning beacon,
- conduit installation before concreting,
- safety edges and other components as determined by the risk assessment.
1. Concrete foundation and positioning of mounting plates and components
The foundation length is calculated in the source as L = X + Y + Z. Dimension X is 160 mm for carriages with 3 or 5 rollers and 240 mm for carriages with 8 rollers. The foundation should be at least 800 mm deep; its final dimensions must be confirmed by a design based on the soil, frost conditions and local requirements.
Plan view showing the concrete foundation and carriage positions
Concrete foundation – view A
| Clear opening width | Y | Z | L |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2,500 mm | 750 mm | 290 mm | 1,200 mm |
| 3,000 mm | 950 mm | 290 mm | 1,400 mm |
| 3,500 mm | 1,150 mm | 290 mm | 1,600 mm |
| 4,000 mm | 1,300 mm | 340 mm | 1,800 mm |
| 4,500 mm – short | 1,050 mm | 290 mm | 1,500 mm |
| 4,500 mm – full | 1,500 mm | 340 mm | 2,000 mm |
| 5,000 mm | 1,700 mm | 340 mm | 2,200 mm |
| 5,500 mm | 1,850 mm | 290 mm | 2,300 mm |
| 6,000 mm | 2,050 mm | 290 mm | 2,500 mm |
| 6,500 mm | 1,950 mm | 290 mm | 2,400 mm |
| Clear opening width | Y | Z | L |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2,500 mm | 650 mm | 310 mm | 1,200 mm |
| 3,000 mm | 900 mm | 260 mm | 1,400 mm |
| 3,500 mm | 1,100 mm | 260 mm | 1,600 mm |
| 4,000 mm | 1,250 mm | 310 mm | 1,800 mm |
| 4,500 mm – short | 900 mm | 260 mm | 1,400 mm |
| 4,500 mm – full | 1,350 mm | 310 mm | 1 900 mm |
| 5 000 mm | 1 550 mm | 310 mm | 2 100 mm |
| 5 500 mm | 1 750 mm | 310 mm | 2 300 mm |
| 6 000 mm | 1 950 mm | 310 mm | 2 500 mm |
| 6 500 mm | 1 900 mm | 260 mm | 2 400 mm |
- The carriage mounting plate has a footprint of 120 × 180 mm.
- The holes in the mounting plates should be at least 17 mm; the source specifies M16 threaded anchoring.
- The rods can be cast directly into the concrete, chemically anchored into cured concrete, or the mounting plates can be cut out of the foundation; the method must suit the substrate and load.
- The top of the foundation is often level with the ground, but the required gate height above ground and the carriage adjustment range determine the final height.
2. Preparing the wiring and conduits before pouring the concrete
Run the conduits to the operator, both photocells and the warning light before pouring the concrete. Allow for a cable exit approximately 300 mm from the edge at the operator, depending on the chosen orientation; in the source, the photocell on the right-hand post is approximately 180 mm above the corresponding exit.
| Route | Function | Nice Road RD400 | Nice Robus RB 400/600/1000 – older generation |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | 230 V operator power supply | 1 × 3 × 1.5 mm² | 1 × 3 × 1.5 mm² |
| II | Left photocell, transmitter Tx | 1 × 2 × 0.25 mm² | 1 × 2 × 0.5 mm² |
| III | Right photocell, receiver Rx | 1 × 4 × 0.25 mm² | 1 × 2 × 0.5 mm² |
| IV | Warning light and antenna | 1 × 2 × 0.5 mm² + shielded RG58, 50 Ω | 1 × 2 × 0.5 mm² + shielded RG58, 50 Ω |
According to the source, an optional key switch requires 2 × 2 × 0.5 mm² cable; a simple push button requires 1 × 2 × 0.5 mm² cable. With a BlueBUS system, the photocells can be wired individually to the control unit or daisy-chained, if permitted by the specific control unit and its manual.
3. Gate guidance, carriages and height above ground
Top guidance
The guide rollers run along the top of the frame. The structure must have a rigid post or lintel in the correct position and must not pinch the gate.
Side guidance
The side guide bracket guides the frame from the side. Check the clearance, post rigidity and roller adjustment, and make sure the infill and welds do not obstruct the gate’s path.
Recommended carriages for gates up to 6.5 m
Below are typical choices for the range covered by this manual. Choose the final carriage according to the C-profile, opening width, weight, infill and gate construction.
