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LiftMaster gate operators · Plano & North DFW
From residential driveways to busy community entrances, A1 Gate Guys helps you choose the right LiftMaster swing gate operator for your property. We install, repair, and replace operators across Plano and North DFW.
Authorized LiftMaster dealer · Employee technicians, no subcontractors · Residential, HOA & commercial gates
Swing gate automation
A swing gate operator is the motorized unit that opens and closes a hinged gate when you press a remote, enter a keypad code, use a phone app, or grant access through an entry system. It also monitors the gate’s safety devices, stopping or reversing the gate when something is in its path.
A1 Gate Guys installs new LiftMaster swing gate operators, repairs existing ones, and replaces operators that are worn out or no longer suited to the gate, so you end up with an operator that fits, runs reliably, and meets current safety requirements.
✓ You’re automating a manual swing gate for the first time.
✓ The gate is slow, noisy, stalls partway, or reverses for no clear reason.
✓ The gate has changed, such as new solid panels or a heavier frame, and the operator is struggling.
✓ Your operator is aging and parts or compatible safety devices are hard to match.
Choosing a system
LiftMaster swing gate operators fall into two broad families. Which one fits depends on how your gate is built, where it’s mounted, and how hard it will work each day.
LA400UL · LA500UL
A linear actuator is an arm mounted between the gate post and the gate that pushes and pulls the gate through its swing, with a separate control box for the board and backup batteries. Actuators suit most residential driveway and ornamental gates, as long as the post or column can carry the bracket.
CSW24UL · HDSW24UL
Commercial swing operators are self-contained units installed beside the gate, typically on a concrete pad or post mount, that move the gate through a heavy-duty swing arm. Built for continuous duty, they fit community entrances, commercial properties, and heavier gates that cycle all day.
01
Heavier gates need more operator capacity, and that capacity has to hold up over years of cycles.
02
A long leaf puts more leverage on the operator. Rated weight drops as gate length increases.
03
Solid panels, privacy infill, and open, exposed sites add load that a weight figure alone doesn’t capture.
04
A private driveway and a busy HOA entrance need very different duty ratings.
05
Post and hinge condition, slope, swing direction, power, and space for the operator all shape what can be installed.
Models we install
These are the LiftMaster swing gate operators A1 Gate Guys most often installs. The ratings shown are LiftMaster’s published maximums, not installation targets. We size every operator to your actual gate, its use, and the site.
Residential · Linear actuator
24VDC Residential Linear Actuator
A compact actuator for residential swing gates of moderate size and weight. It’s a common choice for single and dual driveway gates on private homes where daily use is light to moderate. On solid or wind-exposed gates, we may recommend more capacity.
Residential / light commercial · Linear actuator
24VDC Residential/Light Commercial Linear Actuator
The heavier-duty actuator, with a commercial-duty die-cast aluminum housing and a higher duty rating. It suits larger residential gates, estate entrances, and light commercial gates that see more traffic than a typical driveway, provided the post can carry the load.
Commercial · Swing arm operator
24VDC High-Traffic Commercial Swing Gate Operator
Built for swing gates that open and close all day: HOA and community entrances, multifamily properties, and commercial sites. The operator sits beside the gate and drives it through a swing arm, backed by a heavy-duty gear-driven transmission and a powder-coated steel chassis.
Heavy-duty commercial · Swing arm operator
24VDC Heavy-Duty Variable Speed Swing Gate Operator
LiftMaster’s heavy-duty swing operator for large, heavy gates and demanding entrances. It adds adjustable gate speed and a brushless direct-drive powertrain, and it can be paired with a reinforced long arm for the heaviest gates.
Specifications are summarized from LiftMaster product literature. Ratings are maximums under the manufacturer’s conditions; your gate’s construction, hardware, and exposure determine the right fit. All four operators are UL 325 listed and need monitored external entrapment protection devices installed to operate automatically.
Side by side
A quick look at how the LA400UL, LA500UL, CSW24UL, and HDSW24UL compare on capacity, duty, and typical use.
Model
Max. rated gate
Duty rating
90° opening
Battery backup
Typical fit
LA400UL
Residential linear actuator
16 ft or 850 lbs
100 cycles/day
17 sec
Included
Residential driveway gates with light to moderate use
LA500UL
Residential/light commercial actuator
18 ft or 1,600 lbs
300 cycles/day
17 sec
Included
Larger residential, estate, and light commercial gates
CSW24UL
Commercial swing arm operator
18 ft or 1,600 lbs
Continuous duty
13–15 sec
Included
HOA, multifamily, and commercial entrances with frequent traffic
HDSW24UL
Heavy-duty swing arm operator
22 ft or 2,800 lbs (4,500 lbs with HDLGARM)
Continuous duty
13–36 sec, adjustable
Yes, supported
Very heavy or long gates and demanding, high-cycle entrances
For the LA400UL, LA500UL, and CSW24UL, the allowable gate weight drops as gate length increases. See the capacity-by-length line on each model card above.
Sizing advice
An oversized commercial operator on a light residential gate adds cost, takes up more space, and can be harder on lighter hinges and frames. An undersized operator works too hard, wears early, and may struggle in wind.
The right operator matches the gate’s weight and length, its daily cycles, and the conditions at your property, with sensible margin.
Service
Most service calls start with a symptom: the gate won’t close, stops partway, reverses on its own, or ignores the remotes. We first find where the problem sits: the operator, the safety devices, the power, the access controls, or the gate itself.
Repair
When the operator is properly sized and in reasonable condition, repair is often the practical path. Common causes include safety device faults, worn batteries, limit settings, board or wiring problems, and accessory issues.
See common gate operator issues and what to know when an automatic gate won’t close.
