A fully automatic gate opener is not possible as there are too many things to go wrong and it is not that simple to open a hopper car gate and close it prior to switching a load of cars.

You have not specified if you are inquiring about covered hopper car gate openers or the belly dump door used on the standard coal cars that have the swing back gate doors.

The swing back doors on this type of gondola hopper car have a compression fit with the latch.

They are diificult to open at times and may require a lever but this is a very dangerous way to open them.

The covered hopper car gates are gear driven with a dual rack and spur gear set attached to the knife gate and use a square nut that is attached to to the shaft and gears used to roll the gate back and forth.

The simplest gate opener is the torque multiplier which uses hand tools and the handle of the torque multiplier is pressing against the ground while the gate is opened or closed.

they are made by www.stanleyproto.com

Another is made by www.aztec.bolting but it may not be easy to implement as a hand operated ratcheting torque multiplier.

The pneumatic gate openers are made or offered by several organizations including;

www.millerelevatorsupply.com

www.compressedairsystems.com

www.chicagovibrator.com

www.arnoldcompany.com

www.railyard-safety.com

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