Abstract: A guardrail extruder terminal includes a rail feeder chute associated with a downstream end of the guardrail extruder terminal. The terminal also includes an impact portion associated with an upstream end thereof. The impact portion is coupled to the upstream end of the rail feeder chute and includes an impact plate positioned to face oncoming traffic, a first side member coupled to the impact plate and positioned on a roadway side of the guardrail extruder terminal, and a second side member coupled to the impact plate and positioned opposite the first side member. The impact portion may include a top plate and a bottom plate, each being coupled between the first and second side members. The top and bottom plates each have a traffic side edge positioned to face a roadway that is approximately flush with a traffic side of the rail feeder chute.

Abstract: A head assembly for a guardrail extruder terminal device. A head assembly is described that is lighter and more effective than prior art head assemblies. The head assembly provides a throat that receives a corrugated guardrail. The rail is flattened by a narrowing of the throat or through combined action of the throat and a curved deflector plate. A curved plate contacts the flattened rail and extrudes it away from the head assembly. The throat is constructed from a pair of side members. The first side member is an elongated plate while the second side member is a short plate. The impact plate of the head assembly is vertically elongated and presents upper and lower overhangs that assist with vehicle engagement. In addition, the impact plate is provided with flanges on either side to help stiffen the plate. The head is also asymmetrical and streamlined. When the impact head is mounted on a rail member, the central point of impact is off-center with respect to the axis of the head.