Abstract: A method and apparatus for retrieving and placing tie plates is disclosed. The machine may place at least one railroad tie plate in a hopper assembly for storage and transfer of the at least one railroad tie plate, transfer the at least one railroad tie plate from the hopper assembly to a conveyor assembly, upright the at least one railroad tie plate, singulate the at least one railroad tie plate, orient the at least one railroad tie plate, and place the at least one railroad tie plate on a railroad tie.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for retrieving and placing tie plates is disclosed. The machine may place at least one railroad tie plate in a hopper assembly for storage and transfer of the at least one railroad tie plate, transfer the at least one railroad tie plate from the hopper assembly to a conveyor assembly, upright the at least one railroad tie plate, singulate the at least one railroad tie plate, orient the at least one railroad tie plate, and place the at least one railroad tie plate on a railroad tie.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for retrieving and placing tie plates is disclosed. The machine may place at least one railroad tie plate in a hopper assembly for storage and transfer of the at least one railroad tie plate, transfer the at least one railroad tie plate from the hopper assembly to a conveyor assembly, upright the at least one railroad tie plate, singulate the at least one railroad tie plate, orient the at least one railroad tie plate, and place the at least one railroad tie plate on a railroad tie.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for singulating and transferring railroad tie plates is disclosed. The singulating system includes a front chute configured to collect one or more articles, a singulating frame, a pickup assembly operably engaged with the singulating frame, a magnetic roller of the pickup assembly and a roller belt of the pickup assembly wrapped, at least in part, around the magnetic roller. The magnetic roller and the roller belt are configured to pick up the one or more articles from the front chute and transfer the one or more articles to a different location.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for retrieving and placing tie plates is disclosed. The machine may place at least one railroad tie plate in a hopper assembly for storage and transfer of the at least one railroad tie plate, transfer the at least one railroad tie plate from the hopper assembly to a conveyor assembly, upright the at least one railroad tie plate, singulate the at least one railroad tie plate, orient the at least one railroad tie plate, and place the at least one railroad tie plate on a railroad tie.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for retrieving and placing tie plates is disclosed. The machine may place at least one railroad tie plate in a hopper assembly for storage and transfer of the at least one railroad tie plate, transfer the at least one railroad tie plate from the hopper assembly to a conveyor assembly, upright the at least one railroad tie plate, singulate the at least one railroad tie plate, orient the at least one railroad tie plate, and place the at least one railroad tie plate on a railroad tie.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for retrieving and placing tie plates is disclosed. The machine may place at least one railroad tie plate in a hopper assembly for storage and transfer of the at least one railroad tie plate, transfer the at least one railroad tie plate from the hopper assembly to a conveyor assembly, upright the at least one railroad tie plate, singulate the at least one railroad tie plate, orient the at least one railroad tie plate, and place the at least one railroad tie plate on a railroad tie.

Abstract: A vehicle comprising a machine having wheels, a placing conveyor secured to the machine and having a distal end with a drop mechanism, a trigger operatively connected to a door in the drop mechanism, and wherein the drop mechanism door is opened over a railroad tie when the trigger contacts an edge of the railroad tie with the machine moving.

Abstract: A vehicle comprising a machine having wheels, a placing conveyor secured to the machine and having a distal end with a drop mechanism, a trigger operatively connected to a door in the drop mechanism, and wherein the drop mechanism door is opened over a railroad tie when the trigger contacts an edge of the railroad tie with the machine moving.

Abstract: A rail saw comprising a mounting boom having a pivotable arm and pivotably connected to a railroad machine with at least two pivotable axes, a saw frame rotatably connected to the pivotable arm with at least 180 degrees of rotation, a cutting frame pivotably connected to the saw frame, and a saw blade rotatably connected to the cutting frame.

Abstract: A railway vehicle recovers metallic objects like railroad spikes from a railway bed having a pair of rails. The vehicle includes wheels for riding on each rail and a carriage carrying a crawler for supporting the vehicle on the railway bed when one of the rails is removed. A pneumatic lift raises and lowers the carriage and crawler. A conveyor belt assembly for transporting the metallic objects to a hopper is supported entirely by an overhead support structure. A lateral translator moves the conveyor belt assembly from side to side. Various features are provided which allow a conveyor belt to be removed from one side of the conveyor belt assembly while maintaining continuity of the conveyor belt loop. A distinctive conveyor lift is provided for raising and lowering the conveyor belt assembly. A remote control is provided for controlling various operations of the vehicle.

Abstract: A railway vehicle recovers metallic objects like railroad spikes from a railway bed having a pair of rails. The vehicle includes wheels for riding on each rail and a carriage carrying a crawler for supporting the vehicle on the railway bed when one of the rails is removed. A pneumatic lift raises and lowers the carriage and crawler. A conveyor belt assembly for transporting the metallic objects to a hopper is supported entirely by an overhead support structure. A lateral translator moves the conveyor belt assembly from side to side. Various features are provided which allow a conveyor belt to be removed from one side of the conveyor belt assembly while maintaining continuity of the conveyor belt loop. A distinctive conveyor lift is provided for raising and lowering the conveyor belt assembly. A remote control is provided for controlling various operations of the vehicle.

Abstract: A machine which travels on railroad rails includes a conveyor belt which transports metallic objects from a railway bed into a hopper. The conveyor belt revolves around a pair of rollers mounted on the framework of a conveyor belt assembly. One roller magnetically picks up the metallic objects and a hydraulic motor powers the other roller to drive the conveyor belt. The magnetized roller is mounted via two mounting bearings which slidably engage the assembly. An adjustment bolt on the assembly engages the mounting bearing to move the magnetized roller to adjust conveyor belt tension to facilitate replacement of the belt. A lift beside the assembly raises and lowers one end of the assembly which rotates about a pivot tube within the conveyor belt. The lift, pivot tube and hydraulic lines connected to the motor are all situated to allow the belt to be removed without interference therefrom.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for feeding bulk metal objects from a hopper supported by a frame. The hopper includes side panels that taper downwardly to form an interior chamber therebetween with upper and lower openings. Doors are hingedly attached to the side panels adjacent the lower opening and are opened and closed by piston and cylinder combinations pivotally attached to the frame and pivotally attached to members extending downwardly from the doors. Arms extend from the doors into the interior chamber to facilitate the movement of the metal objects in the hopper toward the lower opening to feed through the doors. Vibrations created by various movements of the doors also help move the metal objects toward the lower opening.