Sargent 281 Powerglide Cast Ir...
IN STOCK (leaves warehouse same day if ordered before 3pm ET)
$872.00
$504.36
281

Sargent 281 Powerglide Cast Iron Surface Door Closer with Heavy-Duty Construction

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Model: 281 O EN
$872.00
$504.36
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In Stock (leaves warehouse same day if ordered before 3pm ET)

$872.00
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Sargent 281 Series Powerglide Cast Iron Surface Door Closer with Heavy-Duty Construction

Professional Cast Iron Door Closer for Standard and Top Jamb Applications

The Sargent 281 Series Powerglide Cast Iron Door Closer delivers superior strength and wear resistance through its heavy-duty one-piece cast iron body construction. Designed to meet facilities maintaining cast iron specifications, this commercial-grade door closer operates effectively in extreme heat and cold without readjustment and meets ADA requirements in all applications except push-side track applications. The versatile mounting design permits standard, top jamb, parallel and track installations for both interior and exterior applications.

Professional Features & Benefits

  • Heavy-Duty Cast Iron Construction: One-piece cast iron body provides superior strength and exceptional wear resistance for demanding commercial applications.
  • Extreme Temperature Performance: Operates effectively in extreme heat and cold conditions without requiring readjustment for consistent performance year-round.
  • Versatile Mounting Options: Accommodates standard, top jamb, parallel and track installations for flexible application requirements.
  • ADA Compliance: Meets ADA requirements in all applications except push-side track applications for accessibility compliance.
  • Interior and Exterior Applications: Suitable for both indoor and outdoor installations with weather-resistant performance.
  • Front-Facing Valves: Easy installation and maintenance access with front-facing valve configuration.
  • Full Complement of Arm Types: Multiple arm configurations available to suit various door and frame requirements.
  • ANSI/BHMA Certified: ANSI/BHMA A156.19 certification ensures professional-grade performance standards.

Technical Specifications

  • Refer to manufacturer documentation for complete technical specifications.

Installation & Operation

  1. Review manufacturer specifications and verify door preparation requirements including door thickness, stile width, and handing as applicable to this product.
  2. Use manufacturer-provided templates to mark mounting hole locations accurately on door and/or frame surfaces.
  3. Prepare door and frame by drilling required holes and routing as specified in manufacturer instructions.
  4. Install all mounting hardware and secure the device to door and frame per manufacturer torque specifications.
  5. Adjust operational components for proper alignment, latching, and smooth operation throughout the full range of motion.
  6. Test device operation to verify proper function and make final adjustments as needed. Refer to manufacturer documentation for complete installation details and troubleshooting.

Professional Applications

  • Commercial Office Buildings
  • Educational Facilities
  • Healthcare Institutions
  • Retail Establishments
  • Industrial and Warehouse Facilities
  • Multi-Tenant Residential Properties
  • Government and Municipal Buildings

Why Choose Sargent Quality?

Sargent door closer products deliver professional-grade reliability with heavy-duty one-piece cast iron construction rated for extreme temperature performance without readjustment. ANSI/BHMA A156.19 certification and ADA compliance ensure dependable operation in demanding commercial applications where dependable performance is essential.

 

Product Specs

Series:
281 Series
Grade:
Grade 1
Product Type:
Surface Mounted Door Closers
Duty Level:
Heavy Duty
Product Group:
Door Controls
Product Subgroup:
Door Closers - Surface Mounted
Subcategory:
Door Closers
ADA Compliant:
Yes
Commercial/Residential:
Commercial
Arm Specification:
Interchangeable
Delay Function:
Yes
Mounting Method:
Surface
Product Category:
Door Controls
Department:
Door Hardware

