Abstract: The invention relates to a tamping assembly for tamping sleepers of a track, including a tamping unit having oppositely positioned tamping tools mounted on a vertically adjustable tool carrier, the tamping tools being coupled in each case via a squeezing drive to a vibration drive, wherein each tamping tool comprises a pivot lever rotatable about a pivot axis and at least one tamping tool mount for accommodating at least one tamping tine. In this, a first squeezing drive is coupled directly to the vibration drive and articulatedly connected to a first pivot lever, and a second squeezing drive is coupled to the vibration drive via a separate coupling unit and articulatedly connected to a link, mounted on the tool carrier, as well as to a second pivot lever. In this manner, the tamping unit can be configured in a very compact way with squeezing drives being arranged one below the other, wherein forces and momentums occurring during operation can be easily controlled.

Abstract: The invention relates to a machine for stabilizing a track, including a machine frame supported on on-track undercarriages and a vertically adjustable stabilizing unit designed to roll on rails of the track by means of unit rollers, the stabilizing unit comprising a vibration exciter with rotating imbalance masses for generating an impact force (FS) acting dynamically in a track plane perpendicularly to a track longitudinal direction and a vertical drive for generating a vertical load acting on the track. In this, it is provided that the vibration exciter comprises at least two imbalance masses which are driven applying a variably adjustable phase shift (??1, ??2). The invention further relates to a method for operating such a machine.

Abstract: A rail maintenance vehicle includes a frame, a workhead, and a vibrating unit. The frame includes wheels that travel along rails. The vibrating unit is coupled to the workhead and includes a rotor, a stator, a first rotor coil coupled to the rotor and a first stator coil coupled to the stator.

Abstract: A protection element for an earth-working implement includes a flat plate having a wearing portion on a side of the flat plate facing a distal end of the earth-working implement. A lower portion of the flat plate forms an attachment portion provided with notches, projecting portions, or a combination thereof configured to engage with the earth-working implement. When the attachment portion is engaged with the earth-working implement, the protection element is configured to project above a plane coinciding with a top surface of at least a portion of the earth-working implement proximal to the protection element such that the portion of the earth-working implement proximal to the protection element is shielded from a flow of loose mass during use of the earth-working implement. The wearing portion is arranged at an upper portion of the flat plate. The attachment portion is arranged at a lower portion of the flat plate.

Abstract: A rail maintenance vehicle includes a frame, a workhead, and a vibrating unit. The frame includes wheels that travel along rails. The vibrating unit is coupled to the workhead and includes a rotor, a stator, a first rotor coil coupled to the rotor and a first stator coil coupled to the stator.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to an improved tamping operation where a rail tamping machine advances at different speeds during different stages of tamping and workhead assembly operation. The workhead assembly is also capable of moving longitudinally relative to the rail tamping machine frame when it is detected that the rail tamping machine is at an appropriate distance from a reference point. Related methods of tamping are also described.

Abstract: A rail maintenance vehicle includes a frame, a workhead, and a vibrating unit. The frame includes wheels that travel along rails. The vibrating unit is coupled to the workhead and includes a rotor, a stator, a first rotor coil coupled to the rotor and a first stator coil coupled to the stator.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a simulated loading method and an apparatus for moving load of a whole train in rail transportation. Multiple actuators are arranged above rail sleepers along rail direction. The rail is cut into separate rail segments, which are connected to rail sleepers via fastening systems. Based on a verified train-rail-subgrade theory model, the distribution of fastener force under the movement of a train bogie can be obtained. A simplified expression of this solution can be acquired by Gauss function fitting considering the train axle load, which is used as the input load of actuators. Each actuator performs the same dynamic excitation sequentially with a time interval along the train moving direction. Therefore, moving load of different vehicle types at different train speeds can be simulated. The present invention provides a reliable and convenient test method and an apparatus for research of developing infrastructures of rail transportation.

