Safely move and install full rail panels with minimal boots on the ground. Ideal for rapid panel replacements in track construction and emergency restoration.
Time is critical during any emergency washout repair, since normal operations halt while the track remains down and MOW crews address the damage. The typical washout repair process for our Class I railroad client required workers to climb into gondola cars, manually attach chains to heavy track panels, and guide panels as they were moved into place. Every step of that process is tricky, risky, and time-consuming.
The railroad’s maintenance of way crew paired a new BTE-325 excavator, custom-engineered for high-performance lifting and maneuverability, with the BTE Panel Lifter attachment, which allows operators to pick, maneuver, and place panels directly from the cab.
Start to finish, the MOW crew was able to unload panels out of the gondola cars and complete emergency washout repairs in just over seven hours (425 minutes), without requiring workers to climb inside gondola cars, work near heavy suspended loads, or manually attach and handle lifting chains. The operation was safer, simpler, and much faster, allowing normal operations to resume quickly while minimizing risk to crew members.
BTE's Excavator and Panel Lifter solution excel in time-sensitive situations where safety and speed are critical concerns.