Fixed adjustable carriage, 3 rollers
For shorter openings up to 3 m. For C-profile 70 or 80; mounting plate 180 × 120 mm.
Tilting adjustable carriage, 5 rollers
A typical choice for openings 3 to 5 m wide. Option for C-profile 70 or 80; mounting plate 180 × 120 mm.
Tilting adjustable carriage, 8 nylon rollers
The product is designed for openings 5 to 7.5 m wide; this manual covers the 5 to 6.5 m variants. For C-profile 70 or 80.
Tilting adjustable carriage, 8 steel rollers
All-steel option for C-profile 80. The product is designed for openings 5 to 7.5 m wide; this manual covers the 5 to 6.5 m variants.
C-profiles matching the drawings
The drawings for openings 2.5 to 4.0 m wide use a 70 × 70 × 4 mm C-profile; the drawings for openings 4.5 to 6.5 m wide use an 80 × 80 × 5 mm profile. Select the material and always check the final load together with the carriages and gate infill.
C-profile 70 × 70 × 4 mm, Fe
Size used in the drawings for openings 2.5 to 4.0 m wide. Black steel, lengths 1 to 6 m.
C-profile 70 × 70 × 4 mm, Zn
Galvanised version of the size used in the drawings for openings 2.5 to 4.0 m wide.
C-profile 80 × 80 × 5 mm, Fe
Size used in the drawings for openings 4.5 to 6.5 m wide. Black steel, lengths 1 to 6 m.
C-profile 80 × 80 × 5 mm, Zn
Galvanised version of the size used in the drawings for openings 4.5 to 6.5 m wide.
| Trolley | 70 × 70 × 4 mm | 80 × 80 × 5 mm |
|---|---|---|
| 3 rollers | V-06-3 · 78 to 98 mm | V-06-1 · 73 to 93 mm |
| 5 rollers | V-02-3 · 95 to 115 mm | V-02-1 · 90 to 110 mm |
| 8 rollers | V-07-3 · 90 to 110 mm | V-07-1 · 85 to 105 mm |
| 10 rollers | — | 93 to 109 mm |
Choose H within the adjustment range so that the gate remains above the highest point of the ground while maintaining the correct position of the drive, rack, end-stop components and guide.
4. Drive and rack height
The source uses the following designations: H = trolley height, A = C-section height, Y = required gate clearance above the ground, N = drive construction height. The position of the drive mounting plate X is determined by the following formula:
X = H + A + Y + 40 − N
The source specifies N = 85 mm for Road 400 and Robus 400, N = 92 mm for Robus 600/1000, and N = 109 mm for Run 1800P. These values apply to specific older models; for a different or newer drive, measure N using its installation drawing.
Example from the source: Robus 600, an 80 mm C-section, 5-roller trolleys with H = 90 to 110 mm, clearance Y = 0 and N = 92 mm give X = 118 to 138 mm. The source then selects a mounting height of 115 mm; therefore, before use, physically check the position against the specific trolley, rack and drive.
- Level the gate on the trolleys and set the required clearance above the ground.
- Mount the drive on a solid, adjustable plate so that the pinion meshes correctly with the rack.
- Do not let the rack rest on the pinion under the full weight of the gate; maintain the clearance specified in the drive and rack manuals.
- Manually check for smooth engagement along the entire travel, with no binding, and only then complete the anchoring.
5. Drive wiring diagrams
Nice Road RD400
The excerpt shows the basic mains cable connection and the location of the terminals in the Road RD400 drive. The original PDF also contains another image labelled for a different control unit; it has been deliberately omitted to avoid mixing two incompatible diagrams.
Nice Robus RBS400 / RBS600 – current generation
The diagrams are reproduced from page 5 of the v5 manual for sliding gates. The original wiring, labels and enlarged terminal-block detail have been retained; the diagrams have not been redrawn.
NICE RBS400/600/600HS installation manual – wiring diagrams and descriptions.
Products: NICE Robus RBS400 and NICE Robus RBS600.
Nice Robus RB 400/600/1000 – older generation
The following excerpt applies exclusively to the older Robus RB generation and the control unit shown in the image. It includes connections for the warning light, photocells and command inputs, as well as the older drive dimensions. Do not use it for Robus RBS.