Parts & Accessories

    Sargent 281 O EN – Frequently Asked Questions

    1) Will the Sargent 281 door closer work on a parallel arm application, or is it only for pull side?
    The 281 Powerglide closer mounts four ways: standard (pull side), top jamb, parallel arm, and track. That covers push side and pull side on both interior and exterior openings, so one closer body handles most of a building's openings and you pick the arm to suit. Note the ADA opening force compliance holds in every one of those applications except push side track.
    2) Do I have to specify handing when ordering a Sargent 281 surface closer?
    Yes, handing is a required selection on the 281: right hand or left hand. Determine it from the hinge side as you stand outside the opening (the secure or key side), and order to match. There is a universal arm option too, the UO standard or UH hold open, which mounts standard, top jamb or parallel.
    3) Is the Sargent 281 closer a hold open closer, and can I add one later?
    Both. Order the 281 with a hold open arm (H, H8, HZ, HZA, H10, or the universal UH) or with a non hold open standard arm (O, O8, OZ, OZA, O10, OLC, UO). The arms are interchangeable on the closer body, so a standard arm opening can be converted to hold open later by swapping the arm rather than replacing the closer. Do not use a mechanical hold open on a fire rated opening.
    4) My spec calls for a cast iron door closer. Is the Sargent 281 cast iron or aluminum?
    One piece cast iron body. If your facility standard or the drawing calls out cast iron, the 281 meets it, which is precisely why it exists alongside aluminum bodied closers. Among other brands we carry, the LCN 1261 is also a cast iron closer, though it is rated light to medium duty rather than heavy duty. Cast aluminum options like the Falcon SC71A heavy duty or the SC81A medium duty will not satisfy a cast iron spec.
    5) Does the Sargent 281 meet ADA opening force requirements?
    The 281 is ADA compliant in every mounting except push side track. If your accessible route requires it and you were planning a track application on the push side, use one of the standard, top jamb or parallel arm mountings instead, or select a different closer for that opening.
    6) What is the closest heavy duty cast iron alternative to the Sargent 281 door closer?
    The LCN 1261 is the nearest cast iron equivalent. The Sargent 281 is a heavy duty Grade 1 surface mounted closer with a one-piece cast iron body, while the LCN 1261 also uses cast iron construction with adjustable spring sizes 1 through 5 and is rated light to medium duty. If the specification calls for cast iron but at a lower duty level, the 1261 covers it; if the spec calls for cast iron at heavy duty, the Sargent 281 is the match.
    7) What heavy duty Grade 1 surface closers can replace a Sargent 281 on a commercial opening?
    Several heavy duty Grade 1 surface mounted closers cover the same opening. The BEST HD8000 Series and the Falcon SC71A Series are both heavy duty Grade 1 surface mount closers, and the Dormakaba 8616 is a heavy duty Grade 1 closer supplied with a flat non-hold-open arm in a tri-pack. The Sargent 281 differs in body material, using one-piece cast iron, and in arm range, with hold open, standard, mortise foot, deep reveal and universal arms all offered.
    8) What should I use instead of a Sargent 281 if the closer needs to mount on an aluminum storefront door?
    The Norton Rixson 1600BC Series is built for aluminum storefront doors and is a heavy duty Grade 1 closer with tri-style mounting. The Sargent 281 is a heavy duty Grade 1 surface closer that mounts standard, top jamb, parallel or track, so it is not restricted to a single mounting style either, but the 1600 Series is the one described for storefront work.
    9) If the opening needs a slide track closer rather than a standard arm, what do I order instead of a Sargent 281?
    The Corbin Russwin DC5230 Series is a Grade 1 surface closer supplied with a slide track arm as standard for pull side mounting on 1-3/4 inch doors. The Sargent 281 does accept track installation and meets ADA requirements in every application except push-side track, so on a push-side track opening the DC5230 pull side arrangement is the one to specify.
    10) What is the TB option on a Sargent 281 closer and when do I need it?
    TB is through bolt hardware for 1-3/4 inch doors. Order it when the door will not hold wood or machine screws on its own, typically hollow metal with thin face sheets, mineral core wood doors, or an opening where a previous closer has already stripped the mounting holes. Sex bolts pull the closer against both faces of the door instead of relying on the skin. On solid substrates that hold a fastener, the standard mounting is fine.
    11) Does the Sargent 281 have delayed action for accessible or high traffic doors?
    Delayed action is available on the 281 as the DA option, and it has to be specified when you order. It holds the door near full open for a few seconds before the normal closing cycle begins, which is what you want on healthcare corridors, doors used with carts or wheelchairs, and any opening where someone needs extra time to clear the swing. Standard closers without DA start closing immediately.
    12) Will a Sargent 281 closer hold its adjustment on an exterior door through winter and summer?
    That is the case for the 281. It is built to operate in extreme heat and cold without readjustment, so an exterior entrance does not need a seasonal valve tweak to keep closing at the same speed. The one piece cast iron body is what carries that duty, and it is a Grade 1 heavy duty closer.
    13) What certification does the Sargent 281 closer carry for a spec submittal?
    ANSI/BHMA A156.19 certified, Grade 1, heavy duty, and listed for commercial use. That is the line to put on a submittal for an institutional or government project where the closer standard is called out.
    14) What are the alternatives to the Sargent 281 for a heavy duty commercial door closer?
    Other Grade 1 heavy duty surface closers we carry include the BEST HD8000 Series and the extra heavy duty BEST EHD9000 Series, the Falcon SC71A, the Dormakaba 8600 Series, and the Corbin Russwin DC8000 Series. If the opening is lighter, an interior office door rather than an exterior entrance, a medium duty closer such as the BEST HD7000 or Norton Rixson 8501A is the more usual choice. Go back to the 281 when the spec names cast iron or the door sees severe conditions.
