US2828699A - Machine and method for withdrawing and replacing railroad ties - Google Patents

Description

ATTORNEY April 1, 1958 H. c. Fox 2,828,699

MACHINE AND METHOD FOR WITHDRAWING AND REPLACING RAILROAD TIES 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 29, 1955- BY (Wm, 64 M/MZZ April 1, 1958 H. c. FOX I 2,828,699 MACHINE AND METHOD FOR WITHDRAWING AND REPLACING RAILROAD TIES.

Filed Aug. 29, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 R1 Away/ 4 ZJM, 4%,M Via/324.01)

ATTORNEY April 1, 1958 H. c. FOX MACHINE AND METHOD FOR WITHDRAWING AND REPLACING RAILROAD TIES 5 Sheets- Sheet 3 Filed Aug. 29, 1955 INVENTOR /I5 BY wwm ATTORNEY} April 1, 1958 H. c. FOX 2,828,699

MACHINE AND METHOD FOR WITHDRAWING AND REPLACING RAILROAD TIES Filed Aug. 29, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Y W 6 J INVENTOR WWW, 4 K

ATTORNEY April 1, 1958 H. c. Fox 2,828,699 MACHINE AND METHOD FOR WITHDRAWING AND REPLACING RAILROAD TIES Filed Aug. 29, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 E5. y; Z 44/ 15; a? INVENTOR WW 3914 BY m5 @z M/a/m ATTORNEY nite States Patent MACHINE AND METHOD FOR WITHDRAWIN G AND REFPLACZNG RAILROAD TIES Herbert Clyde Fox, Atlanta, Ga. Application August 29, 1955, Serial No. 531,157

6 Galina. (U. 104'-9) The present invention relates to a machine and method for Withdrawing and replacing railroad ties from a railroad track structure.

In maintaining a railroad track structure in satisfactory condition, it is necessary from time to time to replace individual ties upon which the tracks are laid, as the effective life of the ties in the structure varies according to the characteristics of the wood from which they are formed and also according to the effectiveness of the preservative treatments to which they have been subjected. It is also desirable, in the interest of economy, to re-use in the track structures of yards and sidelines ties which have been withdrawn from the roadbed of a main line in which it is necessary to maintain the track structure in excellent condition at all times. For this reason, any machine or method of withdrawing and replacing ties, in order to be economically feasible, must be capable of withdrawing the ties without seriously marring them or affecting their strength.

In the past, the removal and replacement .of ties has been done principally by manual means, and the cost of maintaining the roadbed in good condition is costly for this reason. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a tie-removing and replacing machine which is inexpensive to construct, and which, at the same time, emoves and replaces ties without damaging them. A further object of the invention is to provide a machine of this character mounted on a railroad truck which can easily be transported to the point at which the machine is to be operated.

Another further object of the invention is to provide a tie-removing and replacing machine which can be transported and operated with a minimum of labor, thereby making extensive savings in the cost of maintaining track structures in good condition. 7

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description or" the one embodiment of the invention which is illustrated in theaccompanying drawings. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made in the machine illustrated in the drawing without departing from the spirit of the invention, and thatthe specific illustration and description is for the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the invention.

In the drawings: 7

Figure l is a side elevational view of one form of machine constructed according to this invention in which the pivotally mounted head-supporting frame of the machine is shown in dotted lines in its tie-handling position, and in solid lines in its stored position;

Figure 2 is a plan View of the machine shown in Fig. 1;

Figure 3 is a side elevational view of the tie-engaging head of the machine shown in Figures 1 and 2;

Figure 4 is a plan view of the tie-engaging head of the machine shown in Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view on the line 5-5 of Figure 4;

or a

Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view on the line 6-6 of Figure 4;

Figure 7 is a vertical sectional view on the line 7-7 of Figure 4;

Figure 8 is a vertical sectional ,view on line 8-8 of Figure 2 showing the portions of the truck frame and the head-supporting frame at which they are pivotally con nected, and also showing the hydraulic member which acts to return the head-supporting frame from its tieengaging position to its stored position;

Figure 9 is a sectional view of a modification of a headoperating mechanism which may be employed in lieu of that shown in Figure 6; and

Figure 10 is a horizontal sectional view on the line iii-1b of Figure 9.

