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September 2022
Compiled by Grace Renderman, Associate Editor
Designed for transit or heavy-haul applications, Loram Technologies Inc.’s gauge-face lubricants are pumpable in extremely low temperatures and biodegradable. EcoCurve Heavy Haul carries the European Ecolabel — awarded to products that meet high environmental standards — and is suitable to use near bodies of water, company officials said in an email. Rail King HL is “inherently biodegradable” and has high load-carrying capabilities, making it best suited for heavy-haul applications, company officials said.
The company’s top-of-rail (TOR) friction modifiers are specifically designed for wayside applications and help reduce noise, extend rail and wheel life and save fuel, they added. TOR-Extend is a clean, synthetic friction modifier that has a low evaporation rate, uses less material per application and has a carry distance of over six miles in most applications. TOR-H20X has the benefits of both water-based and synthetic modifiers and is a non-cavitating material with a carry distance of 4 to 6 miles.
This year, Loram Technologies introduced a family of modular tank sizes from 25 gallons/200 pounds to 200 gallons/1,600 pounds in carbon steel or stainless steel configurations. The units are available for TOR or gauge-face applications and can be solar- or AC-powered, company officials said. The smaller tank sizes are ideal for low-traffic areas like switching yards and industrial spurs, and can also manage lower-tonnage Class Is and transit systems. The larger tank sizes are more appropriate for Class Is, officials said.
Glidex® MC is a long-lasting synthetic switch lubricant that keeps rail switches operating smoothly in any climate, Midwest Industrial Supply Inc. officials said. Glidex MC also can be used for slide plates, throw rods, movable bridges, overhead crane rails, couplers and other applications. Designed for both passenger- and freight-rail systems, it is easier to apply than traditional graphite, company officials said.
The lubricant contains a specially formulated additive designed to reduce oxidation. It has residual properties that have the cumulative effect of inhibiting metal corrosion and reducing metal-on-metal friction, company officials said.
Glidex MC also does not pack and harden, an advantage over graphite lubricants, company officials said. That means less maintenance requirements for switches. The nonflammable, noncorrosive lubricant isn’t water-soluble, so it can’t be washed away by rainfall or melting snow, officials said.
The L.B. Foster Co. Remote Performance Monitoring (RPM) 2.0 platform provides freight and transit clients with real-time insight into the performance of their trackside lubricators with a user-friendly interface, company officials said. The RPM 2.0 platform allows customers to continually analyze and compile telemetry taken from existing GPS-enabled trackside units to determine and track friction-management program uptime, as well as update unit locations, officials said.
L.B. Foster also offers the trackside PROTECTOR® X friction-management system. A key feature is the product’s compartment design, which provides a first-in, first-out product utilization system to minimize known issues when switching between seasonal greases, as well as minimizes cavitation, company officials said. The enlarged capacity of the PROTECTOR X system also allows for longer intervals between tank refills.
The company recently conducted field trials of its new top-of-rail product, KELTRACK® Transit EX. Now in the pre-commercial stage, the all-season friction modifier provides extended carry-down capabilities at all operating temperatures while continuing to provide protection in the wheel/rail interface, company officials said. KELTRACK Transit EX is designed with improved film durability, corrosion resistance and a low freezing point.
Renewable Lubricants Inc.’s Bio-Ultimax™ 1000 readily biodegradable, biosynthetic formulas are an environmentally conscious option for railroads and companies that operate machinery such as cranes and mulchers, company officials said. The fluids offer oxidation performance that’s comparable to full synthetics. The nontoxic, zinc-free fluids contain no heavy metals and have a higher viscosity index, improving thermal shear stability and increasing load capacity, company officials said.
Bio-Ultimax 1000 formulas meet U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 21013 Vessel General Permit guidelines for Environmentally Acceptable Lubricants and can be used wherever low-toxicity, biodegradability and/or non-bioaccumulation properties are required, company officials said. The bio-based hydraulic fluids are formulated to perform with anti-wear, anti-rust, anti-oxidation, anti-foam and demulsibility benefits.
Moisture- and rust-inhibiting in both freshwater and seawater, the biosynthetics pass A and B sequences of the ASTM D-665 Turbine Oil Rust Test. Formulated to provide a longer seal life with reduced oil leakage, they also meet high-pressure pump requirements, company officials said.
Lubricheq® RLI-100AW is made with high-quality oils, metallic soaps, extreme-pressure additives and oil-soluble surfactants, providing better lubrication and longer periods between applications compared with graphite options, Cadillac Oil Co. officials said. The product bonds itself to steel surfaces to reduce friction and wear between the base of the switch points and the switch-side plates.
Lubricheq RLI 100-AW provides high-performance lubrication, water washout protection and resistance to buildup, company officials said. Quality-tested to ensure proper viscosity under all temperature conditions, it can be used on all types of railroad switches, as well as other equipment where metal-to-metal friction needs to be reduced. It can be dispensed by pouring, brushing or spraying, and will resist wear and tear under the elements.
Key features include friction reduction to promote smooth switching operations in all weather conditions; low viscosity for easy application and pumping; water wash-off resistance for extended service life; and additive packages for low-wear and high-load carrying, company officials said.
RBL Inc./Robolube recently introduced its new Switch Plate Lubricator (SWPL), which enables the automatic lubrication of switch plates using switch-point actuation — eliminating the need for hand-greasing on turnouts, crossovers and yard switches, company officials said.
Other features include customizable grease output, a 30-gallon heated grease reservoir, long refill intervals and minimal maintenance.
With real-time updates and diagnostics, users can lubricate a wide range of switch plates depending on turnout size and custom requirements. The SWPL can be powered electrically or tie into onsite supply lines or separate tanks, company officials said.
The Type PL Automatic Track Lubrication System is a low-cost means for lubricating single- and double-rail, and single-rail guard track installations, Rails Co. officials said. The system — which consists of a high-pressure pump, an electrical air-control system and a tripper that automatically delivers a measured amount of lubricant — reduces lubricant-handling costs and helps eliminate contamination. The pump comes with a drum cover and hoses for connection to air supply and grease lines.
Lubricant is delivered from the original 110-pound or 55-gallon factory drum directly to the track. As many as 10 separate tracks can be serviced by one pump, company officials said. The air-control system enables an automatic shutoff when the drum is empty, or in case of pipeline failure.
Email comments or questions to grace.renderman@tradepress.com.
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