Garage door opener

• Belly35

  

  Solid wooden 16 foot, four panel garage door. Replaced the springs, cables and adjusted track. In the past 15 years replaced two openers both Sear 1/2 hp. The problem is the nylon gears strip out, on the Sears chIn drive.
  Now that could be because the weight of the door and the weak springs and the limited 1/2 power.
  
  question.. I have three options.
  1 1/4 hp belt drive
  1 hp screw driven drive
  3/4 hp chain driven with nylon gears
  
  Anyone have a screw drive opener or a belt drive?
• Tiernan

  Screw Drive is always better than chain or belt, little more expensive usually but worth the difference in life cycle cost.
• Tiernan

  One other thing but minor...you do have to lube a screw drive appx twice a year to reduce noise but it's a 5 min job.
• Wally

  Screw drive is the way to go.
• Belly35

  

  This door required 300 pound side springs so the door is very heavy, I know the side spring provide the addition lift and lowering tension is the 1 hp screw drive type good with that weight factor.
• Tiernan

  Depends on the hp but the recommended Mgfr rating will be listed.