Abstract: A gate lifter for shifting a gate from a valve seat in a gate valve. The gate lifter is provided on the downstream, or low pressure side of a valve, and is a tubular structure that surrounds and is slidable relative to a tubular valve seat. Hydraulic or other pressurized fluid is adapted to be introduced between an end of the lifter and a flange carried by the valve seat to cause the parts to move in opposite directions, as a result of which the lifter operates by shifting the gate member away from the valve seat to avoid damage to the valve seat as the gate member is moved there across. The gate lifter includes a face that is adapted to engage with a corresponding face of the gate member, the gate lifter face preferably including a low friction coating, such as teflon, gearings or gearing type material.