When a motorized bottom rolling hangar door is opening or closing, the motorized leaf must be able to “pick up” the trailing leaves. This can be accomplished using either pickup brackets or a cable system.
All motorized hangar doors come standard with pickup brackets, but continue reading to see when upgrading to a cable system makes sense.
The Standard: Pickup Bracket System
Pickup brackets are staggered on each door leaf. As the motorized leaf — known as the drive leaf — approaches each idle leaf, the pickup bracket engages to collect and carry it. The process works in reverse when closing the door.
Constructed from steel, pickup brackets are designed to handle the operational loads from the lead leaf. They include a rubber bumper to reduce noise and absorb impact.
Pickup brackets are often preferred when space behind or between the doors is limited, when door leaves are smaller than 30’×30′, or when cost is a major consideration. For safety, brackets are installed at a minimum height of 9 ft to prevent injury or hazards.
Upgraded Option: Cable Systems
A cable system links all the door leaves so they move together smoothly, preventing the leaves from contacting one another. This makes cable systems the preferred choice for reducing impact and potential fatigue, especially on large, heavy doors. Upgrading to a cable system is easily justified, as it eliminates panel impact during operation and reduces overall mechanical wear and tear.
Cable systems require additional spacing between door leaves to accommodate the sheave brackets and wire rope. After installation, allow time for the door and cable system to settle, then AeroDoor or the service crew will need to perform an initial cable stretch adjustment.
Pricing & Use Case Comparison
| Pickup Bracket System | Preferred with limited space between doors | For smaller, lighter, or shorter doors under 40 feet | $150 – 250 per door leaf | Lower cost, limited spacing, more contact and shorter life span |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cable System | Requires some space between leaves | For larger, heavier doors greater than 40 feet. | $6 – 20k based on system requirements | Higher cost option, but improved operation, minimal contact and long shelf life. |
Pickup brackets come standard on every motorized hangar door, with costs typically ranging from $150 to $250 per door leaf.
Cable systems, on the other hand, can range from $6,000 to $20,000 depending on the door configuration and other factors, and they also require more installation labor.
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