ROAD-RAIL: A compact all-terrain flash-butt rail welder has been built using a Doosan DX160W wheeled excavator modified to the specifications of UK firm Future Welding.
The vehicle was converted for road-rail use by Philmor Rail, before US firm Holland Co fitted the Deutz power pack and a flash-butt welding head. This can complete welds in 10 min, comparing favourably with more than an hour using traditional processes. The onboard computer displays and records weld characteristics, with each being assigned a unique number for later analysis.
The 25·4 tonne machine is highly manoeuvrable, enabling it to easily enter and leave a section of track in a space of less than 6 m. Lift and slew locks allow safe working on electrified lines. An extra side-mounted seat with its own access door located at the rear of the cab allows a 'machine controller' to be safely transported along the track rather than walk in front of the machine to the worksite. The top speed of 30 km/h is available travelling in either directions.
The Doosan vehicle was converted for road-rail use by Philmor Rail. Holland Co fitted the Deutz power pack and a flash-butt welding head.