The general organization of a tie-pulling and replacing machine constructed according to this invention may be seen best in Figures 1 and 2. The machine shown therein comprises a four-wheeled truck T which is adapted to run on standard-gauge rails, and a tie-handling mechanism pivotally supported on the truck. The tie-handling mechanism consists essentially of a head H which is rigidly fixed to the forward end of a head-supporting frame F. The frame F is pivotally connected to the truck T, and the truck T and frame F are so designed that the tie engaging members of the head H may be quickly and accurately lowered into working position and returned to stored position, as desired. At least one pair of tie-engaging members (10, 10a) forming a part of the head H, are supported for rotation about vertical axes, and are normally spaced apart longitudinally of the machine a distance greater than the width of a standard tie. The longitudinally spaced tie-engaging members are also movable relatively towards and away from one another. Normally the tie-engaging members of each pair are separated to the extent that when lowered into their working position these tie-engaging members may then be moved relatively towards one another to firmly engage the tie therebetween. The tie-engaging members are then rotated in the direction which will cause the engaged the to be ejected from beneath the rails. One or more pairs of tie. engaging members constructed to coact in the described manner may be employed, and for purposes of illustration the machine shown in the accompanying drawings comprises two such pairs, namely iti, 16a and 12, 12a.

The necessary power for forcing the tie-engaging members into operative position, and thereafter rotating them, is derived from the engine E which is supported of the rearward end of the frame F so as to partially counterbalance the Weight of the head H about its pivotal connection to the frame The mechanism through which driving torque is transmitted from the engine E to tieengaging members will be described in more detail hereinafter. The relative motion of the tie-engaging members into their working positions is imparted, preferably, by a' hydaulically actuated piston or pistons, the source of hydraulic pressure being a pump powered by the engine E. This same source of hydraulic pressure is conveniently employed to control the swinging movement of the headsupporting frame F into its working or stored position, as also explained more fully hereinafter.

It will be apparent that by providing an appropriategearing and clutching mechanism the engine E may be employed to furnish motive power to the truck T, but the present invention is not concerned with means by which the wheeled tie-removing and replacing mechanism isv moved from one work location to another.

The frame of the truck comprises transom members 14 and 16 which are rigidly connected at their rearward ends to either end of the longitudinal member 18 which lies along the back of the truck. The head-supporting frame F is pivotally connected to the truck frame bytlife Patented Apr. 1, 1958' 3 rod and the forward end of the frame F supports the rigidly afiixed tie-engaging head H. The head H is moved from its stored position, shown in solid lines in Figure l, to its working position, shown in dotted lines, by causing the head-supporting frame to swing relatively to the truck T about the pivot rod 20.

The forward ends of the truck transoms 14, 16 are rigidly fixed with respect to one another by means of bracing which extends over the head-supporting frame F so that it may be lowered unobstructed into its working position. This bracing comprises the uprights 22, 24, fixed, respectively, to the ends of the transoms 14, 16 and a cross-tie member 26 rigidly fixed between the ends of the uprights. Diagonal braces 28, 30 are also fixed between the transoms 14, 16 respectively, and the upper ends of their respective uprights 22, 24, thereby adding to the rigidity and strength of the truck T while permitting the head-supporting frame F to be moved freely between its working and stored positions. The truck T is further braced by the diagonal members 32, 34 which at their forward ends are fixed to the inner sides of the transoms 14, 16. These members converge rearwardly and at their rearward ends are fixed to the forward section of the longitudinal member 18. Midway between the ends of the members 32, 34 the longitudinally disposed cross-piece 36 is fixed and this serves to support the lower end of the hydraulic mechanism by means of which the relative swinging movement between the truck T and the frame F is controlled, as will' later be described in more detail.

It will be observed that the longitudinal frame member 18 of truck T consists of two parallel sections 18a and 1815. Referring to Figures 2 and 8, it will also be seen that journal blocks 38 are fixed to the upper sides of the sections 18a, 18b at longitudinally spaced intervals and that similar journal blocks 40 are fixed to the underside of the rearward portion of the frame F. All of these journal blocks 38, 40 are provided with bearing apertures which are axially aligned and in which the pivot rod 20 is received, and about which the frame F is caused to swing relatively to the truck T.

