Super Power Jack HARL actuators – cheap motors (not) for the gate?

Remotely opened gates

Gate automation is an extraordinary boon. Opening a gate remotely is so much easier. For example, you can enter the property without getting out of the car, which is of great importance especially when the weather outside is such that you would not even chase your dog out of the house ;)

When you buy a professional gate operator, you probably hope that you spend money on reliable equipment that will serve you for many years without failure. But simultaneously, of course, you want it to be as cheap as possible.

It’s understandable that you don’t want to spend more if you can purchase a cheaper gate motor and get the same effect. But is this how it works?

Cheap or good?

Ask yourself this question when you are considering purchasing a gate actuator.

It can be cheap, but it won’t necessarily be good. The other way around: more expensive does not necessarily mean better.

In expensive machines of well-known brands, a large part of the price is determined by the “brand stamp”.

When looking for a cheaper alternative to expensive branded gate automation, customers often find Super Power Jack HARL actuators. One hundred and a few dozen zlotys for a gate actuator is actually very little. And the parameters only seem to confirm that it is an excellent choice.

However, after taking a closer look at them, you often find that this is not necessarily the case. Why?

Cheap Super Power Jack HARL actuators – why are they so cheap?

In short: because they are not made, for example, like the more expensive (and undoubtedly better) ETM series swing gate actuators.

First of all, Super Power Jack HARL actuators do not have metal gears in the gearbox. All gears are made of plastic – so they will not be as durable and robust as the metal ones in ETM series actuators.

Secondly, the production of Super Power Jack HARL actuators did not give priority to high work culture, reliability and durability of the product. The actuators were just supposed to be very cheap. They were not designed for typical gate operation. They were supposed to give the opportunity to build remotely controlled mechanisms, like gates or flaps, at the lowest cost possible. Unfortunately, it is impossible to produce something cheap as fish & chips and at the same time as exquisite and delicious as Beef Wellington :) Therefore, something had to be neglected in the Super Power Jack HARL actuators to keep the price low. Hence, the plastic gears, higher noise levels during operation, poorer quality and parts fitting. But the price is very low!

The result of the mentioned compromises: the Super Power Jack HARL actuators. They couldn’t be cheaper. Of course, we are talking about actuators that will be able to lift something and will not break down after one cycle of work. Probably even cheaper equipment could be made, but would such an actuator be able to do its job at least once?

But are they good for something?

Of course, they are! They have many uses.

They are very often used in agriculture for leveling the sprayer beam, for controlling tramlines in seeders, for various types of flaps and manholes in vehicles and agricultural machines.

They are also very popular in the area of amateur applications. They successfully open doors in hen houses, control the position of solar panels in “handmade” installations (and not only), open windows in greenhouses, and have many other uses.

But all the above-mentioned applications of these actuators have one thing in common: effortless, occasional operation, where no high work culture is required, but only the right force and convenient supply voltage. The Super Power Jack HARL actuator will do the job when you need it infrequently. But if it had to work non-stop “back and forth” and under heavy load, then this is unfortunately not this kind of equipment, it’s far from top shelf…

Are they even suitable for gates?

Yes and no…

If you have a “backup” gate that you use occasionally and only if you remember that it exists at the back of the plot, using the Super Power Jack HARL actuator may make sense there and only because it will be used occasionally and because it is very cheap :) Of course you also have to have realistic expectations from the equipment at such a price ;)

However, if you have a gate that is used several times a day, to save your nerves, it is better to think about professional actuators for swing gates, e.g. from the ETM series :) Of course, there are people who use Super Power Jack HARL actuators and are even satisfied with them. They are rather customers who like to tinker, DIY enthusiasts – and certainly with realistic expectations, looking at the price of the product. But the opinions were mostly the same: that it is not the best equipment for gates that are used on every day basis and if you want to enjoy a long and trouble-free operation, it is better to buy more reliable ETMs.

So! To buy or not to buy? This is the question!

The answer from the “sellers” point of view is obvious: Buy! Even just to have it lying around in the garage unused :)

But seriously, when deciding to buy a gate actuator, ask yourself what you want to achieve.

“The gate is supposed to open and close – it’s probably clear, right?”

Of course! But how often is it supposed to do this? What minimum service life of the gate opener do you need? I mean, do you need anything for a short time because you will be leaving the house anyway, or would you like to buy a gate automation “once and for all” and have peace of mind for years?

If you want something for a long time, then I sincerely advise against Super Power Jack HARL actuators. For a long time of trouble-free operation, we have other sets – the ETMs –  and I sincerely recommend this equipment.

But for a moment, for a gate that opens very rarely, like a backdoor, a “backup” entrance, if high work culture or failure-free operation are not your priority … The Super Power Jack HARL actuator will surely satisfy you :)

Finally, a small bonus for the persistent and looking for professional actuators for their swing gate intended for self-assembly. With the discount code below, you will receive a discount on the purchase of the ETM-01 Light, ETM-01 and ETM-02.

Discount code: mojetm