BALLAST CLEANING MACHINE Russian patent published in 2004 - IPC

FIELD: railway transport; repair and maintenance of rail tracks. SUBSTANCE: invention relates to devices for taking out and cleaning ballast layer from litter and weed behind ends of ties. Proposed machine consists of frame installed on running wheels on which at least one working member with lifting/lowering mechanism is installed. Fixed frame with tilting guides is mounted also on machine frame on which working member is installed for travel. Said working member in operating position remains floating, being essentially scraper elevator consisting of frame. At least three sprockets with endless chain are mounted on frame. Scrapers are rigidly secured on chain. Chute is mounted on scraper elevator frame in zone of rising section of endless chain. Undercutting knife is mounted in lower part of chute so that its cutting edge is not lower than lower edge of scraper. EFFECT: reduced metal usage and energy consumption, improved reliability and increased service life of working member, decreased overall dimensions of machine in working position. 2 cl, 5 dwg