Abstract: A tamping tine (5) for a tamping machine consists of a tine shaft (8) and, positioned at the lower end thereof, a tine pad (9) having a pad bottom edge (10) spaced from the tine shaft (8). The tine pad (9) has pad side surfaces (11), spaced from one another in the direction of the pad bottom edge (10) and extending perpendicularly to the same, each of which connect a pad front side (12) to a pad rear side of the tine pad (9). Hardened metal plates (14) for increasing the abrasion resistance are fastened to the tine pad (9). The hardened metal plates (14) situated side by side along the pad bottom edge (10) form a common boundary line (15) both on the pad front side (12) as well as on the pad rear side. Armoring (17) in the shape of a build-up welding, standing out from a plane (16) of the pad front- or -rear side, is provided adjoining each boundary line (15).

Abstract: A tamper drive includes a wobble shaft rotatable about a central axis. The wobble shaft includes an eccentric hub recess within a movable bearing coupled to a yoke. The movable bearing rotates when the wobble shaft rotates to induce reciprocal movement of the yoke. In another tamper drive, an eccentric portion of a wobble shaft is rotatable within a bearing coupled to or integrated with an offset lobe having a pin slidingly disposed therein. Still another tamper drive includes an arm having a shaft fixedly coupled to one end, and first and second cam followers disposed at the other end. A rotatable cam provides a cam surface for each of the first and second cam followers.

Abstract: A tamping tine (5) for a tamping machine consists of a tine shaft (8) and, positioned at the lower end thereof, a tine pad (9) having a pad bottom edge (10) spaced from the tine shaft (8). The tine pad (9) has pad side surfaces (11), spaced from one another in the direction of the pad bottom edge (10) and extending perpendicularly to the same, each of which connect a pad front side (12) to a pad rear side of the tine pad (9). Hardened metal plates (14) for increasing the abrasion resistance are fastened to the tine pad (9). The hardened metal plates (14) situated side by side along the pad bottom edge (10) form a common boundary line (15) both on the pad front side (12) as well as on the pad rear side. Armouring (17) in the shape of a build-up welding, standing out from a plane (16) of the pad front- or -rear side, is provided adjoining each boundary line (15).

Abstract: The compression of ballast for a rail track takes place after two-stage cleaning by a cleaning machine. For this purpose, cleaned ballast is dispensed and a first ballast layer is thereby formed. The rail track which is laid on the first ballast layer has lateral oscillations imparted to it by a front stabilization unit, and the first ballast layer is thereby compressed. The formation of a second ballast layer takes place by a second chute, which second ballast layer is subsequently compressed by a rear stabilization unit.

Abstract: A rail vehicle having a single frame assembly and a movable platform coupled thereto is provided. The rail vehicle indexes, i.e. advances intermittently, along railroad rails. The movable platform advances in a single direction at a generally steady speed as the rail vehicle indexes along a railroad. The platform is the floor of, or a base for, a cabin preferably having a seat, roof support, and controls for the operator. The platform rides longitudinally with the machine on rollers or slides, thus separating the operator and controls from the rest of the machine. Thus, while the rail vehicle moves in an abrupt stop-and-go manner, the platform and the operator move generally consistently in a single direction.

Abstract: A tamping machine designed especially for tamping switch sections comprises two inner and two outer tamping units (13, 24). Each outer tamping unit (24) is designed to be pivotable about a pivot axis (26), extending in the longitudinal direction of the machine, relative to a guide block (25) connected for displacement to transverse guides (12) and to a transverse displacement drive (14), and is connected to a pivot drive (27). Thus, tamping tools (18) of the outer tamping unit (24) can be positioned at a maximum distance from a machine center (23) for extensive tamping of a branch rail.

