[Just_Build_It]

I believe that might be the answer you just described. I watched a few YouTube videos of the life sized in operation. Actually Feather Lite has a good video of how those gates work on their trailers. In the video that I watched they use 2 separate cables at different lengths. One is for raising and lowering and the the other is for closing. Things seem to be coming more clear.

I ran through a couple ideas for exactly as you described for the action of the gate. I might have to see if I have two small 1:10 which motors for a screw drive and where I would have to mount them to achieve the proper landing. Since they can't sit on top or bottom for clearance issues considering how the screw drive mothers will have to be mounted vertical... Unless I can fabricat some kind of ring and pinion as in a differetial.

I do plan for a better longer and lower approach angle ramps, which won't be an issue.