The Gottwald Railway Crane is a Recovery and Accident Relief Crane with a maximum capacity of 140 tonne. In combination with the uncouplable match wagon the crane is fitted with all the necessary operational components, can be erected in a minimum of time and can travel under its own power. All crane motions are carried out hydraulically and controlled from the spaciously glazed cab. The hydraulic pumps are driven by a diesel engine. Extensive safety devices continuously monitor the loading on the crane, the position of the boom and hook block, the slewing range and the counterweight which is mounted. The hydraulic system is protected by means of check valves in case of pipe or hose fractures. The hydraulically operated stabilizing devices mounted on the undercarriage enable a 360 degree working range of the crane also with maximum loads.
Crane undercarriage is pivoted on two bolsters which are mounted on three axle bogie wheels provided with disc brake due to which wear of the motion on rail goes to tread and braking wear goes on disc. Each wheel is braked with double jaw disc brakes by separate pneumatic cylinders. The running gear of the crane comprises two 3-axled bogies. The wheel sets are mounted in a hinged frame and spring suspended up to bogie centre section by means of coiled and disc springs. The spring suspension is blocked with hydraulic cylinders for crane operation. Each wheel is braked with double jaw brakes by means of a separate air pressure cylinder. To enable the crane to travel independently from train order one axle of each bogie is fitted with a separate engagable drive assembly.
The Driver's cab of this crane is mounted on superstructure front and is located between the jib fork, thus providing a clear view of its working area.
Match truck is mainly for carrying Jib, Counterweights, Main and Auxiliary Snatch block, Ropes and tackles. The location of weights, tackles, lifting beams and jib head is placed so as to distribute the load evenly and keep the axle load within limits. When being hauled the match wagon serves to straw the hook blocks and the boom head. Through placing the counterweights on the match wagon the axle loadings of the crane for hauling operation will be reduced to the required loadings. The match wagon also serves to stow the outrigger pads and slings etc. The match wagon under frame is fitted with the required mounting devices, stowage bags and the boom support. The buffing and draw gear is mounted on each crane at the front.
In the 140T Breakdown Crane of Gottwald make all motions are through fluid power. Power is transmitted and controlled through either oil or air under pressure. In the 140T crane, various crane operations are performed with the help of Hydraulic Motors and hydraulic cylinders. The motors are fed with oil under a very high pressure with the help of Heavy Duty Hydraulic Pumps.
The undercarriage is equipped with air brake system but can be integrated in both vacuum brake and compressed air braked train order. For this the corresponding hose couplings must be connected and the brake valves switched over with side mounted hand levers. Each bogie has a total of 6 compressed air brake cylinders, whose double jaws act on the discs mounted on wheels.