In addition to regular inspection underneath trains, train maintainers must also take out and put back heavy pieces of equipment. These items such as Compressors, Reversers and RPAs (rotary pneumatic actuators), weigh up to 350 kg.

To date the equipment to manhandle these bulky items was itself heavy and difficult to manoeuvre and was not versatile enough to handle every variation.

Harmill Systems worked with train maintenance and Depot Equipment Engineers to provide a very easy to use lightweight and versatile solution which can be adapted to a large number of equipment items.

Manipulators are light and easy to use and rail mounted types can be pushed with one finger even with a full load!

Specialised tooling can be manufactured to suit any equipment to be removed. Tool changes are simple being accomplished in a few minutes.

The compressor seen here being lowered from its position under the train, it can then either be repaired on the manipulator or swapped for a service unit.

Auto coupler attachment being used to lift the auto coupler assembly.