Swing Gate Motor Ram vs Arm vs Underground: Which Do You Need?
Choose by the gate, not the catalogue. A linear ram suits most villa leaves where the hinges sit close enough to the pillar face for it to mount straight onto the leaf. An articulated arm handles deep pillars that a ram cannot clear. An underground motor hides in a foundation box under the hinge when looks matter most.
All three push a hinged leaf open and pull it closed, and CAME’s own guide to choosing a swing operator names the same three families. What changes is where the motor sits and which gates it can reach. Examples below come from our swing gate motor range.
What is the difference between a ram, an arm and an underground motor?
- Linear ram: a worm-screw actuator fixed between a bracket on the pillar and a bracket on the leaf. Its rod extends and retracts to move the gate.
- Articulated arm: a compact gear motor on the pillar drives a jointed arm that folds like an elbow as the leaf opens. CAME describes it as the answer when the pillar geometry rules out a direct linear movement.
- Underground: the gear motor sits in a foundation box below the hinge and turns the leaf from beneath, so nothing shows above ground.
Measure the leaf and the pillar before you pick a type
Every operator is rated for leaf length and weight together, and the permitted weight falls as the leaf gets longer. Somfy rates the IXENGO L for 400 kg at 2.6 m but only 170 kg at 4 m; CAME rates the AXL at 250 kg up to 1 m and 200 kg up to 2.2 m. A weight figure on its own is not enough.
The second number is what CAME calls the C dimension: the distance from the hinge axis to the face of the pillar. It depends on how wide the pillar is and where the hinges are set. CAME’s NEW ATI linear operators cover C dimensions up to 155 mm and its ATS telescopic arms up to 200 mm; past that, CAME moves to an articulated arm. Other makers publish their own limits in each installation manual, so we check the figure for the exact model.
Ram, arm or underground: side by side
| Point | Linear ram | Articulated arm | Underground |
|---|---|---|---|
| Where it mounts | Between pillar and leaf, above ground | On the pillar, with a jointed arm to the leaf | In a foundation box below the hinge |
| Pillar depth | C dimension must be inside the model’s limit | Copes with deeper pillars | Not set by pillar depth |
| Look | Rod visible along the leaf | Motor and arm visible on the pillar | Hidden |
| Groundwork | Brackets only | Brackets only | Excavation, foundation box and drainage |
| Examples on our store | FAAC 415, Beninca BOB30M, Roger MONOS4 (telescopic arm), BFT PHOBOS AC A50 | Ask us for current options | Nice L-FAB, LIFE ERGO |
When does a linear ram make sense?
Most villa gates hung on pillars of ordinary depth end up with a ram, because it bolts on with brackets and needs no digging. Pick one whose published limits cover your leaf:
- FAAC 415: leaves up to 2.5 m, or 3 m with an electric lock; FAAC’s longer 415 L reaches 3 m, or 4 m with a lock. 230 V, IP54.
- Beninca BOB30M: leaves up to 3.0 m, 230 Vac, with 2,300 N of thrust.
- Roger MONOS4: Roger’s MONOS4/220 actuator with a telescopic arm, for leaves up to 4 m on 230 V AC.
- BFT PHOBOS AC A50: long or heavy leaves up to 5 m and 500 kg, opening up to 129°.
When is an articulated arm the better choice?
When the hinges sit well back from the pillar face, a ram’s rod cannot swing the leaf without fouling the pillar, and an articulated arm folds around that corner. CAME also notes that operators fitted on the pillar and leaf generally give easier access for installation, adjustment and maintenance than an underground unit. If your C dimension is beyond the limits of the rams above, send us a photo of the hinge and pillar taken from above, and we will tell you which arm-type or underground option fits.
Is an underground swing gate motor worth it?
An underground operator keeps the entrance looking as it was designed, which is why it suits ornamental gates. The trade-off is the groundwork: CAME notes that underground installation needs specific excavation and proper drainage.
- Nice L-FAB: leaves up to 4 m, IP67, opening to 110° as standard and up to 360° with the BMA1 accessory. The LFAB4000 is 230 Vac and the LFAB4024 is 24 Vdc with a magnetic encoder. Nice sells the foundation boxes and release mechanisms as separate codes.
- LIFE ERGO: fitted in a foundation box below the gate post with a jointed arm to the leaf, for leaves of 3 m or 4 m depending on version, IP67 and rated from −20 to +70 °C. Our kit has two 230 V motors, and LIFE sells the foundation boxes separately.
Opening direction, angle and electric locks
Check which way the leaves open, then compare the angle you need with the maker’s maximum: FAAC gives 110° for the 415, BFT 129° for the PHOBOS AC A50 and Somfy up to 125° inward for the IXENGO L 230V. Long leaves often need an electric lock to hold them shut: Nice’s catalogue lists its 12 V electric locks as required for gates longer than 3 m, and FAAC’s longer ratings for the 415 assume a lock is fitted.
What to send us
Send photos from inside the plot, one of the hinge and pillar from above, the leaf length and the opening direction on WhatsApp 058 946 7663, and we will reply with the type and model that fit. We deliver across the UAE and install in Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi and Ajman. Installations by our team include a 1-year installation warranty plus one free maintenance visit, and the motor carries its own separate 1-year product warranty.
Frequently asked questions
How do I choose a swing gate motor?
Start with the leaf: its length, its weight and the distance from the hinge axis to the pillar face. Those three numbers decide whether a ram, an articulated arm or an underground motor will fit. Then check how often the gate is used and whether it must keep working in a power cut.
Which type suits wide or deep pillars?
An articulated arm, as a rule. A linear ram only works while the hinge-to-pillar distance stays within the model’s limit; CAME gives 155 mm for its NEW ATI linear operators and 200 mm for its ATS telescopic arm. Past those limits, CAME moves to an articulated arm. An underground motor avoids the pillar altogether.
Can I fit an underground motor to my existing gate?
It can be, but it is a bigger job than fitting a ram. The foundation box goes into the ground under the hinge, so the paving there is dug out and drainage is planned. Send photos of the hinges and the ground beneath them and we will check.
Is a swing gate motor kit enough for a double gate?
Check what the kit contains. Each leaf needs its own operator, run from one control board. Our LIFE ERGO kit, for example, has two motors, a control unit, photocells, a flashing light and two remotes, but not the foundation boxes, which LIFE sells separately.