Abstract: A vibrating device having a flywheel rotatably disposed within a housing assembly. The housing assembly includes one or more openings therethrough structured to allow an effective amount of air to pass between the housing assembly enclosed space and the atmosphere. By exchanging an effective amount of air between the enclosed space and the atmosphere, the temperature within the housing assembly remains below the breakdown point of a lubricant used to reduce friction created when the flywheel is in use.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a tamping tool comprising a shank and a blade, with the blade having various arrangements of wear-resistant material affixed to the face of the blade by means of brazing, soldering, gluing or other method. Additionally, some arrangements of the tamping tool have a wear-resistant tip inserted into a groove in the end of the blade. The tamping tool of the present invention reduces wear, providing an increased life and increasing the time intervals at which it becomes necessary to replace the tamping tool.

Abstract: A tamping unit (5) for simultaneously tamping three sleepers (6) of a track (3) comprises inner, central and outer tamping tools (12, 13). The pivot axis (17) of the inner tamping tool (12) is positioned lower, with respect to the pivot axis (17) of the central tamping tool (13), by a vertically extending distance (a). The longitudinal axes (18) of the two tamping tines (19) are positioned, with regard to the two pivot axes (17) of the inner and central tamping tool (12, 13), off-center and closer to the pivot axis (17) of the inner tamping tool (12). With this, it is possible to also tamp without problems sleepers having a small sleeper crib width.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for introducing a flowable and foamable reaction mixture from the top into a ballast body having sleepers embedded therein, in which method said mixture is introduced into the ballast body laterally of the sleepers, notably preferably depending on the height of the ballast body at the point of application, and in a quantity that is all the larger the more upwards in the ballast body the application point is situated, wherein the mixture is adjusted in such a way that the foam formation process will begin only when the front of the mixture flowing downwards inside the ballast body has reached the bottom side or the region in the vicinity thereof of the ballast body so that the foam formation is carried out within the ballast body from the bottom towards the top.

Abstract: Hardened metal inserts are inserted in a tine plate of a tamping tine for tamping ballast of a railroad track. The cylindrical inserts have a boundary surface bordering on a side surface of the tine plate, thus forming a part thereof. Owing to that configuration, the abrasion resistance of the side surfaces can be improved.

Abstract: A non-contact, air-activated lifting and tamping device which incorporates a means of producing a Bernouilli airflow at the device nozzle, creating an adjacent low air pressure region for inducing lift; and which includes provision for high velocity air jets for tamping operation. The device is compact, never clogs or ices and is easily adjustable for a wide range of applications.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a tamping tool comprising a shank and a blade, with the blade having various arrangements of wear-resistant material affixed to the face of the blade by means of brazing, soldering, gluing or other method. Additionally, some arrangements of the tamping tool have a wear-resistant tip inserted into a groove in the end of the blade. The tamping tool of the present invention reduces wear, providing an increased life and increasing the time intervals at which it becomes necessary to replace the tamping tool.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a tamping tool comprising a shank and a blade, with the blade having various arrangements of wear-resistant material affixed to the face of the blade by means of brazing, soldering, gluing or other method. Additionally, some arrangements of the tamping tool have a wear-resistant tip inserted into a groove in the end of the blade. The tamping tool of the present invention reduces wear, providing an increased life and increasing the time intervals at which it becomes necessary to replace the tamping tool.

Abstract: A tamping device and method of compacting ballast beneath the intersection of a railroad track's tie and rail utilize a pair of tamping units, each of which terminates in a tool blade. When a pair of tamping unit's first and second tool blades are in ballast on either side of the track's tie along one side of the rail, the first and second tool blades are moved in respective counter rotational first and second orbital paths such that forces generated in the ballast by the blades cooperate to compact the ballast beneath the intersection of the tie and the rail.

Abstract: A tamping tine for tamping ballast underneath a railroad track has a tine shank and a tine pad attached to the shank. For increasing its abrasion resistance, the tine pad is formed with a pad casing of wear-resistant material. The pad casing is formed with an opening and it is filled with core material. The core material is suitable for welding to the tine shank and it is attached thereto by way of a welding seam.

