These bi-directional machines are used for ballast transfer, spreading and profiling operations. The machine can move ballast towards center of track or away from center of track, transfer ballast across the track and transfer ballast from a surplus zone to deficient zone.
These machines, manufactured by GEMAC Engineering, are equipped with Cummins model NTA 743C Diesel Engine 250 HP at 1800 rpm and is capable of running at 60 kmph. Power is supplied for driving the machine and its various attachments by a Cummins Diesel engine. To propel the machine, a closed circuit high pressure hydrostatic transmission powers the final drive. Both the rear and the front axles can be driven simultaneously for improved tractive effort. The machine is equipped with clasp air brakes on all the four wheels. The horn, brakes, plow locks and broom locks are operated pneumatically. The system is governed to regulate the pressure in air tank of 110-120 psi. The electrical system is of 24 volts. The system has a 30 Amp alternator and two 205 Amp-hour batteries wired in series. Protection is provided by circuit breakers.
Shoulder Ploughs are attached to the sides of the machine and are hydraulically operated and controlled from the cab. These are designed to work on shoulder ballast and shift ballast from outside to inside and from inside to outside. The machine can be equipped with standard fixed width ballast wings or optional variable width ballast wings for better profile shaping. Unlike the PBR 400 R, these machines have a Centre Plough provided in the middle i.e. between bogies/ wheels and is hydraulically operated and controlled from the cab. Like front plough, it is placed in between rails and is used for handling ballast in between rails. The Broom or Sweeper Conveyor System is mounted at the rear in these types of ballast regulator. It is used for track dressing operations, to remove ballast from top of sleepers, to fill under-ballasted cribs and to place extra ballast on the shoulders for final regulation and dressing. The sweeper unit consists of rotating drum fitted with flexible tubular rubber pieces of designated length and mounted inside steel plate housing. While rotating it throws surplus ballast via a guiding duct on to two lateral conveyors. In machines provided with hopper, these take ballast to a steep conveyor belt, which takes it to a hopper for collection. Broom is rotated by hydraulic motor.
The transfer of ballast from one side to other is done by properly positioning the shoulder plough and center plough. The shoulder plough can transfer ballast from outside to inside and from inside to outside. It can also carry ballast by enclosing ballast in boxed enclosure using shoulder plough. The center plough has two or four blades and can be combined with shoulder plough for transferring ballast. Behind the regulation activity, the Brooms pick up the ballast from over sleepers and it is either collected through conveyor belt to hopper or distributed directly through horizontal conveyor to sides. The sweeper cleans the fittings of ballast. n machines provided with center plough, only one pass should normally be required for complete profiling. Shoulder plough has a reach of upto 3.5 meter approximately from centerline of track in all machines and thus can handle ballast well beyond full ballast section of standard Indian railway track.