In the demanding environment of railway maintenance, overall productivity often hinges on specific design and operational details.
Equipment that thoughtfully addresses the nuances of track work can unlock significant efficiencies. The Gradall TrackStar line exemplifies how focusing on such details – from on-site mobility to the precision of its tools – can translate into substantial gains in railway maintenance productivity.
A critical detail impacting productivity is the machine’s ability to get to and from work sites swiftly and adapt to varying terrains. Gradall machines offer a unique combination of mobility, capable of traveling both on rails and on pavement. Certain models boast highway-speed undercarriages, reaching up to 60mph (96km/h), enabling rapid response to emergencies or efficient travel to routine job sites.
For work at crossings, rubber tire on-off pavement carriers not only prevent damage to paved surfaces but also provide exceptional stability, often without needing outriggers. Further enhancing this mobility, the new Rapid Drive option allows for on-rail travel speeds up to 30mph (48km/h) in both forward and reverse. This feature, combined with the ability to tow a railcar carrying materials like replacement ties or riprap, means one operator and one machine can accomplish more, streamlining logistics and labour.
The heart of these machines’ versatility and precision lies in the detailed design of the Gradall boom. Its renowned full-tilting, telescoping, triangular construction provides exceptional strength and the ability to precisely position materials. The entire boom tilts a full 220 degrees, a crucial detail that ensures no loss of power, which can be typical with boom-end tilt mechanisms.
This design also creates an exceptionally low working profile, a vital characteristic for maintenance and repair in confined spaces such as tunnels, on rail trestle bridges, or under catenary systems where most other machines cannot operate effectively.
Productivity in railway maintenance is also magnified by the sheer breadth of tasks a single machine can handle. The Gradall TrackStar excels in versatility, efficiently managing rail and tie replacement, trackside vegetation removal, concrete demolition, ballast spreading and crossing repairs.
This adaptability is further amplified by an extensive array of specialised attachments. Tools such as ballast brooms, tampers, sleeper chargers and layers, hydraulic hammers, grapples and tree limb shears allow crews to tackle diverse jobs with one prime mover, reducing the need for multiple specialised machines and the associated transport and setup times.
The availability of a hydraulic coupler and optional attachments like the Kinshofer Nox-Tiltrotator further detail the commitment to operational flexibility and efficiency.
By focusing on these critical operational and design details – enhanced mobility, a uniquely versatile and powerful boom, and a comprehensive suite of attachments – Gradall TrackStar machines empower railway maintenance crews to achieve greater productivity, respond faster to demands and complete a wider range of essential tasks with unmatched efficiency.
Click here to watch our video and learn more about Gradall TrackStar railway maintenance machines!
Find out more by visiting gradallrail.com.
This article first appeared in the Railway-News Magazine Issue 2 2025. Download a PDF version here.