6. Summary table of dimensions and weights
The values in the table apply to specific variants shown in the source drawings listed in the following section.
| Clear opening width | Overall gate length | Gate weight | Max. load per metre | Max. infill weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 m | 3.77 m | 80 kg | 195 kg/m | 525 kg |
| 3.0 m | 4.49 m | 90 kg | 165 kg/m | 530 kg |
| 3.5 m | 5.22 m | 105 kg | 145 kg/m | 535 kg |
| 4.0 m | 5.85 m | 120 kg | 125 kg/m | 525 kg |
| 4.5 m – short | 6.00 m | 140 kg | 105 kg/m | 495 kg |
| 4.5 m – full | 6.48 m | 150 kg | 125 kg/m | 590 kg |
| 5.0 m | 7.17 m | 165 kg | 100 kg/m | 520 kg |
| 5.5 m | 7.86 m | 180 kg | 95 kg/m | 540 kg |
| 6.0 m | 8.55 m | 195 kg | 75 kg/m | 465 kg |
| 6.5 m | 9.00 m | 200 kg | 55 kg/m | 370 kg |
7. Technical drawings for each gate width
The summary table above also lists the key values as text. The drawings below are intended to show the frame layout, cut locations and dimensions. Click each preview to view the full-resolution image.
2.5 m opening
Overall length 3 770 mm, frame 2 690 mm, counterweight 1 080 mm, frame height 1 500 mm, C-profile 70 × 70 × 4 mm.
3.0 m opening
Overall length 4 490 mm, frame 3 190 mm, counterweight 1 300 mm, frame height 1 500 mm, C-profile 70 × 70 × 4 mm.
3.5 m opening
Overall length 5 220 mm, frame 3 670 mm, counterweight 1 550 mm, frame height 1 500 mm, C-profile 70 × 70 × 4 mm.
4.0 m opening
Overall length 5 850 mm, frame 4 170 mm, counterweight 1 680 mm, frame height 1 500 mm, C-profile 70 × 70 × 4 mm.
4.5 m opening – short version
Overall length 6 000 mm, frame 4 600 mm, counterweight 1 400 mm, frame height 1 500 mm, C-profile 80 × 80 × 5 mm.
4.5 m opening – full version
Overall length 6 480 mm, frame 4 670 mm, counterweight 1 810 mm, frame height 1 500 mm, C-profile 80 × 80 × 5 mm.
5.0 m opening
Overall length 7 170 mm, frame 5 170 mm, counterweight 2 000 mm, frame height 1 500 mm, C-profile 80 × 80 × 5 mm.
5.5 m opening
Overall length 7 860 mm, frame 5 670 mm, counterweight 2 190 mm, frame height 1 500 mm, C-profile 80 × 80 × 5 mm.
6.0 m opening
Overall length 8 550 mm, frame 6 170 mm, counterweight 2 380 mm, frame height 1 500 mm, C-profile 80 × 80 × 5 mm.
6.5 m opening
Overall length 9 000 mm, frame 6 670 mm, counterweight 2 330 mm, frame height 1 500 mm, C-profile 80 × 80 × 5 mm.
8. Frequently asked questions and next steps
- Does a cantilever sliding gate need a separate lock?
Yes, for a manually operated gate; the locking method needs to be planned separately. For a motorised gate, whether it stays closed depends on the gearbox and the settings of the specific drive. If you require a higher level of physical security, have a suitable lock fitted after consulting your supplier; it must not prevent emergency release or safe operation.
How is the gate operated?
Typically by remote control, push button, key switch or compatible access control system. Permitted inputs and programming methods are determined by the drive control unit.
Can one remote control operate several devices?- Yes, provided the devices have compatible receivers and the remote has enough buttons or channels. Check frequency, coding and receiver compatibility before purchase.
- Can I use the gate manually at first and add a drive later?
- Yes. However, when pouring the concrete, prepare conduits, space and fixing points for the future drive, photocells and warning light. The frame must allow the rack to be fitted, and a manually operated gate needs a safe end stop and locking system.
Current components and expert advice
This guide deliberately omits prices, stock availability and the old product overview from the PDF. For the latest options, use the website's permanent category pages and have the carriages, C-profile, drive and safety devices checked against your gate's weight and dimensions.
Couldn't find the answer? Call us
Contact us. We can advise you on choosing components for your specific cantilever sliding gate.
Technical note: This guide is a practical aid, not a substitute for a design, structural assessment or the current installation instructions from the drive manufacturer. Safety devices and electrical installation must be designed for the specific gate and in accordance with applicable regulations.
Prepared by Ing. Ján Kubíček.
Last updated: 16. 9. 2026.
