Swing Gate Motors come in two main designs. One swing gate motor type consist of submerged motor boxes that link to each leaf of a swing gate by two-piece arms. The rotation of the motor causes the arms to either pull or push the gate leaf open or closed.

Swing gate motors are usually limited by internal electronic counters effecting the full closed and open positions. The other swing gate motor type consist of a motor that is linked to the wall or pillar next to the gate leaf and connects to the swing gate leaf by pivot joints. These motors are linear devices that push out or pull in a piston-type single arm that thus opens or closes the gate leaf.