Earthtrack Solutions - Rail Sleeper Replacement, Track Maintenance and Construction

Earthtrack Solutions boasts the largest fleet of track excavators in Australia fitted with rotating tilt hitches. These hitches have constantly proven their value in the field, subsequently they are now a vital component of all Earthtrack Solutions' machines working on the railway; improving productivity, efficiency and overall capabilities of the machine.

Track excavators fitted with rotating tilt hitches

Its fleet of innovative rail specific attachments are complemented perfectly by rotating tilt hitches enabling greater functionality for any application. The combination of these two components promotes precision and accuracy when undertaking any form of work on the railway, from laying sleepers to turnout placement.

The versatility of the full 360° rotation accompanied by a 40° tilt in either direction ensures that any machine in any application will perform above and beyond expectation.

Rail track construction equipment

In recent years Earthtrack Solutions has invested heavily in its range of track construction equipment to better cater to the demand it has experienced.

The range of machines and attachments is now even more diverse and it is better equipped to supply clients with even greater versatility and increased productivity for their projects.

The range of attachments can include rail threaders, tamping heads, fork grab, and a variety of sleeper laying attachments. Earthtrack Solutions has recently added a number of attachments suitable to work on narrow gauge rail as well as the standard / broad gauge attachments. The sleeper laying attachments can be adjusted to cater for different sleeper spacings and these attachments can be provided to suit the different sleeper configurations used around Australia. All the attachments can be used on a number of the machines, from track excavators to hi-rail excavators.

Eight sleeper Octopus

Earthtrack Solutions currently boasts two eight sleeper Octopus sleeper laying attachments in its fleet. The Octopus with this capability is rare and has been designed specifically for use in Western Australia.

Fitted to a 30t excavator and operated with a rotating tilt hitch the Octopus promotes accuracy and precision laying on narrow, standard and broad gauge track construction projects.

This piece of equipment has been under constant demand for well over 12 months due mainly to the productivity and cost-saving benefits experienced by clients.

The Octopus compliments the more traditional track laying machines still being used by offering precision laying in areas with tight access such as curves, cuttings or on bridges. This unit is also proven to be efficient and productive as the sole method of sleeper laying and replacing the sleeper laying machines on some projects.

The Octopus caters for a range of sleeper spacings, with a simple adjustment the sleepers can be laid accurately at the spacings required offering greater versatility and diversity to the project.

Excavator undercutting

In 2010 Earthtrack Solutions raised the bar in excavator undercutting. It purchased the first ballast blaster in Australia from the US, offering clients a superior option to the undercutters already available. This undercutter has proven its value to the fleet time and again, providing cost-effective and low maintenance operation.

This bar has been designed with a number of cost-saving and productivity features such as long-life shark-style carbide tungsten tip teeth that are designed to last the life of the chain and reduced maintenance time and cost. The undercutter also offers a forward and reverse cutting motion to enable dual cutting direction and this feature is not readily available on units such as this.

Earthtrack Solutions wanted to offer this undercutter with even greater functionality. It achieved this by setting it up to operate from a hi-rail excavator. This aspect allows the operator greater visibility and improved access in tight and hard to access areas such as cuttings.

These undercutters are driven by a direct hydraulic drive, eliminating gearbox failure and downtime. The additional benefit of the direct drive motor system means it operates at low speed and high torque output, providing the highest cutting power.

Rail track maintenance equipment

Earthtrack Solutions offer a range of machines and attachments designed specifically to cater for a variety of rail maintenance applications.

The equipment offers diversity and versatility enabling clients to benefit from cost-effective and efficient alternatives for achieving project targets while maintaining a strong focus on quality.

The maintenance attachments include a state-of-the-art undercutter that is used on one of the hi-rail excavators.

The undercutter forms part of an attachment package for maintenance works, this package can include a ballast plough, ballast broom, tamping head, rail threader, platypus and fork grab. These attachments can all be used on the hi-rail excavator. If you require an additional machine for the shoulder work when undercutting, these attachments can be used on that as well.

This package, which offers increased productivity and reduced running costs has attracted high demand from some of Australia's largest rail contractors.

Sleeper replacement

Earthtrack Solutions has been involved in the replacement of more than one million wooden sleepers with concrete sleepers around Australia since 2007.

The methodology used for the sleeper replacement required a specific attachment to be designed and built for the project. This attachment, attached to an excavator with the rotating hitch, has the capability to extract the old sleeper, clear the excess ballast and insert the new concrete sleeper all from the cabin of the excavator. The method requires precision and accuracy from the operator to maintain the quality of the replacement.

This method of sleeper replacement enables Earthtrack Solutions to maintain a live track by using rubber tracked excavators, which sit on the rail while undertaking the sleeper replacement, encouraging a cost-effective and efficient alternative to the more traditional methods used in the past.

Earthtrack Solutions has the capabilities, if required, to provide a complete package of machine, operator and supervisory personnel to assist the client with project targets while still implementing a strong focus on quality and site safety.