The head-supporting frame F comprises sub-frame members 42, 44, 46 and 48 which lie parallel to one another up to the forward ends of members 42, 48 as may be seen in Figures 1 and 2. The members 44, 46 converge forwardly beyond the forward ends of members 42, 48, and at their distal portions are turned into parallel relationship to engage between them the supporting tongue 50 of the tie-handling head H. The frame F also comprises members 52, 54 which are mounted, respectively, on the upper sides of sub-frame members 42, 48, and the forward ends of members 52, 54 are rigidly held with respect to one another by the plate 58 joined thereto.

As previously indicated, the tie-handling head H is supported on the frame F by the tongue 50 which extends between the distal parallel ends of the members 44, 46, and is held securely in position by the bolt 60. In addition, the tongue 50 is preferably welded to the members 44, 46.

The forward top portion of the tongue 50 is cut away to receive the bottom and a portion of the rear side wall of the tubular member 62. This member 62 is rectangular in cross-section and open at either end, as may be seen best in Figure 5. The member 62 is welded or otherwise securely fastened to the tongue 50 in the position illustrated in Figure 5.

Referring to Figures 3 to 6, it may be seen that the head H consists essentially of two parts, one of which supports and holds in relatively fixed position the totatable tie-engaging members 10a and 12a, and the other of which is slidably mounted with respect to the first part and on which the rotatable tie-engaging members 10 and 12 are supported. The first of these parts ofthe head H is'shown best in Figure 5, and the second, or relatively slidable part, is shown best in Figure 3 and in the lower portion of Figure 4.

Referring to Figure 5, it may be seen that a plate 64 is fixed to the upper side of the tubular member 62 and that on this plate there is mounted two spaced-apart bearing blocks 66, 68. A stub shaft is rotatably supported in these blocks, and on the portion of the shaft intermediate the blocks there is fixed a bevel gear 72. The upper end of a shaft 74 extends upwardly through the plate 64 and on this end is fixed a bevel gear 76 which is positioned to enact with the gear 72, and thus drive the shaft 74.

As seen best in the left-hand portion of Figure 6, the shaft 74 extends downwardly through bearings supported in apertures in the bottom and top sides of the tubular member 62, and through an elongated slot in a member 80 which is slidably received with the tubular member 62. The relatively movable part of the head H is mounted on this sliding member 80, as will be described more fully hereinafter.

Again referring to Figure 6, the lower end of the shaft 74 is journaled in a bearing 82 which is mounted on the underside of a plate 84, supported in general parallelism with the plate 64 by the hanger plate 86, which is fixed along its upper edge to the plate 64 (Figure 5). Immediately above the plate 84, the shaft 74 carries a gear wheel 88, which meshes with gear wheels 90, 92 which are fixed to the shafts 94, 96, respectively, on which the tieengaging members 10a and 12a are supported. The shafts 94, 96 are journaled at their upper ends in bearings (not shown) fixed to the underside of the plate 64 and, at a portion intermediate the tie-engaging members and the driving gears, in hearings or bushings (not shown) carried by the plate 84. The above-described arrangement is such that when turning torque is applied to the shaft 70 it will be transmitted through the shaft 74 to the gear 88 and applied to the shafts 94, 96, through gears 90, 92, in the direction which causes the tie-engaging members 10:: and 12a to rotate in the same direction.

The relatively slidable part of the tie-handling head H is shown to best advantage in Figure 3, in the lower portion of Figure 5 and in the right-hand portion of Figure 6. The operating parts of this section of the head are supported towards one end of the member 80 which is slidably received in the tubular member 62. A plate 100 extends transversely of the length of the sliding member 80 and is fixed to the upper side thereof towards the end which protrudes from the tubular member 62. The plate 100 and the upper and lower sides of the sliding member 80 are provided with vertically aligned apertures through which the upper portion of the shaft 102 extends. A plate 106, generally similar in form to plate 100, is supported beneath the plate 100 by the hanger 108, and the underside of the plate 106 carries a bearing 110 in which a lower portion of the shaft 102 is journaled. The gear wheel 112 is fixed to the shaft 102 immediately above the upper side of the plate 110, and this gear wheel is meshed on either side with the gear wheels 114, 116. The vertically disposed shafts 118, are rotatively supported at their upper ends in bearings (not shown) carried on the underside of the plate 100, and their lower portions extend through bushings (not shown) supported in the plate 106. The tie-engaging elements 10, 12, respectively, are fixed to the lower ends of the shafts 118, 120, and through the described connections are caused to rotate in the same direction upon rotation of the bevel gear 104. Referring to Figure 3, it may be seen that two transversely spaced bearing blocks 122, 124 are supported on the upper surface of the plate 100, and that a stub shaft 126 supported in these bearing blocks carries a bevel gear 128 which is positioned to drive the bevel gear 104. The rearward end of the stub shaft 126 extends through the bearing block 122 and has fixed thereto one part of a universal joint 130 in the driving connections between the head H and the engine E.

