Macton’s approach to rail vehicle sanding is unique in the industry. Our line of sanding equipment does not have a standard product that utilizes one process for sand transfer and requires a specific predetermined facility design. We recognize that one solution does not address all sanding issues. Macton’s sanding systems are therefore engineered to meet a specific customer’s preferences as well as site requirements, including the facility plan. For this reason, Macton sanding systems may utilize one or more methods of transporting sand in the system including: gravity, pressure, and mechanical conveyance. Macton designs each total system configuration to meet the specific requirements of an application regardless of the method of sand transfer.

 

Pressurized Sanding Systems – Macton sanding products include systems that deliver sand to rail vehicles under pressure. System configurations are designed to meet customer preferences and site conditions. System designs include spot systems for a single sanding location as well as systems with multiple sanding positions. Multiple sanding systems automatically transfer sand from the storage silo to receivers on the service platform. Systems are available with vacuum collection at the sanding location for dust containment. Sand storage silos are available in capacities from 30 to 100 tons. Silos are equipped with dust filters, filling systems, and level monitoring for low level warning and overfill protection.

Tower Sanding Systems – Macton sand towers are available in many configurations to suit customer preferences and site specifications, with sand storage capacity ranges from 10 to 40 tons of sand. The tower can be supplied with 1 to 4 sanding spouts each controlled by electric winch, incorporating a backup safety device to control the spouts. Towers are equipped with filters to contain dust as well as a sand level monitoring system for low-level warning. Optional stairs, lighting and platforms are available for safe locomotive access by service personnel. Each tower is equipped with OSHA approved caged ladders and platforms with railings.

Crane Sanding Systems – Macton offers a variety of sanding cranes designed to deliver traction sand to locomotives at high volume for maximum efficiency. Crane systems are the safest method available for sanding locomotives on multiple tracks. Operators ride in a cab suspended from the crane, which eliminates potential falls resulting from climbing on locomotives. Sand crane systems can be designed to span multiple tracks for service of locomotives in a large area, with sand storage silos designed to suit site requirements. Sand transfer from the silo to the crane is fully automatic. Cranes can be installed under canopies as well as to be free standing.

Indoor Sanding Systems – These systems may use both pressure and gravity sand transfer processes for sand delivery. Sand may be stored in a silo located outside of the maintenance facility. Sand from the storage silo is pumped by a transporter to sand bins mounted to the inside of the maintenance facility. Sand flow from the storage silo to each bin is performed automatically on demand. Each bin is equipped with sanding spouts that attach to swivel valves. With the sand spout lowered, sand flows from the bin to the locomotive sand box via gravity through a hose and nozzle.

Portable Sanding Trailer and Silo – The Macton portable sanding system provides convenience and flexibility when adding sand to a locomotive that is away from service/maintenance facilities, or as an addition to an existing sanding system. The Macton portable sanding system is mounted on a trailer that can be pulled by a truck. The sanding system may be charged using the locomotive’s air supply or with an optional air compressor. With the help of a sanding wand and the remote pneumatic control, the operator is free from holding the sand hose during the fill-up, and the entire sanding process is reduced to simple push-button operations. Designed for convenient and reliable operation, the Macton sanding trailer and optional storage silo are built to be the most rugged, reliable and easy-to-use unit of any system available. Please visit the page for the Portable Sanding Trailer.

BENEFITS

Long-Term Reliability – Macton locomotive sanding systems have been in service for decades and move smoothly and quietly day in and day out for years – in fact, to our knowledge, none of these systems has ever failed to operate within the specified design criteria where proper minimal maintenance was performed.

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.

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.