NRD-4 Ballast Tamping Machine

NRD-4 Flexible Shaft Ballast Tamping Machine

The NRD-4 Flexible Shaft Ballast Tamping Machine is an internal-combustion tamping tool designed for railway track ballast tamping operations where no external power supply is available. This ballast tamping machine is suitable for the ballast tamping work of various rail track types, including railway turnout (switch) sections.
Application: NRD-4 rail tamping machine supplied from AGICO has the advantages of light overall weight, convenient operation, high tamping quality, low failure rate, easy maintenance, fast track access and removal, and strong adaptability. As a flexible ballast tamping machine, it can be used not only for straight rail track ballast tamping and railroad turnout maintenance, it is one common rail tamper tool for railway ballast maintenance work.

Main Technical Parameters of NRD-4 Ballast Tamping Machine

NRD-4 ballast tamping machine has a compact structure for ballast tamping work, here are the main technical parameters for reference:

Item	Specification
Product Name	NRD-4 Internal Combustion Flexible Shaft High-Frequency Ballast Tamping Machine
Engine Model	GX160 × 2 (Honda)
Rated Power	4.0 kW × 2
Rated Speed	2842 r/min
Vibration Frequency	3000 times/min
Vibration Amplitude	1.2 mm
Main Machine Weight	120 kg

Main Structure of NRD-4 Ballast Tamping Machine

The NRD-4 ballast tamping machine is equipped and powered by GX160 gasoline engines. Each flexible shaft assembly consists of a steel wire flexible shaft, shaft plug (inserted into the output shaft during operation), and hose connector connected to the tamping rod housing. The tamping rod assembly of the tamping machine includes the pick head, pick body, rod housing, rolling cone, raceway, oil seals, and bearings. The anti-vibration handle is installed at the front end of the hose to reduce vibration and improve operational comfort.

The NRD-4 ballast tamping machine is mainly consists of the following components:

• Gasoline Engines
• Centrifugal Clutch
• Belt Transmission Mechanism
• Flexible Shafts and Hoses
• Tamping Picks (Tamping Rods)
• Anti-vibration Handles
• Machine Frame

At delivery, the flexible shaft, hose, anti-vibration handle, and tamping rod are assembled as one unit, so customer doesn’t have to worry about the the installation. The GX-160 engine is fixed at the center of the frame, which is protected with a belt protective cover and lifting handles for easy on-track and off-track handling.

Working Principle of NRD-4 Ballast Tamping Machine

NRD-4 Ballast Tamping Machine Operating Instructions

1. Preparation and Start-up

1. The operator shall conduct all pre-operation inspections strictly in accordance with the engine user manual. The fule oil shall use unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of 90 or above, and SAE 10W-30 engine oil (SG or SF grade) under normal temperatures.
2. Rotate the coupling handle on the ballast tamping machine head to the upright position. Insert the flexible shaft plug into the output shaft hole, insert the coupling joint into the machine head, after coupling handle fall into the arc groove of the joint, press down the handle, and mount the tamping rod onto the frame.
3. Check all insulated parts of the rail tamper machine, tighten all fasteners as well as the transmission belt.

2. Engine Start and Track Access

1. Start the GX160 engine according to the Honda manual:

• Turn the fuel valve to the ON position.
• Set the choke lever to CLOSE (if the engine is cold).
• Move the throttle lever slightly to the left.
• Turn the engine switch to ON.
• Pull the starter grip slowly until resistance is felt, then pull forcefully to start.

2. Lift the NRD-4 ballast tamping machine onto the railroad track. Pull out the single traveling wheel and place the support tube on the opposite rail, then tighten the fastening screw.
3. Remove the tamping rod and lightly tap its front end against the ground. When a high-frequency humming sound is heard, it is ready to be operated for ballast tamping work.

3. Tamping Operation

1. During engine warm-up, gradually move the choke lever to the OPEN position and adjust the throttle to the required engine speed.
2. Tamping operations should be carried out with 2 rail tampers used as a set, which are positioned on both sides of the same rail sleeper. Operators should coordinate movements and apply approximately equal force.
3. Hold the anti-vibration handle and insert the tamping pick diagonally into the ballast. Please don't use force by holding the flexible hose. The minimum bending radius of the hose during operation shall not be less than 250 mm.
4. Do not use the tamping rod to pry rail sleepers or railroad track. Avoid contact between the pick head and rails, rail sleepers (including turnout sleepers), or rail fastener components.
5. During double-track operations, ballast tamping work must be stopped immediately when a train is approaching on the adjacent line.

4. Shutdown and Track Removal

1. Move the throttle lever fully to the right, turn the engine switch to OFF, and turn the fuel valve to OFF. In emergency situations, switching the engine OFF is sufficient.
2. Remove the NXD-4 ballast tamping machine from the track promptly. Insert the tamping rods back into the machine, and four operators shall lift the machine beyond the railway clearance limit to avoid passing trains.
3. When walking along the rail track, retract the single traveling wheel into the support tube and tighten the fastening screw.

This is the standard manual info of NRD-4 Model Ballast Tamping Machine, AGICO also sells other models ballast tamping machines, such as hydralic tamping machine, turnout tamping machine and portable rail tamper, If you are intereted in the price and details, feel free to contact us now!