The construction and arrangement of the tie-handling head described above are such that the tie-engaging elements and 12 may be positioned on one side of a tie end and the tie-engaging elements 10a and 12a on the other side thereof. The portion of the head H on which the tie-engaging elements 10 and 12 are supported can be moved relatively towards their cooperating elements 10a and 12a, respectively, and the tie end firmly gripped the tie-engaging elements on either side thereof. As substantial force is necessary to move the tie-engaging elements into working position, and retain them there, means are provided for this purpose. The relative movement of the tie-engaging elements, and their retention, is accomplished by means of a hydraulically actuated piston and cylinder arrangement shown best in Figures 4, 5 and 6.

A cylinder 132 is supported by a bracket 134 on the underside of the forward end of the head supporting tongue 50. A piston 136, slidable in the cylinder (Figure 6) has fixed thereto a piston rod 138 which at its distal end carries a block 140. Referring to Figures 4 and 6, it may be seen that a strap 142 is fixed at one end to the block 140 and at its other end to the vertical end surface of the sliding member 80, which carries the structure, heretofore described, upon which the tie-engaging elements 10 and 12 are supported. Also fixed to the block 140 is one end of a strap 144 which extends longitudinally behind the vertical shafts 74, 102 and at its other grips the rear vertical edge of the plate 108. By these means, movement of the piston 136 to left as seen in Figure 6 will cause the tie-engaging elements 10 and 12 to move towards the tie-engaging elements 10a and 12a, respectively, and when positioned initially on either side of a tie will grip the tie firmly therebetween. Movement of the piston is accomplished by admitting a source of hydraulic pressure, later described, to the cylinder to the rear of the piston. Upon release of the hydraulic pressure, it is desirable to have the tie-engaging elements 10 and 12 return to their initial position, which is a short dis tance to the one side of the tie which they engage, in order to release the displaced tie and make ready for the placement and gripping of the new tie which is to be inserted. One means by which this may be accomplished is illustrated in Figure 7. A pair of longitudinally disposed tubes 150, 152 are welded or otherwise secured in apertures formed in the plate 86. Helical springs 154, 156, respectively, are placed within the tubes and the one ends of the springs are anchored to the corresponding ends of the tubes by means of bolts 162 and 164. The other ends of the springs are fixed to the upright 160and this is fixed to the strap 144 which has been previously described. The righthand end of the tubes 150, 152, as seen in Figure 7, are more forwardly disposed than the forward edge of the plate 108 so that they do not obstruct movement of the slidable part of the head. It will be seen, therefore, that as the slidable part of the head H is moved by hydraulic pressure behind the piston 136 to the dotted line position shown in Figure 6, to grip the tie T, the springs 154, 156 will be extended. Upon release of the pressure, the springs contract and return the slidable part of the head to the solid line position shown in Figure7 due to their connection with strap 144. To aid in guiding the return movement there is also provided a helical spring 166, which at one end is fixed to the plate 166 and at its other end to the strap 144 near its connection to the block'140. This may be seen best in Figure 2.

Auxiliary means is provided for moving the tie-engaging elements between their open and closed positions and this is illustrated in Figures 9 and 10. An operating shaft 170 is journaled in vertically aligned apertures formed in the tubular member 62 at a position longitudinally intermediate the shafts 72, 102. As previously explained, the sliding member 80 has longitudinally extending slots in its top and bottom sides which permit it to move relatively to the shaft 74 extending therethrough. The operating shaft 170 also extends through these slots. The rearward interior wall of the sliding member 80 has a rack 172 formed thereon, and a pinion 174 fixed to the operating shaft170 engages thisrack. Upon rotation of the shaft 170, which is facilitated by the handwheel 175 shown best in Figures 1 and 2, the sliding element 80 is caused to move relatively to the tubular member 62, and thus cause the tie-engaging elements to move to open or closed position, depending upon the direction in which the handwheel is rotated.