Abstract: A tamping tine has a flat inclined tine surface that encloses an acute angle with a front surface of a tine plate at the lower end of a shank. The inclined tine surface is delimited, with regard to a longitudinal direction of the tamping tine, by a bottom edge of the tine plate and by a shank section line defined by an intersection of the inclined tine surface with the entire rear portion of the shank. A reference line on the inclined tine surface is distanced farther from an upper end point—positioned at the maximum distance from the bottom edge of the tine plate—of the inclined tine surface than from a shank end line. This ensures an easier penetration by the tamping tine into the ballast and it provides for an improved attachment of hardened metal plates for providing abrasion resistance.

Abstract: A machine is configured for tamping a track composed of rails that are fastened to ties resting on ballast. The rails extend in a longitudinal direction and have a field side and a gauge side, respectively, and the ballast forms tie supports located on the field side and the gauge side. The machine has a centerline extending in the longitudinal direction and comprises tamping units mounted opposite one another transversely of the longitudinal direction, each tamping unit having four tamping tine pairs composed of tamping tines and squeeze drives. The tamping tine pairs are arranged one following the other in the longitudinal direction and positioned, alternating in the longitudinal direction, at a shorter distance from the centerline for tamping tie supports located on the gauge side of the rails, and at a longer distance from the centerline for tamping tie supports located at the field side of the rails.

Abstract: A machine is configured for tamping a track composed of rails that are fastened to ties resting on ballast. The rails extend in a longitudinal direction and have a field side and a gauge side, respectively, and the ballast forms tie supports located on the field side and the gauge side. The machine has a centerline extending in the longitudinal direction and comprises tamping units mounted opposite one another transversely of the longitudinal direction, each tamping unit having four tamping tine pairs composed of tamping tines and squeeze drives. The tamping tine pairs are arranged one following the other in the longitudinal direction and positioned, alternating in the longitudinal direction, at a shorter distance from the centerline for tamping tie supports located on the gauge side of the rails, and at a longer distance from the centerline for tamping tie supports located at the field side of the rails.

Abstract: A tamping tine for tamping ballast underneath a railroad track has a tine shank and a tine pad attached to the shank. For increasing its abrasion resistance, the tine pad is formed with a pad casing of wear-resistant material. The pad casing is formed with an opening and it is filled with core material. The core material is suitable for welding to the tine shank and it is attached thereto by way of a welding seam.

Abstract: A tamping machine for tamping ballast underneath ties of a railroad track includes a machine frame extending in a longitudinal direction and supported for mobility on the track by two undercarriages. A subframe is arranged between the undercarriages and is mobile on the track by means of a further, separate undercarriage. A frame support is provided for connecting the subframe to the machine frame in a manner allowing displacement of the subframe in the longitudinal direction. The frame support is mounted on the machine frame and displaceable relative thereto perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction. A transverse drive is connected to the frame support and linked to the machine frame. A vertically adjustable tamping unit and a track lifting unit are arranged on the subframe between the further undercarriage and the frame support.

Abstract: Adaptation to varying distances between successive ties is facilitated with a ballast tamping unit for tamping ballast under successive ties of a railroad track, which comprises a frame extending in a longitudinal direction, and tamping tool arms mounted on the frame for pivoting about an axis extending perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction, the tamping tool arms having at least one recess at a lower end thereof for receiving and affixing a tamping pick arranged to be immersed in the ballast between two adjacent ties, and at least one of the tamping tool arms having two such recesses arranged successively in the longitudinal direction for selectively receiving and affixing the tamping pick. A reciprocating drive is connected to an upper end of each tamping tool arm for pivoting the tamping tool arm about the axis in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A conversion device that is structured to be coupled to the rotating axle of a motor and to an output assembly. The output assembly has an elongated shaft with an axis extending generally perpendicular to the axis of the motor axle. The output assembly further is coupled to a frame to resist movement in an axial direction. The conversion device includes an eccentric hub having a disk with a sidewall extending from the perimeter thereby forming a recess and a yoke having a shaft and an attachment pin. The disk is coupled to the motor axle. The yoke shaft is disposed within the eccentric hub recess and the attachment pin is pivotally coupled to the output assembly. As the eccentric hub is rotated by the motor, the hub causes the yoke moves in a circular path. The circular path of the yoke has directional components that are parallel to the axis of the output assembly shaft and perpendicular to the axis of the output assembly shaft.

