How do you change a railway sleeper?

How do you use a railway sleeper?

How to Use Railway Sleeper Replacement Machines: Boosting Efficiency in Track Maintenance

Modern railway sleeper replacement machines  revolutionize track maintenance by replacing manual labor with precision engineering.

1. Machine Setup & Safety Protocol

Equipment Attachment: Sleeper-changing units mount onto 6–24-ton excavators via quick-hitch adapters. Key components include hydraulic claws for gripping sleepers, rotating arms (360° flexibility), and ballast plows for clearing gravel Rail Adaptation: Convert standard excavators to "road-rail" mode using retractable steel wheels that grip tracks. Hydraulic lifts adjust height for stable operation.

Safety First: Deploy rail traffic blocks, wear high-visibility gear, and isolate power lines before operation.

2. Step-by-Step Operational Workflow

Ballast Clearing: Use the machine’s plow blade to excavate gravel around the sleeper,Sleeper Extraction: Engage hydraulic claws to grip the old sleeper (concrete/wood).The machine’s force lifts it vertically without damaging rails.

New Sleeper Installation: Position the replacement sleeper using the rotating arm.

Ballast Refilling: Deploy the plow to redistribute gravel around the new sleeper.  Compact layers using integrated vibratory tampers.