It will be observed that the head supporting tongue 50 is angled slightly upward from the plane of the frame members 44, 46 to which it is fixed. This is done so that when the frame and head are lowered into the operative position, shown in dotted lines in Figure 1, the bottom surfaces of all the tie-engaging elements will be in substantially the same plane. Other arrangements for accomplishing this same purpose will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Furthermore, other shapes and forms of the rotary tie-engaging elements may be employed in lieu of the cylindrical elements with heavily kurled circumferential surfaces which are disclosed in the exemplifying drawings. The bottom surfaces of the tie-engaging elements shown in the drawings are provided with cleats 176 which are highly advantageous in displacing ballast lying alongside of a tie which it is desired to remove, but the cleats may be dispensed with if desired, or replaced by a conical extension of the tie-engaging elements. All such changes and'modifications are considered within the scope of the present invention.

The hydraulic mechanism for controlling the relative swinging movement between the frame F and the truck T is shown in Figure 8. The lower end of a piston rod 180 is pivotally held by the pin 182 which is supported in the upright ears 184, 186 fixed to the strength member the upper end of the rod works in the cylinder 188 under the influence of hydraulic pressure admitted into the cylinder above the piston. (The same source of hydraulic pressure is employed to operate this piston as is employed to operate piston 136 which controls the opening and closing movements of the tie-engaging elements.) The upper end of the cylinder 188 is provided with a ball-shaped protrusion 190 which is received in a socket 192, thereby providing a pivotal connection to the bracing member 194 on which the socket is supported. The bracing member 194 is fixed to the frame F, one end being welded to the member 54 (Figure 2) and the other being welded to the floor panel 196. As seen best in Figure 8, the bracing member 194 is generally an inverted U-shaped and the socket 192 is fixed intermediate the side legs. A further bracing member 198, of the same general shape extends longitudinally over, and is fixed to, the member 194. The member 198 crosses over and reinforces the member 194 at approximately the point at which the socket 192 is fixed to the underside of the bracing member 194. Arranged in this manner, the relative swinging movement between the frame and the truck can be controlled by admitting to and releasing hydraulic pressure in the cylinder 183. When the frame F is in its stored position, shown in solid lines in Figure 1, a bar 200 is positioned beneath the forward portions of the frame members 44, 46 with its ends resting on the transom members 14, 16 of the truck. The bar 200 thus acts to support the frame in its stored position when the machine is being transported, and is removed when the machine is to be used. When the bar 200 is removed, the downward movement of the head H on the front end of the frame is controlled by releasing hydraulic pressure from the cylinder 188. The head H is lowered in this manner to position the tie-engaging elements rela tively to a tie as shown in dotted lines in Figure 1 and in solid lines in Figure 6. A rail-gripping bracket 202 is fixed to the rearward side of the head H and cups the head of the rail on which the truck is supported, as shown in dotted lines in Figure 1. This aids in steadying the machine when a tie is being withdrawn or replaced, and

relieves the wheel assembly of the thrust forces which would otherwise be applied to them in full. The tieengaging elements 10, 12 are then caused to move toward their coacting elements 100, 12a and to grip the tie therebetween by admitting a hydraulic fluid under pressure behind the piston 136. This pressure is supplied by a fluid pump 204 which is supplied through conduit 206 connected to a reservoir 208. The pump is driven through the belt drive 222 from an output shaft on the engine E. Fluid under pressure is delivered by the pump through conduit 219 to a valve 212. The conduit 214 delivers fluid under pressure into the cylinder 132, and behind the piston 136, upon manual actuation of the valve 212. In a similar manner fluid under pressure is delivered through conduit 215 to valve 218, upon manual actuation of which fluid under pressure may be delivered through conduit 228 to the cylinder 188 and thereby cause the frame F to swing about its pivot rod 20 to stored position.

When the tie-engaging elements have gripped the end portion of a tie firmly therebetween, the elements are caused to rotate in the direction which will eject the tie from its position beneath the rails. The necessary torque for rotating the tie-engaging elements is derived from the engine E. The main output shaft 224 of the engine E carries a sprocket 226 which is drivingly connected by the chain 228 to the sprocket wheel 230. The sprocket 23% is mounted on the input shaft 232 of the reversing gearing 235, which is of conventional design. The output shaft of the reversing gearing is connected through shafting 235, including universal joints 236 and 238, to the stub shaft 70. The torque delivered to the shaft 70 is transmitted to the tie-engaging elements 10a and 12:: through connections previously described with reference to Figure 5.