Abstract: A ballast tamping tool assembly comprises two tamping tool carriers arranged successively in a longitudinal direction, a pair of tamping picks mounted on each tamping tool carrier, one of the tamping picks of each pair being arranged at a respective end of the assembly in the longitudinal direction for immersion in a respective one of the cribs, another one of the tamping picks of each pair being one of twin tamping picks, the twin tamping picks being arranged for immersion in cribs adjacent the respective cribs for tamping ballast underneath two adjacent ties, and a third tamping tool carrier arranged between the two successively arranged tamping tool carriers, further twin tamping picks mounted on the third tamping tool carrier, the further twin tamping picks being arranged for immersion in a center crib.

Abstract: A split tool tamper having a motor, a frame, a single tool shaft, and a tamping tool. The motor is coupled to the frame and the tool shaft is coupled to the motor. The tool shaft is further coupled to a single tamping tool.

Abstract: A mobile tamping machine for tamping ballast under a main track comprises a machine frame supported on undercarriages running on the main track for moving the machine frame in an operating direction, the main track defining a track plane, a ballast tamping unit mounted on the machine frame between the undercarriages, a main track lifting and lining unit vertically and transversely adjustably mounted on the machine frame immediately ahead of the ballast tamping unit in the operating direction, a drive for vertically and transversely adjusting the main track lifting and lining unit, an auxiliary lifting unit mounted on the machine frame for lifting a branch track branching off the main track at a track switch, and a common measuring system for controlling lifting of the track switch, the common measuring system including an emitter of a light beam forming a reference line extending parallel to the track plane, the light beam emitter being positioned at a fixed distance from the main track, and a receiver of the

Abstract: The ballast tamper comprises two tool holders articulated to a chassis and equipped with tools set in vibration and fitting one on each side of a single or double cross tie of the track. The tops of the tool holders are connected by a hydraulic gripper ram. The supply of hydraulic fluid to the ram, for at least one of its directions of travel, is provided by an external hydraulic assembly which comprises means for metering an amount of fluid let into the ram or discharged therefrom so as to cause the rod of this ram to selectively describe a limited gripper opening stroke, in the case of a single cross tie, or a full stroke, in the case of a double cross tie. A particularly quiet “hydraulic stop” effect is thus achieved.

Abstract: A method of correcting the position of a railroad track composed of laterally adjacent track sections connected by branch tracks comprises the steps of measuring the position of each individual track section relative to an absolute reference system common to both track sections and registering high points, thereby forming actual position curves, while parallel thereto actual versines of the track position are detected by means of a further, machine-specific reference system. A target position curve is then generated which is common to the measured track sections and composed of the registered high points of the individual measured track sections and design sections, located between said high points, which smoothen the trace of the actual position curves. Track correction values are determined by obtaining the difference between the actual position curve of a respective track section and the common target position curve.

Abstract: An assembly for tamping ballast supporting a track having two rails fastened to ties comprises a vertically adjustable tamping tool carrier and a pair of tamping tools mounted on the carrier for reciprocation towards and away from one another in the longitudinal direction of the track, each of the tamping tools being pivotal about a swivel axis extending in the direction of elongation of the ties and including at least one tamping pick arranged at the lower end of the tamping tool and intended for immersion in the ballast upon vertical adjustment of the tamping tool carrier, the tamping pick being mounted on the tamping tool for pivoting about a pivot axis extending perpendicularly to the swivel axis.

