Paul,
I'm assuming that the limit switch will open when the animal moves away from the gate even if the motor is not running. By the looks of the spring on the limit switch, I believe that this is possible. If the timing starts when the limit switch is closed, then the timer can time out and start the motor again with the animal still in the way. At this point with the limit switch still closed, there is no way to stop the motor other than the on/off switch. This could cause the motor to trip out on its overload contact, if it has one, because it will be trying to move the gate against the cow. If the timing starts after the limit switch has opened, then the gate will have some more space to move. When the timer has timed out, the timing contact will open and the motor will start again because with the limit switches open and the timer contact open, the motor relay is denergized and the normally closed motor relay contact will start the motor.
Don