Replacement
Replacement makes more sense when an operator is undersized, fails repeatedly, can’t support current monitored safety devices, or is old enough that parts are hard to match. We’ll explain both options so you can weigh cost against long-term fit.
Read our guide on whether to repair or replace a gate operator.
Installation
For a gate that has never been automated, we look at the gate, posts, hinges, power, and how the gate will be used, then recommend an operator along with the safety and access devices to go with it.
Managing a commercial property? See commercial slide and swing gate repair.
Our focus is the automation: the operator, its safety devices, and the access controls. A gate that drags, sags, or binds will wear out any operator, so if we find hinge, post, or frame problems, we’ll point them out so they can be addressed before or alongside the operator work.
We run the gate through a full open-and-close cycle to confirm the operator, safety devices, and controls are working together. Prefer a sliding gate? Compare our LiftMaster slide gate operators or browse all gate operators.
Safety & control
A swing gate is a heavy moving object in a space shared by people and vehicles. Safety devices, backup power, and access control should be planned with the operator, not added later.
Automatic gate operators are listed to the UL 325 standard, and current operators require monitored external entrapment protection, such as photo eyes or safety edges, before they will run automatically. LiftMaster options include the LMRRUL retro-reflective photo eye, LMTBUL through-beam photo eyes, and the LMWEKITU wireless edge kit.
These devices protect people and vehicles, so they should be installed, aligned, and tested by a trained technician, never bypassed. Learn more about UL 325 and ASTM F2200 gate safety.
The LA400UL, LA500UL, and CSW24UL include battery backup, so the gate can keep working when the power is out. They can also be set to open automatically on loss of AC power or when the batteries run down, which LiftMaster describes as fire department compliant.
The HDSW24UL also supports battery backup, with configurations documented by LiftMaster using 7Ah or 33Ah batteries. Backup runtime varies with battery condition, capacity and usage. Several models also support solar power.
The LA400UL, LA500UL, and CSW24UL have a Security+ 2.0® receiver for up to 50 remote controls and are HomeLink® compatible (version 4 and higher). Keypads, telephone entry, and cloud-based systems such as LiftMaster’s CAPXL can be added depending on the property.
myQ® compatibility doesn’t mean the operator is online out of the box: app control needs an internet connection and the right setup. The HDSW24UL works with myQ Community and myQ Facility for managed properties.
Why A1 Gate Guys
We work on automatic gate operators and access control for homes, communities, and commercial properties across Plano and North DFW.
As an authorized LiftMaster dealer, we know these operators, their safety accessories, and how they’re set up and serviced.
Every technician on a job is an A1 Gate Guys employee. We don’t hand your gate to subcontractors.
We evaluate your gate, your site, and how you use it, then recommend the operator that fits rather than the biggest one available.
Service area Plano, McKinney, Frisco, Allen, Prosper, Richardson, and nearby North DFW communities
FAQ
Answers to the questions we hear most about choosing, repairing, and replacing LiftMaster swing gate operators. Don’t see yours? Call 469-277-8333.
Which LiftMaster swing gate operator is right for my gate?
It depends on the gate’s weight and length, wind exposure, daily use, and mounting conditions. As a general guide, the LA400UL fits lighter residential gates, the LA500UL larger residential and light commercial gates, the CSW24UL high-traffic entrances, and the HDSW24UL very heavy or long gates. We confirm the fit after seeing your gate.
What’s the difference between the linear actuators and the swing arm models?
The LA400UL and LA500UL are linear actuators that mount between the post and the gate; the LA500UL carries more weight and is rated for 300 cycles per day versus 100. The CSW24UL and HDSW24UL are continuous-duty commercial operators that sit beside the gate and use a swing arm. The HDSW24UL handles heavier, longer gates and adds adjustable speed.
Does wind affect which operator I need?
Yes. A swing gate with solid panels or privacy infill acts like a sail, and wind adds load the operator has to overcome, especially on long leaves. An exposed gate may need a stronger operator than its weight alone suggests, so we factor in gate design and exposure.
Can I keep my existing gate when adding or replacing an operator?
Often, yes. If the gate swings freely by hand, the hinges are in good condition, and the posts or columns are solid, it can usually be automated or fitted with a new operator. If the gate drags, sags, or binds, those issues should be corrected first, because they shorten the life of any operator.
Should I repair or replace my swing gate operator?
Repair usually makes sense when the operator is correctly sized and the problem is isolated, such as a safety device, battery, or control issue. Replacement is worth considering when the operator is undersized, keeps failing, or can’t support current monitored safety devices. We’ll walk you through both options before work begins.
Will my gate work during a power outage?
All four featured models support battery backup during a power outage. The LA400UL, LA500UL and CSW24UL include backup in their documented configurations, and the HDSW24UL supports 7Ah or 33Ah battery arrangements. How long a gate operates depends on battery condition, capacity and use. Backup batteries require periodic maintenance or replacement.
What access control options can I add?
Depending on the operator and property, options include remotes, wireless keypads, telephone entry, vehicle HomeLink®, myQ® app control, and cloud-based access control for communities. Some features need an internet connection or added accessories, so we confirm compatibility with your operator first.
What affects the cost of a swing gate operator?
The main factors are the operator model, single or dual gate, the safety devices your gate requires, access control equipment, power and mounting needs, and the gate’s condition. Because these vary by property, we review your gate and explain the options before work starts.
Tell us about your gate: its size and material, how often it’s used, and what it’s doing now. We’ll help you find the LiftMaster swing gate operator that fits your property, whether that means a repair, a replacement, or a new installation.
Office hours: Mon–Fri 8am–5pm · Sat 8am–3pm · Sun closed
Have an emergency? Give us a call 24/7 at 469-277-8333.