Save on personnel costs
Are you currently using several crew members to walk alongside a rail lifter machine and insert/position tie plates? With the RPI, the rail is lifted and the tie plates on both sides of the rail are simultaneously inserted and positioned - all by a single operator.
Single- or dual-rail operation
Single- or dual-rail operating modes make the RPI appropriate for use by both rail and tie gangs.
High productivity
The RPI can handle a plate insertion production pace of up to 10 ties per minute.
Select between automatic or manual modes
Use the one-button automatic mode to automatically insert tie plates at pre-set rail and plate heights or, when necessary, switch to manual mode to precisely move the workhead to the desired height/location.
One-button homing
After one set of tie plates is inserted, the one-button homing feature lowers the rail, retracts the plate fingers, and positions the finger assembly - automatically setting up the workhead for the next tie.
Increased operator visibility
An on-board camera and display provides additional visibility of the workhead region, as well as the surrounding area. In addition, the in-cab console notifies the operator of the plate insertion status.
Quickly adjust to different working conditions
Make simple workhead adjustments to handle different rail heights, plate lengths, ballast conditions, as well as curved track. In addition, an integrated turntable allows the RPI to easily reverse direction on the track.
Ad-hoc rail height adjustments
The Rail Bump-Up feature allows for quick, ad-hoc rail height changes for a single plate insertion.
Use fewer personnel carriers
The optional extended cab allows up to seven extra crew members (total capacity = 8) to ride in the cab. Fewer personnel carriers mean less equipment to maintain and less space needed on sidings for overnight storage.
Stock fewer maintenance parts
Since the RPI uses many of the same components as other Nordco machines, you can stock fewer maintenance parts on your parts wagon.