Stress Free Stressing

Torrent Trackside’s Carl Abraitis explains how the new lightweight, emission free Enerpac RP70A will revolutionise rail stressing

Extreme temperatures can make rail track buckle and crack. To help prevent this the rail is stressed before it is installed. This involves stretching the rail using heat or hydraulic tensors to a predetermined tension.

Any maintenance or repair of the rail needs to consider this latent tension and a considerable force is needed to stretch or pull the rail into place or to keep it static while welding is undertaken. To achieve this, specialist stressing equipment is required. Because many tons of force is needed the equipment used to be very heavy and would be powered by a petrol fuelled pump. This can cause transport problems and prove exhaustive for operators when manoeuvring kit that weighs anything up to 300kg into position. The power source was noisy and a damaging source of pollution.

This will now change with the introduction of the Network Rail approved Enerpac RP70A. A lightweight and durable stressing system powered by an emission free battery pump. The components are up to three times lighter than similar kits and each one features carrying handles and is ergonomically designed to be a genuine one or two man lift. This means the kit can be easily carried to site and assembled in a matter of minutes without tiring the operators. There is no need to remove any ballast from under the system.

To assemble the kit swing arms are attached to a clamp that then locks in place onto the rail. Hydraulic cylinders and extension strips (if required) are then attached between the two clamps. The system is then connected to the battery pump via hoses using quick connect couplers that require no tools and have safety locks. Stressing commences at the press of a button and the rail is pushed or pulled to the required position. The hydraulic cylinder rods can exert a force of up to 70 tons and are protected from damage and weld splatter by lightweight steel sleeves. The clamps then hold the rail in place without the need for any additional force.

The pump is equipped with a quiet and reliable Briggs and Stratton motor, fitted with an 82 volt battery which powers the pump for up to six pulls. For safety, the whole system can be isolated with a detachable key. A kit is supplied with two batteries and each battery can be charged using the supplied charger in around 60 minutes. The batteries are fitted with illuminated charge level indicators. The pump unit is over 30 per cent lighter than existing petrol powered units and is an easy two man lift. Unlike petrol powered pumps there is no troublesome pull cord, the need to carry extra fuel or the problems of mixing errors and contamination.

Carl Abraitis stated: ‘The Enerpac stressing system solves many of the power and weight issues associated with traditional stressing kits and also addresses the problems of noise and emission pollution. Torrent Trackside has invested in a considerable number of units and is now hiring these ground breaking systems out to rail projects across the UK.’

Carl Abraitis is Operations Directions at Torrent Trackside, get in touch via the contact information below.

Tel: 0845 697 168

Email: carl.abraitis@vpplc.com

Visit: www.torrent.co.uk

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