Abstract: A gladhand device for automatically coupling the air brake hose of a railcar to a railcar mover is disclosed herein. The automated gladhand device may comprise a gladhand body that is attached to the end of a railcar mover and configured to receive the gladhand attached to an air brake hose of a railcar. In various embodiments, the gladhand device may comprise a piston housed within a lower portion of the gladhand body that is configured to extend vertically above a top edge of the lower portion of the gladhand body. When air pressure is allowed to enter the gladhand body via an electrically controlled solenoid, the piston presses against the gladhand of the air brake hose and pneumatically seals a coupling between the air brake hose of the railcar and the railcar mover.

Abstract: A claw system for mechanical coupling a railcar mover to a railcar is disclosed herein. The claw assembly may comprise a set of arms and a set of claws each mounted on the interior side of one of the set of arms. When a railcar adjacent to a railcar mover on a set of tracks is positioned within a proximity of the railcar mover, the claw assembly may be utilized to grasp the air hose of the adjacent railcar. For example, the set of arms may be attached to the railcar mover via a motorized rail upon which the set of arms may be configured to move axially toward each other in a direction perpendicular to the tracks, thereby causing the claws to move toward each other and close around the air hose of the adjacent railcar. The claws may include openings configured to grasp the air hose.

Abstract: An auxiliary drive axle assembly is disclosed for a railcar mover that provides traction for a railcar mover when required. The auxiliary drive axle assembly comprises a frame, a plurality of hydraulic motors, and a plurality of wheel assemblies positioned underneath a railcar mover. The auxiliary drive axle assembly may be lowered to a use position where the wheels engage the rails either upon demand by the railcar mover operator or automatically by a control system based upon a set of monitored parameters. When in a use position, the control system directs the power to the hydraulic motors such that the wheel assemblies can have optimal traction to assist the railcar mover.