Abstract: Concrete railroad crossties are mass-produced by slip-forming concrete using a specially adapted continuous casting machine to deposit concrete over a plurality of forms arranged side by side and end to end above an elongated casting bed. Each group of side-by-side casting forms is supported above the bed on a carriage longitudinally moveable on rollers, thereby permitting relative movement of adjacent end-to-end carriages to compensate for concrete contraction when pretensioned wire strands in the concrete are detensioned and for a slight recoil action when adjacent end-to-end crossties are separated by sawing. An apparatus for lifting side-by-side crossties in groups is equipped with hydraulic jacks for forcibly ejecting the concrete crossties from their forms.

Abstract: A system for mass producing prestressed concrete railroad ties using a slip-forming method of casting concrete over a plurality of molds arranged side by side and end to end on a casting bed; a specially equipped continuous casting machine for slip-forming the railroad ties in an upside-down orientation; techniques and equipment for separating and removing finished railroad ties from the casting bed; a plant layout to facilitate casting and handling operations; a specially adapted apparatus for rotating groups of railroad ties to permit stacking thereof in right-side-up orientation.

Abstract: A system for mass producing prestressed concrete railroad ties using a slip-forming method of casting concrete over a plurality of molds arranged side by side and end to end on a casting bed; a specially equipped continuous casting machine for slip-forming the railroad ties in an upside-down orientation; techniques an equipment for separating and removing finished railroad ties from the casting bed; a plant layout to facilitate casting and handling operations; a specially adapted apparatus for rotating groups of railroad ties to permit sticking thereof in rightside-up orientation.

Abstract: A soil working implement for use in forming a raised soil bed is disclosed. The implement includes a carriage assembly and a plowing tool mounted for rotation on the carriage assembly. The plowing tool includes a cylindrical rim and an array of soil digging teeth rigidly secured to the rim and projecting radially with respect thereto for moving soil laterally relative to the line of travel of the implement. Each tooth is characterized by an inclined face slanting away from the direction of rotation of the rim and converging to form a cutting edge which is canted at an oblique angle with respect to the line of travel.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for producing a concrete panel having a fractured rib finish is disclosed. A quantity of relatively low slump concrete mixture is cast upon a pallet in the form of a panel and is extruded to define projecting ribs and channels. The casting is permitted to harden until the concrete becomes rigid but not completely set. Thereafter an array of wedges secured to a carriage assembly is drawn along the length of the panel with each wedge disposed in shearing engagement with edge portions of an adjacent pair of ribs. Each wedge includes a shoulder portion wider than the channel for shearing and forcibly displacing portions of the ribs as the wedge is drawn through the channel. Means are provided for propelling the carriage assembly along the length of the panel and in a direction parallel to the orientation of the ribs. A concrete panel having a fractured rib finish produced by the method of the invention is similar in appearance to a concrete panel having a manually hammered rib finish.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for producing a concrete panel having a fractured rib finish is disclosed. A quantity of relatively low slump concrete mixture is cast upon a pallet in the form of a panel and is extruded to define projecting ribs and channels. The casting is permitted to harden until the concrete becomes rigid but not completely set. Thereafter an array of wedges secured to a carriage assembly is drawn along the length of the panel with each wedge disposed in shearing engagement with edge portions of an adjacent pair of ribs. Each wedge includes a shoulder portion wider than the channel for shearing and forcibly displacing portions of the ribs as the wedge is drawn through the channel. Means are provided for propelling the carriage assembly along the length of the panel and in a direction parallel to the orientation of the ribs. A concrete panel having a fractured rib finish produced by the method of the invention is similar in appearance to a concrete panel having a manually hammered rib finish.