FAAC hydraulic and electromechanical gate operators. 400, 412, 620, S800H underground serviced.
A.J. is extremely knowledgeable and technically brilliant. He solved the problem when nobody else could. Highly recommend.
FAAC is the Italian brand that bet everything on hydraulics. While most gate operators on the market use electromechanical motors with gears and chains, FAAC builds hydraulic piston-driven operators that push gates open with fluid pressure. It’s the same principle as heavy construction equipment, scaled down for gate automation. The result is an operator that’s smoother, quieter, and longer-lasting than gear-driven alternatives. We’ve seen FAAC 400 series units running strong after 20+ years of daily use.
The Tech Guys Doors and Gates services every FAAC operator installed across LA County. The 400 and 402 series hydraulic swing gates. The 390 and 391 residential units. The newer S800H hybrid. The S418 electromechanical swing. The 844ER and 746ER slide operators. Even the C720 and C721 barrier arms. FAAC International is one of the largest gate automation companies in the world. They also own Viking Access Systems, which means strong parts supply and engineering resources behind everything they make.
Here’s what you need to know about FAAC: the hydraulic system is their greatest strength and their biggest maintenance requirement. Other brands don’t need seal service. FAAC does. But a well-maintained FAAC operator will outlast every electromechanical unit in the same application. If you keep up with the hydraulic service, these things run practically forever.
FAAC gate leaking oil or running slow? We service every model.
Same-day diagnosis. Hydraulic service and seal kits in stock. Or request an estimate online.
FAAC makes operators for swing gates, slide gates, and barrier arms. Most of their lineup is hydraulic, which is what sets them apart from every other brand we work on.
| Model | Power | Capacity | Cycle Rate | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 400 Series | 115VAC | 1,300 lbs / 18 ft | 80 cycles/hr | Heavy-duty commercial, estates |
| 402 Series | 115VAC | 900 lbs / 10 ft | 55 cycles/hr | Apartments, commercial, residential |
| S800H | 24VDC (battery backup) | 1,760 lbs / 16 ft | 90° in 11 sec | Commercial, high-end residential |
| 390 Series | 115VAC | Light residential | Standard | Single-family driveways |
| 391 Series | 115VAC | Residential | Standard | Residential swing gates |
| Model | Type | Capacity | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| S418 | Electromechanical swing | Residential | Budget residential swing gates |
| 844ER | Slide gate operator | Commercial | Commercial slide gates |
| 746ER | Slide gate operator | Residential | Residential slide gates |
| C720 | Barrier arm | Up to 13 ft arm | Parking, commercial access |
| C721 | Barrier arm | Up to 20 ft arm | Wide lanes, commercial |
The S800H is worth a special mention. It’s FAAC’s newest hydraulic swing operator. It runs on 24VDC with battery backup, pushes up to 1,760 lbs, and completes a 90-degree swing in 11 seconds. It’s a hybrid design that combines the durability of hydraulic operation with the convenience of DC power and backup batteries. For new installations on heavy gates, this is the model we’re recommending most often right now.
After
Replacing an old Elite gate opener with a new All-O-Matic SL-90DC
The SL-90DC Pro is best for up to 1,600 lbs and 50-foot-long gates. It also includes a battery backup.
Before
Our Swing Gate Work
FAAC operators are built to last decades. But they have a hydraulic system that requires specific maintenance and creates specific failure modes you won’t see on other brands. Here’s what brings people to us most often.
This is the number one FAAC-specific issue, and it’s the one that catches owners off guard. The hydraulic pistons that drive your gate use rubber seals to contain the fluid. Those seals degrade over time. After 5 to 10 years, you’ll start seeing oil leaking from the piston cylinder. Small drips on the ground under the operator. A film of hydraulic fluid on the piston rod.
A small leak doesn’t mean the operator is dead. It means the seals need replacing. We carry the FAAC seal kit (part #2167.1 for the 400 series) and perform the rebuild on site. The process involves draining the hydraulic fluid, pulling the piston, replacing the seals, refilling with fresh fluid, and bleeding the system. If you catch it early, it’s a straightforward service. If you ignore it, the system loses pressure and the gate stops holding position or stops moving entirely.
Our honest advice: if your FAAC operator is over 7 years old and you’ve never had the seals checked, schedule a service. Don’t wait for the puddle on your driveway.
Hydraulic fluid changes viscosity with temperature. In LA summers, when ambient temperatures push past 100°F and the operator housing gets even hotter, the fluid thins out. This can cause slower operation, inconsistent gate speed, or the gate drifting past its stopping point. In winter mornings (cold by LA standards), thicker fluid means the gate moves sluggish until the operator warms up.
During service, we check the fluid level, condition, and viscosity. Fluid that’s been in the system for 10+ years often has moisture contamination and particulate debris that accelerate seal and pump wear. A full fluid change during a seal service is standard practice for us. Clean fluid protects the new seals and keeps everything running at the right speed.
The solenoid valves in a FAAC hydraulic operator control which direction the fluid flows. Open, close, hold. When a solenoid valve fails, the gate drifts out of position after stopping, won’t hold open under wind load, or moves in one direction but not the other. These symptoms confuse a lot of gate companies who don’t have experience with hydraulic operators. They’ll diagnose it as a board problem or a motor problem because that’s what those symptoms mean on other brands.
On a FAAC, it’s the solenoid. We test valve function with a multimeter and check for fluid flow through each port. A failed solenoid gets replaced. This is one of those repairs where experience with hydraulic operators specifically makes all the difference.
