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Nov 21, 2018 - Why Weight Transfer is More Important Than You Realize When Transporting Railcars!

Your job as a railcar operator can be fraught with challenges. When you’re attempting to move and position a railcar - whether it’s partially or fully loaded or even if it’s empty - you’ll know that it is often difficult to ensure that maximum weights are assigned to each one so that their operability isn’t affected. In such cases, there is always plenty of room for human error given the guesswork involved. Max-Tran systems in Alberta offer the ideal solution to these track-related shortcomings. It combines innovation and intuition to reduce operator stress during the work cycle.

Trackmobile - Superior Products and a Commitment to Quality

Founded in 1947, Trackmobile is a leading manufacturer of bi-modal railcar movers. With over 10,000 units being used in over 54 countries, the company has long since established its roots in integrity, quality and a commitment to providing only the most superior products.

Trackmobile has built a formidable reputation through its outstanding machinery. Over its 65-year trajectory, the company has cultivated a forward-thinking and innovative attitude to engineering advanced equipment - built to last - to make your job that much easier. Products that truly perform as promised - that has been the company’s long-standing mantra to cornering the North American market.

How Does Weight Transfer Occur in a Trackmobile Railcar Mover?

For most railcar mover brands, two technologies are utilized: weight transfer and non-weight transfer. Trackmobile inclines towards the former. As early as 1940, steel wheel railcar movers employed the weight transfer system - the inner workings of which are quite magnificent.

These top-of-the-line machines are coupled to a railcar. Once the railcar is hoisted by its coupler, weight transfer occurs as the weight then shifts from the railcar to the mover. This creates immense tractive power.

The Trackmobile Weight Transfer System is a state-of-the-art hydraulic application that combines user-friendliness and intuition to give you the best-combined output.

When the mover is coupled, you must check whether or not the coupling is secure. As stated, the coupler can then be hoisted and the weight is then transferred to the mover. To achieve the correct levels of transfer and subsequently the maximum tractive effort, the operator uses fingertip controls to egg the machine on. When single coupled, the mover holds 49,500 pounds and when double coupled it holds 99,000 pounds.

Why is Weight Transfer Essential?

When the load on each railcar is lessened, you are able to achieve better traction and fuel-efficiency. Besides increasing traction, the machine is designed to lower fuel consumption and the need for constant track maintenance.

During those times in the work cycle where the railcar mover itself has to be transported, the Trackmobile moves its own weight and avoids wear-and-tear on the tracks and the road bend.

Over and above those benefits, weight transfer is greatly beneficial when flexibility is needed in areas that have tighter spacing. In such cases, a switching engine or any other bulky piece of machinery won’t have the right clearance.

Another major benefit is that weight transfer lends the Trackmobiles a shorter wheelbase, meaning they can manoeuvre curves with immense ease. Overall, you will be saving a great deal in repair, maintenance, fuel, and capital costs.

Why is a RailCar Mover Recommended as Opposed to a Switcher Locomotive?

Prior to intuitive railcar movers like those offered by Trackmobile, large and inconvenient locomotives were utilized to get each railcar into position. These locomotives did the job that they were intended to do, however, they came with several drawbacks that made the operator’s job quite tedious.

For starters, locomotives of this nature are expensive as compared to more intuitive machines. Capital costs aside, they are racking up quite a bundle in repair and maintenance overheads. Being less intuitive and requiring more manual direction, they also make the operator’s work twice as hard.

When you take into consideration crew costs, fuel costs and the maintenance overheads, railcar movers come at a fraction of that and operate twice as well.

A Great Innovation and an Even Greater Investment!

Don’t let your operations be held back by shoddy machinery and avoidable errors. Invest in Trackmobile products for a phenomenal performance. Call Gordon Russell at (604) 940-1627 for a quote.