Mighty Mule Automatic Gate Opener for Heavy Duty Single Swing Gates for 18 Feet Long or 850 Pounds (FM500)

This opener replaced the GTO1000 that operated perfectly for 13 years. I chose the FM500 because I needed a push to open unit. Plus it seemed beefier than the FM350 and didn't require a car battery. using the video and manual, I installed the unit in about 2 hours. I followed the instructions to set the open stops and it was perfect on the first attempt. The piece that bolts to your gate has slotted holes so that if you drill your holes centered in the slot, you easily adjust your closing stop moving the gate piece.It comes with only one remote, but I had 3 left over from my previous opener. I was easily able to set my old remotes to the new code.Simple to install. Easy to adjust stops, timed closing and other remotes. Works perfect. If one month from now, I start experiencing the issues other people have, I'll adjust my review.

This was bought to replace a GTO (Mighty Mule) 2500. The 2500 is a so called Pro model but I think it is just a relabeling of a Mighty Mule 350 only with the arm used on the 500 model. All the components look identical. The 2500 lasted one month shy of 10 years and the original battery was still working. The unit failed due to something going bad in the circuit board (green board as opposed to the current blue board). A replacement board is more than half the price of this new unit on Amazon so here I am with a complete new unit with an 18 month guaranty. Not too tough a choice. Since the gate was already set up for the 2500, which is the same size, the whole job took about an hour and a half. This new one is easier to hook up and it did not require me to splice into wires to hook up the lock that I already had, just screw down two wires on the PC board. It was easier to set up the limits than the old one too. The new unit has a better ramp down on its auto slow down function and is a lot quieter running. Maybe the old one had gotten noisier but I do remember thinking when I first used the old one that it was kind of loud. Not so with the new one. Very smooth subdued sound.All in all I am quite satisfied with GTO products. I am not quite sure why some people have had problems. I saw a review where someone complained about bugs getting into the control box and damaging the board. 10 years on my first one and not one bug inside. I didn't even use sealant on the wires entering the box. I did this time just in case though. Point is, if you think bugs might get in seal the holes, maybe use some insecticide in the box. Also, if you have a solid gate and you live in a windy area get an electric lock like GTO recommends so that the arm doesn't take the stress of the wind blowing on it when closed. I makes it harder for the bad guys to get in too.Time will tell if this new one holds up as well as the first one and I will update if I have problems.

I've had two of these, one worked for 2 years and then stopped working. I bought another one simply because the install would be easier, and this one only lasted a few weeks before it started acting up. Basically would not work, I tried calling customer support and every time I called there would be 10+ other callers ahead of me, I tried their "Call Back" feature where they will give you a call once available, 1 hour later I did get a call however it rang once and then hung up....so after several 1+ hour attempts I am throwing in the towel and going with another brand. Mighty Mule clearly has problems with their products and their customer service department is obviously too small.HIGHLY SUGGEST A DIFFERENT BRAND!!!!!!!BTW- the problems were not gate related, as there was no binding on the gate and my 2 year old son can easily push the gate open and closed. The problems were electronic, I assume a glitchy board.MD

Just purchased another FM500 to replace one in use for 5 years.Started having opener show signs of wear and need of service.On cold days which warm up say 20F morning to 60F+ in afternoon.Gate will overtravel open position signaling ( Long Beep )with slack in linear drive. This opener is used 4-6 times a day every day.All that is necessary is push gate towards close, cycle power and close gate.If temperature is more steady or no heavy wind no problem noted. Overall for the price with 5 years of use a great product. Some learning curve with it when new.Unit has Solar 5 Watt Panel and 2 batteries. Been through 10 days without sun, Ice 1" thick during that time, Electric lock operating having to clear ice from arm and lock.Unit has a few instructions that are critical to follow to the letter follow them. I am pleased enough to purchase another unit. Batterys need replaced about 2 years, one going before the other. Plan to repair old unit and place on second gate used less.Price at Amazon best found. With Prime Shipping.I do CNC and Industrial control repair just to let you know:

It works, finally. Like so many other purchasers mine did not work out of the box. Tech support was courteous and reasonably easy to get through to (and knowledgeable). Just like many others my circuit board was no good so they wanted me to send it back. They will NOT send you a replacement until they receive yours so there was almost a two week down time while waiting for a new board. Since install it has been working fine except my remote controls only work within about 20 feet (no outside interference) of the unit. My gate is a very light weight 16' stock gate and I made the pivot point as short as recommended (6") so with this heavy duty unit the gate opens reasonably fast. Not a bad product once you get it working. I used this to replace my GTO Pro 2000 (no longer available and no parts available either) which was a very good unit. It seems that when they want to sell the new stuff they just quit servicing the old stuff.

Works on and off. I would say for a year, it was perfect. Then it s*** the bed and I had to send it in. They replaced chip board and it worked again for less then a year. Currently not working again for the last 4 months. About 40$ to mail it in and they don't par for it. I would say Do NOT buy, it's not dependable and very unreliable. I Prob will throw it in this trash