    15) Is there a lighter duty surface closer to use instead of the Sargent 281 on an interior office door?
    Yes. The Sargent 281 is built heavy duty with a one-piece cast iron body for demanding commercial use. For lighter interior traffic, the BEST SL6000 Series is a light duty Grade 1 surface mounted closer with adjustable spring sizes, the Arrow DC314 is a light duty Grade 1 surface mounted closer, and the Norton Rixson 160 Series is a light duty Grade 1 light commercial surface closer. All three are surface mounted the same way the 281 is.
    16) What is the difference between the Sargent 281 and the Corbin Russwin DC8200?
    Both are Grade 1 surface door closers. The Corbin Russwin DC8200 Series is furnished as a double lever regular arm for pull side mounting on 1-3/4 inch doors. The Sargent 281 uses a one-piece cast iron body, carries a heavy duty rating, and is ordered with a choice of arm including hold open, mortise foot, deep reveal, low ceiling and universal arms across standard, top jamb, parallel and track mountings.
    17) The Sargent 25-H arm looks like a substitute for the closer itself. Is it?
    No. The Sargent 25-H is a hold-open arm that fits 281 and 351 closers in standard and top jamb mount, not a closer body. Ordering an arm alone leaves the opening without the hydraulic unit. If a complete heavy duty Grade 1 closer is what the job needs, the Sargent 281 itself or a peer such as the BEST EHD9000 Series extra heavy duty Grade 1 closer with adjustable spring sizes 1 through 6 is the item to order.
    18) Is a Cal-Royal 400 Series closer an equivalent to the Sargent 281?
    They are not on the same rating. The Cal-Royal 400 Series is a Grade 2 commercial hydraulic door closer, while the Sargent 281 is Grade 1 and heavy duty. Where a Grade 1 barrier free Cal-Royal unit is wanted, the Cal-Royal 500S and the Cal-Royal 700S dual valve sized closer with adjustable tube arm are the Grade 1 units in that line.
    19) We standardize on hold open closers across the property. What are the options besides the Sargent 281?
    The Sargent 281 is ordered with hold open arms including the H hold open, H8 mortise foot hold open, HZ for deep reveals, HZA for extra deep reveals and the UH universal hold arm. In other lines, the Accentra 51 Series is furnished with a tri-packed hold open arm in sizes 1 through 6, and the Orca BHDC1958HO is a hold open closer with a parallel bracket for 1-3/4 inch doors.
    20) What is a Grade 1 tri-mount closer to consider against the Sargent 281?
    The Norton Rixson 8501A is a Grade 1 tri-mount surface closer with an adjustable size 1 through 6 spring at medium duty, and the Norton Rixson 1601P is a Grade 1 tri-mount closer with 180 degree swing, also medium duty. The Dexter DCH1000 Series is a Grade 1 surface closer with tri mount regular, parallel or top jamb mounting and a full cover. The Sargent 281 differs in being heavy duty with a cast iron body and in adding track mounting alongside standard, top jamb and parallel.
    21) Is the Deltana DC70 a substitute for a Sargent 281 on a commercial entrance?
    They are not the same class of product. The Sargent 281 is a Grade 1 heavy duty commercial closer with a one-piece cast iron body, ADA compliant in all applications except push-side track. The Deltana DC70 is a door closer in the DC70 series without those commercial ratings behind it. For a commercial entrance, stay with the Sargent 281 or a Grade 1 heavy duty peer such as the BEST HD8000 Series.
    22) What Grade 1 closer with adjustable spring sizing would replace a fixed-size Sargent 281 order?
    For adjustable spring sizing, the Calibre CA9901 is a Grade 1 tri-pack arm closer sized 2 through 5 and ADA rated, the Imperial USA TC4300 Series is a heavy duty Grade 1 size 1 through 6 ADA closer, and the Accentra 2701 Series is an architectural closer with tri-pack mounting and adjustable spring sizes 1 through 6. The Sargent 281 is likewise ADA compliant except in push-side track applications and is heavy duty Grade 1.
    23) What finish should I order on a Sargent 281 to match existing painted door hardware?
    Eight finishes on the 281: 10BE dark oxidized satin bronze, BSP black suede powder coat, WSP white suede powder coat, EAB sprayed brass enamel, EN sprayed aluminum enamel, EB sprayed bronze enamel matched to dark satin bronze, ED sprayed bronze enamel matched to dark statuary bronze, and EP sprayed bronze enamel matched to satin bronze. The E prefix finishes are the ones intended to blend with existing bronze and brass hardware on the opening; BSP and WSP are the powder coats for painted frames.
    24) Which arm do I use when there is not enough headroom above a door for a Sargent 281 closer?
    The OLC low ceiling arm is the one for that condition. It is made for openings where the ceiling or a soffit sits too close above the frame for a standard arm to swing clear. Mortise foot arms, O8 and H8 hold open, are the other special case; those are for frame conditions that need the shoe mortised in rather than surface applied.
    How fast can I get the Sargent 281 O EN delivered?
    Most orders ship the same day from our distribution partners, with quick delivery throughout the continental U.S. Need it urgently? Contact Us for expedited shipping options.
    Can I return it if it doesn’t work for me?
    Yes—ZenSupply offers a hassle-free return policy. If the product isn’t the right fit, reach out to our support team for a return authorization or setup a return by following our return instructions.
    Does the Sargent 281 O EN come with a warranty?
    Absolutely. The Sargent 281 O EN is backed by a manufacturer’s warranty. For full warranty terms, check the product documentation or Contact Us.
    How do I get technical support or installation help for the Sargent 281 O EN?
    You can call, text, or email our expert support team for fast answers. We’re here to help with product selection, installation tips, and troubleshooting. Contact Us
    Why buy the Sargent 281 O EN from ZenSupply?
    ZenSupply makes it easy to get the commercial door hardware you need—fast shipping, expert support, and rewards on every order. Our team is always ready to help you choose the right product for your project.
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