Hi Lee,
I've no solution for customers that padlock gates, but if just bolted (where you can't reach) a wooden broom handle with a hook screwed in works well. You can bend open the hook a bit and then reach over and unhook the gate from stepladders. You soon get the hang of it. I've been using this method since I started.
Cheers
Carl
garden hoe is better much stronger for them rusted locks