Abstract: A tamping assembly uses a split tool mechanical vibrator having corresponding front and back vibrator units powered by a single motor. A tamping tool provides easy connection to a tamping tool holder in such a way that two tamping tools may be mounted to one tool holder using a single bolt and wherein the tool holder has a channel in which a projection of the tamping tool is secured by a taper lock.

Abstract: A tamping assembly uses a split tool mechanical vibrator having corresponding front and back vibrator units powered by a single motor. A tamping tool provides easy connection to a tamping tool holder in such a way that two tamping tools may be mounted to one tool holder using a single bolt and wherein the tool holder has a channel in which a projection of the tamping tool is secured by a taper lock.

Abstract: A method of continuously measuring the resistance of a track to transverse displacement comprises the steps of continuously advancing a dynamic stabilizer along the track, applying a power to the dynamic stabilizer to impart oscillations to the track extending transversely to the track in a horizontal plane, and recording a datum corresponding to the applied power as a correlated measurement value of the transverse track displacement resistance (QVW).

Abstract: A tamping tool comprising a shank having at its lower end a paddle of hardened steel construction, such paddle having a front face, and one or more bits of abrasion resistant material secured to the front, exposed face of the paddle and terminating at its or their lower end or ends in a ledge which underlies the lower end of the paddle. Exposed faces of the paddle and adjacent parts of the shank are covered by abrasion resistant material.

Abstract: There is provided a new and useful tamping tool for a railway ballast tamping machine comprising: a shank comprising a shaft, means for fastening the shaft to a tamping machine, and, integral with the shaft, a foot including a first surface; a deformable stress equalizing pad; and a tamping pad adapted to be removably secured to the foot, the tamping pad having a cavity adapted to receive the foot therein, the cavity having a surface corresponding to the first surface of the foot and having at least one other surface corresponding to a second surface of the foot, the relative dimensions of the foot and the cavity being such that when the foot is inserted into the cavity with the equalizing pad between the first surface and the surface corresponding thereto, the at least one other surface is jammed against the second surface, and the equalizing pad is deformed in compression to a thickness which is less than its original thickness.

Abstract: A ballast tamping tool for attachment to a reciprocating tamping drive of a ballast tamping machine comprises a shaft having an upper end affixed to the tamping drive and a tamping blade detachably mounted on a lower end of the shaft. A plug-in, form-fitting connection detachably connects the tamping blade to a lower end of the shaft, the detachable connection defining a recess behind the rear surface of the tamping blade and comprising a plug projecting from the lower shaft end and being offset therefrom by a step to form a shoulder, the upper tamping blade edge extending at least partially along, and axially adjacent, the shoulder, and a connecting part at the rear tamping blade surface form-fittingly connecting the tamping blade to the plug.

Abstract: A mobile switch leveling, lining and tamping machine comprises a vertically and laterally adjustable leveling and lining tool carrier frame linked to the machine frame, a pair of flanged wheels supporting the carrier frame on a main track for mobility therealong, each flanged wheel engaging a respective rail and serving as a track lining tool, a respective power-operated, vertically and transversely adjustable track lifting tool mounted on the carrier frame for gripping each rail at one side thereof, a leveling and lining reference system including a main track position sensing device, the leveling and lining reference system controlling actuation of the track lifting and lining drives in response to the main track position sensed by the device, a vertically adjustable auxiliary device mounted on the machine frame for lifting a laterally adjacent track section, a power-actuated drive for laterally displacing the auxiliary device, and a measuring carriage associated with the machine and running on the laterall

Abstract: A tamping pad includes cutout along the length of the leading edge thereof to support at least one wear-resistant insert rigidly positioned therein. The wear-resistant insert comprises a body having a first side and a second opposed side, first and second opposed major surfaces and first and second opposed shoulders. The first side of the insert body defines a tamping blade leading edge which is arcuate in shape between the opposed shoulders. The arcuate leading edge of the insert body has a radius which defines the length of the arcuate edge to be of a ratio of about 1.3 relative to the width of the carbide insert. Preferably, the plurality of inserts extends end to end along the length of the leading edge of the blade to define the interrupted leading edge of the tamping pad as formed by the curvilinear leading edge of each of the plurality of inserts.

