Choosing an ABH Overhead Stop: Concealed or Surface Mount, Medium to Extra Heavy Duty, and the A, RA, SA, SL and N Versions

You are replacing an ABH overhead stop listed as 1023SL or N4424RA, or choosing one for a new door, and the numbers run from 1000 to 9000 with letters at both ends. Pick the mounting and duty first, then read the letters.

Concealed or surface mount, then the duty

ABH's current price list sorts its overhead holders and stops by mounting and duty, and its headings say whether a series takes double acting doors.

For the 1000RA and 4000RA the documents disagree: the price list says single or double acting doors, the current cut sheets say single acting doors only. Confirm with ABH before using either on a double acting door.

The cut sheets describe the 3300A for interior use on moderate traffic, medium weight doors, and the 7000, HD7000, 8000 and 9000 for interior or exterior use on frequent traffic, heavy weight doors. Every series in the table, which leaves out the handed 3500, is non-handed according to its cut sheet.

Hold open, stop or friction, and the size digit

In these series the third digit gives the function: 1 for hold open, 2 for stop and 3 for friction, as in 4414, 4424 and 4434. The last digit is the size, and each series has its own size table based on the frame opening. Our ABH overhead stop template guide reads the 1000, 4000 and 9000 numbers digit by digit.

The 7000, HD7000, 8000, 1000SL, 1000SA and 9000RA tables list hold open and stop models only. The cut sheets set the standard installation at 85 to 110 degrees of opening in 5 degree steps (90 to 100 for the 3400).

What the letters mean: N, A, RA, SL, SA and HD

• N at the front (N4424RA, NHD7020): all stainless steel components, per the cut sheets, which list stainless steel as the base material of standard models too.
• A (1000A, 3300A, 9000A): field adjustable; on the 1000A and 9000A, ABH says the opening degree can be adjusted after installation.
• RA (1000RA, 4000RA, 4400RA, 9000RA): an internal channel slide lets you set the degree of opening in the field, according to ABH.
• SL (1000SL): a slim line channel that ABH designed for aluminum storefront doors, single or double acting.
• SA (1000SA): slim line and adjustable, also for aluminum storefront doors, single acting only.
• HD (HD7000): extra heavy duty, surface mount, for frame openings from 24 to 54 inches on butt hinges or offset pivots.

The 3400 solves a different problem. It mounts on the side jamb, for doors that do not extend to the frame header, and ABH names dressing room and washroom stall doors with frames as the typical use. Its table has one size, for 24 to 36 inch openings.

So 1023SL is a 1000SL slim line stop in size 3: 36 to 39-15/16 inch openings on butt hinges or offset pivots. N4424RA is the stainless steel 4400RA, stop, size 4. And 3333A is the adjustable 3300A surface unit with friction, size 3, for 36 to 42 inch openings.

Door thickness and the widest opening

The concealed 1000 family needs a door at least 1-3/4 inches thick, the 4000 at least 1-3/8 inches. Surface units come with sex bolts for a set door thickness: 1-3/4 to 1-7/8 inches for the 3300A, 3400 and 4400, up to 2 inches for the 7000 and HD7000, and up to 2-1/4 inches for the 4400RA, 8000, 9000, 9000A and 9000RA. Any other thickness is the THICK option.

For width, the largest frame opening listed (butt hinges or offset pivots) is 36 inches for the 3400, 42 for the 3300A, 48 for the 4000 and 4400, 52 for the 1000, and 54 for the 7000, HD7000, 8000 and 9000.

Option codes and add-on parts

• CL: for cam lift hinges, 1/2 inch lift maximum, listed for surface series such as the 4400, 7000 and 9000
• HC: hold closed, for stop models only (the list names the 4020, 1020, 4420 and 9020)
• LL: lead lined
• LS: less spring, stop function only
• SEC: security fasteners
• T: threaded pivot screw and nylon washer in place of the standard jamb bracket

Add-on parts carry their own numbers: angle jamb brackets 44443 (3300A and 4400), 70377 (7000) and 90541 (8000, 9000 and 9000A), conversion kits such as the 4000F-KIT (friction) and 9000HO-KIT (hold open), reinforcements R4401 and R90541, fillers 4000JF and 9000JF, and 8003-10 stop pins for the 8000.

An ABH stop on a door that also has a closer

ABH publishes a chart that pairs its overhead holders with door closers (PDF) and answers Yes or No for Corbin Russwin, Dorma, LCN, Norton and Yale, Sargent and Stanley closers. Every chart page states the same basis: 36 inch doors, 90 degree opening, butt hinges. For other doors, ask ABH. One column is printed as 8000 and HD8000; none is named HD7000.

Take the LCN rows. A 4040 with a regular arm is marked No for the 1000 and 1000SL columns and Yes for the rest, with notes on the 7000. A 4040P parallel arm reads the other way round: Yes for the three concealed columns, No for every surface column. The chart explains that in some parallel arm installations the holder bracket would interfere with the parallel arm bracket. With the 62A shoe added, the 4040P gets a Yes for the 4400, 7000, 9000 and 9000A (three with a footnote) but not the 8000.

Where the holder's sex bolts clash with the closer or its back plate, the chart points to ABH template T-CC on its last page. Our door closer types guide shows regular arm, top jamb and parallel arm mounting, and our LCN closer guide covers the LCN arms.

Where to find the drawings

Each series has a cut sheet and a template in the Cut Sheets and Templates sections of ABH's resources page, some with pull side, cam lift or hold closed versions. ABH overhead stops in our store are on the ABH Manufacturing brand page and in the overhead stops and holders category.

Have the ABH number, the frame opening, the door thickness and the closer model at hand when you contact us. Our customer support team is available Monday - Friday, 8 AM - 4 PM Central Time, at 1-888-800-7789 or [email protected].