Macton drop table systems are well-known for their performance and reliability. They are designed to aid in the removal, inspection, maintenance and repair of locomotive truck or single axle wheel set/traction motor combination assemblies. Macton has the experience and capability to custom design a drop table for any service application. Macton drop tables are completely modular for ease of field assembly and maintenance.

 

TYPES OF DROP TABLES

Truck Drop Tables – Macton has full truck drop tables designed to accommodate two and three axle trucks. Full truck drop tables may also have a split service top to accommodate single axle removal. The machine screws in Macton drop tables are positioned behind the lifting columns for protection against debris and damage. The jack nuts are guided and lubricated through the entire stroke to maximize the wear life. The control of the table is through a PLC, which is programmed for automatic operation. The precise positioning of the drop table is automatically monitored, thereby providing the operator with maximum convenience and decreasing the wear and tear on the drive mechanism. Macton drop tables are designed for many years of reliable, safe operation.

Single Axle Drop Tables – Macton single axle drop tables are designed for rapid change out of locomotive combination wheel set and motor assemblies. The drop tables are capable of operating with multiple service tops. Control systems utilize PLC for integration of interlocks to provide maximum operator and machine safety. Automatic lubrication systems maximize lift system component longevity.


BENEFITS

Long-Term Reliability – All of these systems are pre-assembled and tested in our manufacturing facility to ensure that all performance criteria have been met before they are shipped out to our customers. In addition, there is a special focus in the design, engineering and fabrication of these systems to ensure that they continue to run smoothly and reliably day in and day out for the years and decades to come – this has been proven out in the numerous Macton drop tables which have been in service for decades and continue to move smoothly and quietly day in and day out.

Minimal Maintenance Required – These systems require only a minimal amount of routine maintenance each year, which can be scheduled for times when the facility is not normally in operation – as a result, this minimal annual maintenance does not entail operational disruptions or expensive downtime for the servicing of this equipment.

Full Support Throughout Project – Macton provides full support throughout the entire project, beginning with the initial design of the system to be built, during which time Macton’s engineering staff interfaces with the project’s engineers and other professionals to provide the practical assistance and the detailed technical support needed to integrate its equipment into the overall installation. This support includes providing foundational, electrical and control requirements, trim details, data for structural analysis and any other assistance the project requires.

Ease of Equipment Installation – Macton provides a specially-trained field engineer or technician to supervise the installation, start-up and commissioning of its equipment, ensuring that it is brought on-line quickly and delivers the expected performance.

Ongoing Post-Sale Support – Macton also provides long-term spare parts and technical support services. Long-term service contracts are also available at each of these installations for periodic inspection and maintenance programs, as well as training services, as needed. In addition, Macton provides customers with the ability to easily upgrade their control panels, drives and other systems to ensure they reflect the latest in technology.

Standard 5 Year Warranty – The equipment is warranted to be free from defects in material or workmanship for a period of five (5) years from the date it’s shipped from Macton’s facility.  Accordingly, during such 5-year period, Macton will repair or replace any such defective parts or equipment at Macton’s cost (including covering all shipping costs).  If required to trouble-shoot such equipment, Macton will provide the services of an onsite field service engineer, and if any such defects are found to exist, Macton will pay the labor and travel costs of such field service engineer.  This warranty is void if the equipment is installed without supervision by a Macton representative.  This warranty does not cover: (i) water damage, or damage due to chemical corrosion or from dirt or debris on or around the equipment, (ii) any damage caused by improper use or accident, or from the failure to perform the recommended periodic maintenance on the equipment, (iii) normal wear and tear, (iv) portions of the equipment repaired or modified by others without Macton’s prior written approval, or (v) any additional onsite labor, tools or equipment required for the inspection, removal and reinstallation of any parts of the equipment.

 

FEATURES

Service Top – The service top is designed with an elevated rail section for easy access to the locomotive truck assembly. A locking system supports the service top when the drop table carriage is not in position. Lock bars transmit crossover loads to the pit walls so that the drop table carriage is never subjected to this crossover loading.

Traction Motor Dolly – Single-axle service tops may be provided with a traction motor dolly to support and align the traction motor frame during change-out. Large diameter rollers allow the dolly to be easily positioned and a latch mechanism holds the dolly in position. The hydraulic cylinder uses a 110V power pack.