Abstract: An improved tool for railway track adjustment machines is disclosed which may be made by processes forging, casting, and which includes a shaft and a blade manufactured as separate entities and force-fitted together. In making the tool the lower end of the shaft is formed so that it is able to be forced between flanges located on the rear side of the blade. This lower end preferably has a transverse cross section shaped as a trapezoid with an apex angle .gamma. and is upwardly and outwardly tapered at an angle .alpha.. The flanges located on the rear side of the blade are manufactured from the same piece of material as the blade and define a slot which opens upwardly and outwardly at an angle to the direction of the longitudinal axis of the tool and the symmetrical plane of the blade. A method the slot defined between the flanges has a transverse cross section which tapers inwardly at an angle .delta. and may be formed by deforming the blade.

Abstract: Tamping tools for mounting in a ballast tamping apparatus such as the rail-mounted Canron, Plasser and Jackson ballast tamping machines designed for tamping ballast around railroad cross ties, which tamping tools each include a shaft adapted for mounting on a reciprocating mechanism in a respective ballast tamping machine, a shaped shank extending from the shaft, a weld ring or nut seated on the shank and welded to the shaft and a tool foot having a receptacle internally configured to receive the shaped shank, with the tool foot welded to the weld ring or nut for easy replacement. A blade is provided at the extending end of the tool foot in offset relationship for contacting and tamping the ballast and in a first embodiment the blade is formed integrally with the foot, while in a second embodiment the blade is bolted to the tool foot.

Abstract: A tamper has tamping tools intended for tamping the open track and the switch gear. Each tool is mounted on an oscillating and pivoting lever (6) and has a fixed pick (20) and a pick (21) displaceable by pivoting in a plane transverse to the track around a shaft (23) which is rigidly connected to the lever (6) and by means of a cylinder (26). The tappets (22) of these picks are offset and partially cover one another in the close-together position and the picks are arched towards the outside so as to leave sufficient space between them for the flow of the ballast above the tappets. The switch gear is tamped in close-together position of the tappets over a reduced length (R) and the open track is tamped in spaced position over a greater length, the stroke of the cylinder (26) limiting and defining these two positions.

Abstract: A tamping head for a mobile track working machine comprises a tamping tool carrier vertically adjustably mounted on the machine, a vibratory tamping tool mounted on the carrier for immersion in a crib for pivoting towards and away from an adjacent tie in a reciprocating stroke between two end positions, a hydraulic drive for pivoting the tamping tool, the hydraulic pivoting drive including a cylinder element and a piston element, a reciprocating stroke limiting stop cooperating with the hydraulic pivoting drive for selectively adjusting a respective one of the end positions, and a hydraulic actuator for setting the stop for the selective adjustment of a respective end position, the hydraulic actuator including a cylinder element and piston element, one of the elements being movable in relation to the other element and the axes of the hydraulic pivoting drive and of the hydraulic actuator being parallel to each other, the hydraulic actuator being mounted on the hydraulic drive and the stop being constituted by

Abstract: There is described a vibrating railroad ballast tamping tool head which provides ease of replacement of tamping tools, in the field. The head according to a preferred embodiment has a tamping tool holder mounted centrally on the end of a tool drive shaft, a pair of spaced tamping tool-shank receiving sockets being provided in the holder one on either side of the drive shaft and open to the underside of the holder. A pair of tamping tools each having a lower ballast engaging working face and an upper shank are located by means of tapered bores and key ways within each of the sockets and a tamping tool retaining yoke engages the shanks of both tamping tools underneath the tool holder and locks the tools to the holder by means of a centrally disposed bolt which is received in a blind bolt hole in the holder and draws up to force the tools into the sockets and to lock them therein.