The drive for tie-engaging elements 10 and 12 is taken from the sprocket wheel 249 which is fixed to the the shafting 235 intermediate the bearing blocks 242, 244 which are supported on the frame member 58. A chain 246 drivingly connects the sprocket 240 to the sprocket wheel 248 on the shafting 25% intermediate bearing blocks 252, 254 also supported on frame member 58. The shafting 250 includes universal joints 256, 130 and is connected to the stub shaft 126 which carries the bevel gear 128. The torque delivered to the stub shaft 126 is transmitted to tie-engaging elements 10 and 12 through the connections previously described with reference to Figure 3.

When the machine has been operated to eject a tie, as aforesaid, the hydraulic pressure on the piston 136 is released by actuation of the valve 212 and the springs 154, 156 act to return the tie-engaging elements to their open position, shown in solid lines in Figure 6.

The machine may then be employed to place a new tie in the position from which the old one was withdrawn by positioning the leading end of the new tie between the opened tie-engaging elements. The tie-engaging elements are then closed upon the tie end by actuation of. valve 212. The direction of rotary drive of the elements is reversed by manual adjustment of the reversing gearing 234. The engine clutch may then be engaged and the tie will be drawn into proper position beneath the rails.

Upon the completion of the tie withdrawing and replacement operation, the valve 218 may be actuated to raise the frame F to its stored position. The retaining bar 200 may then be insered between the truck and frame to retain the frame in stored position when the engine E is stopped and power to the pump 204 is cut The machine is then ready to be transported, by rail if desired, to the next work location.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and is desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A machine'for inserting and removing railroad cross ties beneath the rails of a track structure, comprising a wheeled'truck guided for longitudinal movement along the rails, a frame pivotally supported on said truck for vertical movement between a raised inoperative position and a lowered operative position, movable means carried by said frame for operatively engaging and transversely moving a cross tie in the lowered operative position of said frame, a rail gripping bracket fixedly carried by said frame for operative engagement with a rail in the lowered operative position of said frame, said bracket including laterally presented abutment means rigidly fixed to said bracket against lateral displacement for engagement with the sid'e of the rail for transmitting lateral thrust from the said frame to the rail.

2. A machine for inserting and removing railroad cross ties beneath the rails of a track structure comprising a wheeled truck guided for movement along said rails, a frame p'ivotally supported on said truck for vertical movement between a raised inoperative position and a lowered operative position, means for selectively raising and lowering said frame, a work head carried by said frame to one side of said truck, said head comprising cross tie engaging elements and means for operating said elements, a tail gripping bracket fixedly connected to said head for engaging one of said rails to determine the lowered operative position of said frame, said bracket receiving said rail and having abutment means depending on opposite sides of the rail for transmitting thereto the lateral thrust arising from operation of the said tie engaging elements.

- 3. The combination of claim 2 in which said cross tie engaging elements comprise a plurality of pairs of rollers, the rollers of each pair being selectively spaced ap'artin' the direction of movement of the truck to depend on opposite sides of a cross tie, and said pairs of rollers being relatively aligned transversely to the said direction of movement to accurately guide the ties transversely't'o the rails.

4L The combination of claim 3 including means for simultaneously and equally moving the rollers of each pair relative to each other to vary'their said spacing.

5! A machine for inserting and removing railroad cross ties beneath the rails of a track structure comprising a' wheeled truck guided for movement along said rails, a frame member extending transversely to the move ment of said truck and medially pivoted thereon for vertical swinging movement, a work head carried by said frame on one side of its medial pivot, and rotatable means carried by said .head for operatively engaging and transversely moving a cross tie, a motor carried by said frame on the opposite side of said pivot for partially counterbalancing the weight of said work head, and means establishing a driving relation between said motor and said rotatable means.

6. The combination of claim 5, including a hydraulic pump on said frame in driven relation with said motor, and hydraulic means in circuit with said pump and driven thereby for tilting said frame about its pivot.

References Cited in the file of this patent 'Hesemann Feb. 21, 1956

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