Carriage Drive System – The carriage drive system uses self locking machine screws to raise and lower the drop table. The machine screws are located on the outside of the guide columns (on the opposite side of the service top) and enclosed with a stationary cover for maximum protection from debris and contamination and the vertical travel of the bridge is guided for the entire travel to extend screw and nut wear life. Jack nuts are lubricated via an automatic lubricator.

Release Tops – Release tops are used to cover the area where the dismounted truck or axle is raised through the shop floor. They can be located on one of the shop tracks so the truck can be rolled to a truck repair area. Release tops that are located on a shop track location may be designed to accommodate the rollover load of a locomotive passing through the shop. There are two types of release tops: Bascule Release Top Body Stands Body Stands.

  • Bascule Release Top – The bascule release top opens and closes automatically to load/unload the truck assembly from the drop table. The bascule top provides clear access to the truck or wheel assembly with an overhead crane.
  • Canopy Release Top – With the canopy release, the top raises up out of the floor with the truck or axle under the top. When these tops are located on a shop track, trucks or axles may be placed on top of the canopy top and raised up for easy loading on a flat bed.

Body Stands – Body stands support the locomotive during the truck change-out procedure. The body stand may be moved parallel to the locomotive for easy jacking pad positioning. The body stand support pad be manually raised and extended to ensure proper contact with the locomotive jacking pad.

Operator Controls – These systems utilize PLC control to allow the operator to select the destination of the drop table. Once the travel is initiated, the drop table smoothly accelerates to full speed, travels until the stop is within range, decelerates to a creep speed and stops in position at the center of the selected track. This prevents a high rate of wear associated with the drive train on a drop table operated with only a motor starter that has to be started at full speed and jogged into position. A “lift-free” indicator light signals when the drop table is clear of the service track top. This prevents damage to the drop table by a locomotive traversing the top while still supported by the drop table rather than the service top locking mechanism. Controls allow the drop table racking movement within the top 12 inches of hoist travel to permit easy alignment for replacing wheel sets into the truck. The operator may control the raising, lowering and racking of the drop table from a pedestal-mounted control panel or a hand-held remote control.



CUSTOMER LIST

Customers who Purchased a Macton Drop Table*

AMTRAK, WASH. D.C. IVY CITY YD
50 Ton SINGLE AXLE DROP TABLE

L.I.R.R., QUEENS, N.Y., RICHMOND HILL YD
100 Ton M.S. TRUCK DROP TABLE

NEW JERSEY TRANSIT, KEARNY, NJ
100 Ton M.S. TRUCK DROP TABLE

METRO NORTH, HARMON NY
75 Ton SINGLE AXLE DROP TABLE

CALTRAIN, SAN JOSE, CA
100 Ton M.S. TRUCK DROP TABLE

METRO NORTH, HARMON NY
100 Ton DROP TABLE

AMTRAK, WASH. D.C. IVY CITY YD
75 Ton DROP TABLE

CSX, WAYCROSS GA
50 Ton SINGLE AXLE DROP TABLE

*partial list

AMTRAK, CHICAGO, IL. 12TH ST. YARD
50 Ton SINGLE AXLE DROP TABLE

MBTA, BOSTON, MASS., S & I FACILITY 50 Ton
SINGLE AXLE DROP TABLE MS

U.S. ARMY, TOOLE, UTAH, TOOLE ARMY DEPOT
50 Ton SINGLE AXLE DROP TABLE BS

UNION PACIFIC, N. PLATTE, NEB., DIESEL SHOP
50 Ton SINGLE AXLE DROP TABLE BS LACTC, LOS ANGELES, CA.

TAYLOR YARDS
100 Ton M.S. TRUCK DROP TABLE

UNION PACIFIC, N PLATTE, NEB. DIESEL SHOP
50 Ton SINGLE AXLE DROP TABLE BS

CONN DEPT OF TRANS., HARTFORD, CONN. DIESEL SHOP
50 Ton SINGLE AXLE DROP TABLE

AMTRAK, MIAMI, FL. DIESEL SHOP
50 Ton SINGLE AXLE DROP TABLE

EMD (BN-SF), LOS ANGELES, CAL. COMMERCE
50 Ton SINGLE AXLE DROP TABLE BS

UNION PACIFIC, HOUSTON, TEX. SETTERGEST YARD
50 Ton SINGLE AXLE DROP TABLE BS