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RIP Jacks – Macton rip (repair in place) jacks increase shop productivity and safety by allowing shop personnel to perform maintenance, inspection and repair of rail vehicles that are elevated at a convenient height above the shop floor; the screw jack system is housed inside the guide column for maximum protection; the system utilizes oil bath lubrication improving performance and providing extended screw jack wear life over other lubrication systems, thus reducing repair and maintenance cost and equipment downtime.


For a full list of features and benefits, click on the tabs below.

Maximum Capacity

Maximum load capacity for each system is 150 tons (300,000 lbs), which can be lifted either by the two side jacking assemblies having 75-ton capacity (150,000 lbs each), or by the center jacking assembly which has a capacity of 150 tons (300,000 lbs) (other capacities available – see options below)

General Capabilities

Macton rip (repair in place) jacks increase shop productivity and safety by allowing shop personnel to perform maintenance, inspection and repair of rail vehicles that are elevated at a convenient height above the shop floor; the screw jack system is housed inside the guide column for maximum protection; the system utilizes oil bath lubrication improving performance and providing extended screw jack wear life over other lubrication systems, thus reducing repair and maintenance cost and equipment downtime

Lifting Speed

Approximately 5 feet per minute for lifting vehicles with the side jacks

Lifting Height

The jacks can be raised up to 5.0 feet (60”) above the shop floor (other lifting heights available – see options below)

Reliable Screw Jack Lifting System

Each lift has its own self-locking screw jack driven by an independent gearmotor (system avoids the use of hydraulics, which often require more extensive maintenance)

Vertical Guide Columns

Vertical travel of each lift is guided for the entire travel length by a steel cylindrical guide column to prevent side loads and enhance screw life

Jacking Pad Heads

Each lift has a head to contact the vehicle jack pad; each such head consists of a flat rectangular hard rubber load pad (other jacking pad head configurations available – see options below)

Safety Features

VFD with Encoder Counts – Each jack unit has a variable frequency drive and an absolute multi-turn encoder mounted directly on the motor to maintain synchronous lifting and lowering heights of all of the lift motors in the system. The signals from the variable frequency drive and the encoder are monitored using a network of PLCs located in the pit and in the main control panel. If any of the jack units in the system get out of synch with the others for any reason the entire system will stop and a fault will be indicated. The use of variable speed motors also minimizes power consumption and prevents large in-rush start-up currents by ramping up the gradually motors during the starting process.

Absolute Height Position Sensing – In addition to the encoder system referred to above, upward and downward motion of the lift is also monitored and controlled using an absolute height position sensor that monitors the travel and position of each guide cylinder throughout the entire lifting operation (as well as lowering). The sensor is located on the jack assembly inside the pit to prevent damage and is housed within the caisson for added protection.

Overload Protection – The variable speed drive also will shut down the entire system if one of the motors in the system is experiencing an overload due to mechanical malfunction or an obstacle that is preventing the system from moving.

Warning Lights / Horns – Warning lights and/or horns advise when equipment is in operation

Controls – “Dead-man” type controls make sure controls require constant pressure to operate and Emergency Stop pushbutton shuts down the system when the need arises. The equipment is continuously monitored and remote diagnostics are available to allow a service technician to remotely diagnose issues and upload software updates to the system (customer to provide internet connection or wireless access for this feature)

Automatic Screw Lubrication

Screw and nut assembly are housed in an enclosed guide column and lubricated by means of a continuous oil bath, which results in an extended wear life

Finishes

Steel structures on the system are coated with one coat of rust inhibiting primer followed by a top coat of yellow industrial grade polyurethane enamel

Quick Installation

Each lift is shipped in one piece and then lowered into the pit at the jobsite in one piece as well, allowing for a quick installation (as well as better control of equipment quality)

Lifting Motor Used

A NEMA D electric motor drives the lifting operation of each lift; it uses 480V (or 575V in Canada), three-phase, 60Hz power (other voltages available)

Control System

A Remote Pendant (wireless) with Emergency Stop pushbutton is provided for control as well as a touch screen interface (HMI) on an auxiliary panel with equipment status and fault messages displayed to allow for easier operation and troubleshooting; all enclosures are NEMA 12 rated (embedded conduit/wiring by others); controls use 24V DC power.

Quality Procedures

All materials and work done on the system are carefully monitored under an ISO 9001:2015 certified program and 100% designed and built in our facility in the United States (we don’t reassemble systems built in other countries); all welding is performed in accordance with ANSI/AWS Structural Welding Code D1.1 standards and is inspected and approved by a Certified Welding Inspector qualified under Section 6.1 of the AWS current specification

Pre-Shipment Factory Testing

Each system is fully assembled and operationally tested at the factory prior to shipment – at this time, the owner’s representative may inspect the equipment prior to shipment to confirm the product specifications are met

Installation Supervision, Startup & Training

A factory-trained technician will provide onsite technical supervision of the system during the installation, along with onsite startup, commissioning and one (1) day of training, at no added cost (all field labor and travel costs included in equipment price)

Estimated Install Time

Typically five (5) days, using a three-man work crew for equipment installation (assuming equipment is installed in a new foundation), and one (1) day for start up, testing and training

Warranty Period

5 years – the most extensive warranty in the industry, demonstrating how confident we are in the performance and durability of this equipment

O&M Manual

Operation & Maintenance manual in English provided in electronic format with each system

Different Performance Capabilities

System can be modified to accommodate different load capacities, as well as different lifting heights, speeds and other performance criteria

Pit Dimensions

Different pit depths, widths and lengths are available to accommodate shallow-pit, deep-pit and basement installations as well as other special jobsite requirements

Traversing Center Lift

Center lift can traverse along the pit to accommodate different length rail vehicles within the same rail maintenance facility (which may have different support locations); with this configuration, it comes with sliding pit covers to cover pit openings at all lifting positions

Jacking Pad Heads

If your maintenance facility services more than one type of railcar, with jacking pads in different locations, the system can be modified to have different heads

Control Systems

Additional controller locations and additional spare wireless remote controls available

Shipping

Shipping to jobsite (for shipments within North America, the equipment is shipped via flatbed truck; for shipments overseas, the equipment is sent via standard, 40-foot shipping containers)

Spare Parts; Post-Install Servicing

Spare parts packages available upon request; ongoing inspection and maintenance programs are also available upon request