Power surges kill FAAC boards just like they kill every other brand’s boards. The gate goes completely dead, or it behaves erratically. On FAAC operators, a fried board also means the hydraulic system is uncontrolled, which can leave the gate stuck in whatever position it was in when the board failed.
We replace FAAC boards and reprogram the open/close limits, speed, and force settings. If your FAAC operator is on a property without surge protection, adding a surge protector is smart insurance against board damage.
Your FAAC gate used to open in 8 seconds, and now it takes 15. Slow operation on a hydraulic operator means one of three things: low hydraulic fluid, a worn pump, or degraded seals causing internal bypass. The fluid is leaking past the seals inside the cylinder instead of pushing the piston. Pressure drops, speed drops.
We check fluid level first. If the level is fine, we check system pressure. Low pressure with a full reservoir points to a seal bypass or worn pump components. A seal rebuild usually restores full speed. Pump rebuilds are less common but we handle those too when needed.
One of the advantages of FAAC hydraulic operators is hydraulic locking. When the gate reaches its open or closed position, the hydraulic pressure holds it there. No separate electric lock needed. But if the seals are leaking or a solenoid valve isn’t holding, the gate slowly drifts open or closed on its own. On a windy day in the canyons, a gate without hydraulic lock becomes a safety problem.
This symptom is always hydraulic. Either a seal rebuild or a solenoid replacement restores the lock function. We never recommend adding an electric lock to compensate for a failing hydraulic lock. Fix the hydraulic system. That’s what it’s there for.
We stock the hydraulic service components that cover the most common FAAC repairs, along with the electronic parts shared across the product line.
FAAC International has a strong parts distribution network. For anything we don’t carry on the truck, we can source parts within 2 to 5 business days. FAAC’s acquisition of Viking Access has actually improved parts availability in the US market.
More Real Installations
After
FAAC operators have a different cost structure than electromechanical brands because of the hydraulic system. Seal rebuilds and fluid service are unique to FAAC. The parts aren’t expensive, but the labor requires a technician who knows hydraulic systems. Board replacements are comparable to other commercial-grade brands.
FAAC repairs involve more diagnostic steps than a standard electromechanical operator. We need to check hydraulic pressure, fluid condition, seal integrity, solenoid function, and electronic controls. We provide a written quote before any work begins.
For FAAC operators over 15 years old facing a major hydraulic rebuild, we’ll give you a straight comparison of rebuild cost vs. replacement cost. A full hydraulic overhaul on a 400 series can cost less than half of what a new operator costs, and the rebuilt unit will run another 10 to 15 years. It’s often the smarter investment.
No. Oil leaking from the piston means the hydraulic seals have degraded. This happens after 5 to 10 years of operation and it’s normal wear. We replace the seals, change the fluid, and the operator runs like new. The key is not to ignore it. A slow leak becomes a fast leak, and eventually you lose enough fluid that the gate stops moving. Catch it early and the repair is straightforward.
Three possible causes. Low hydraulic fluid (check for leaks). Worn seals causing internal bypass (fluid leaks past the seals inside the cylinder instead of pushing the piston). Or a worn pump that isn’t generating enough pressure. We check all three during diagnosis. A seal rebuild with fresh fluid fixes the problem in most cases.
FAAC operators use hydraulic pressure to lock the gate in position. If the gate is drifting, the hydraulic lock isn’t holding. This is usually a solenoid valve that isn’t seating properly or seals that are allowing internal fluid bypass. It’s a hydraulic issue, not an electrical one. We test the solenoid valves and check seal integrity to find the source.
Technically, yes. Practically, most can’t. FAAC hydraulic operators are fundamentally different from the electromechanical operators that make up 90% of the gates in LA. If your gate tech opens the operator and doesn’t recognize the hydraulic pistons and solenoid valve assembly, they’re going to struggle. We’ve taken over FAAC repairs from other companies that misdiagnosed hydraulic problems as electrical failures. If you’ve got a FAAC, you need someone who’s worked on FAAC units specifically.
Yes. FAAC International acquired Viking Access Systems in 2019. They’re now part of the same parent company. This is good news for owners of either brand because it means shared engineering resources, stronger parts distribution in the US, and long-term support for the full product line. We service FAAC and Viking operators and carry parts for both.
Annual inspection at minimum. During a service visit, we check hydraulic fluid level and condition, inspect seals for leaks, test solenoid valve function, verify photo eye alignment, and run the gate through full open/close cycles under load. For commercial installations running high cycles, we recommend service every 6 months. Proactive seal replacement every 7 to 10 years prevents most of the major failures we see.
FAAC Hydraulic Gate Not Working? We Specialize in These.
Same-day service across Los Angeles County. Seal kits and hydraulic parts in stock.
(310) 400-0314
We understand hydraulic gate systems. FAAC operators aren’t like other brands. They require a technician who can diagnose hydraulic pressure, seal condition, solenoid function, and fluid integrity. We don’t treat FAAC operators like electromechanical units and guess at the problem.
We carry FAAC hydraulic parts. Seal kits, hydraulic fluid, solenoid valves, control boards. On the truck, ready for same-day service. A seal rebuild that other companies need two visits for, we complete in one.
We service the full FAAC lineup. 400 series heavy-duty. 402 commercial. 390 and 391 residential. S800H hybrid. 844ER and 746ER slide gates. C720 and C721 barriers. Current models and older units that have been running for 15+ years.
We know the FAAC-Viking connection. Same parent company, shared engineering, compatible parts pipeline. If you’ve got FAAC and Viking operators on the same property, we service them with full knowledge of how the brands relate.
LA County coverage. We service the Westside, South Bay, and all of LA County. Same-day appointments available for most areas.
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