High capacity. Precision. Reliability.
A new development from Plasser & Theurer – RM 900 VB
High capacity ballast cleaning machine with a pre-separator unit and a crushing plant for ballast recycling
Over the past years a range of high capacity ballast cleaning machines with double screening units were developed by Plasser & Theurer in various designs and put into operation successfully. Particular attention was paid here to the highest possible working speed for optimum utilisation of the short track possessions and to a high quality of cleaning to guarantee the durability of the track.
With the new high capacity ballast cleaning machine RM 900 VB for Strabag Rail GmbH, the cost-saving re-use of the ballast was placed in the foreground, combined with the versatile range of uses. The machine is fitted with all the necessary work units for 1) ballast recycling with optional supply of new ballast, 2) ballast cleaning with optional supply of new ballast and 3) full excavation with optional supply of new ballast.
High-capacity machine with extensive equipment. The fully hydraulically powered RM 900 VB is a 22 axle machine and consists of a screening car, a pre-separator and crushing plant, an excavation machine and a two-part wagon, the power unit with rail sweeper unit and the tank car/measuring car together with an integrated track stabilizer.
For cost-efficient ballast cleaning the RM 900 VB incorporates a pre-separator and a crushing plant for ballast recycling, in addition to the high-quality excavating elements and the high performance eccentric screening unit, with dust arresting atomiser unit. Another feature of the equipment are the two dynamic track stabilising units which additionally assure the greatest possible initial quality of the track geometry.
The RM 900 VB tows MFS material conveyor and hopper units carrying new ballast which is transported by the conveyor system and placed in the track at the same time as the cleaned ballast. The proportion of new ballast can be adapted to suit the prevailing situation. Strabag Rail GmbH also has 20 MFS-100 units at their disposal which makes it possible for the entire material consisting of spoil and new ballast to be transported in the track under repair without disrupting traffic on the adjacent tracks.
All conveyor belts of the RM 900 VB are designed as chain conveyor belts and an automatic conveyor belt control enables easy surveillance. Furthermore, the main operator is informed continuously by a video system about the working conditions in the two screening units. Intercom systems and wireless headsets as well as plug-in earphones assure good acoustic communication between the various workplaces and cabins.
In compliance with DB regulations, electronic data recorders are installed to document the quality of the work performed. They record excavating depth and formation crossfall as well as superelevation, twist, settlement and versine of the cleaned track. In a small ceremony held in Brunswick on 4th May 2011, Strabag gave the RM 900 VB the name "Europe Express".
Captions:
Photo_01: RM 900 VB – Screening unit (foreground), pre-separator and crushing unit at the rear
Photo_02: RM 900 VB – Excavating section with 3-finger excavating chain (foreground), behind this the ballast is being placed and regulated