Below is an example of the benefit of using a Vaccum Machine to clean away the contimated ballast. To clean this bridge usually the rail was cut at both ends, unclip all the rail, then remove the rail, followed by all the sleepers, then remove all the contimated ballast, relay all the sleeper, reposition the rail, reclip the rail, weld the rail back into the existing rail at each end, Ballast is then dropped onto the bridge followed by several runs with a Tamper relift to the correct geomety. Once completed and re-open the given area has a speed restriction for the next following days.

Where as when doing the same job using a Industrail Rail Vacuum Machine the contimated ballast is extracted from around the sleepers and rail, and using ballast bags to support the track. Once completed the ballast is dropped and the track is Tampered (less than the original method). The track re-opened without speed restriction.

Using the Industrial Rail Vacuum Machine less machinary was needed and much less man powered without causing speed restriction hence saving a large amount of Track Maintenaces Budget money.

When using vacuum to remove unwanted waste materials the integrity of structures is not interfered with as no physical connection between the vacuum pipe and the structure needs to occur.

Spot maintenance at locations of the track structures from where the ballast is either contaminated or degradation of the ballast has reached the levels that will not sufficiently support the track. By using vacuum the ballast can be removed from these areas, allowing fresh ballast to be re-instated without the need for any large rail equipment. This can be achieved with the need of only 2 people and an Industrial Vacuum Machine followed by a Tamper Machine to realign the Track Geometry.

Switches play an integral part of the railway, failure of these operating correctly can lead to a train or carriage derailment which can be very costly in both rectifying the problem but also the cost of disturbance to regular train scheduling. Vacuum can quickly clean any excess debris for easy maintenance or remove any degraded ballast.

When Vacuuming of the track is required not only is the crib area cleaned but all the ballast under the Sleeper itself can be removed, and this is the area where the ballast is usually most degraded.

Industrial Vacuum Machines can be operation both on and off track. Because most Vacuum Machines are mounted onto trucks, Hi Rail equipment can be fitted to allow access the track. This permits the operator to position the Vacuum Machine to its easiest working position. Sometimes the off track option allows longer access to the track when the windows of opportunity to carry out spot maintenance are short before a train requires to pass. Instead off moving on and off to the nearest siding or crossroad the vacuum turret can be moved clear of track for the train to pass then position back once the train has passed.

With the design of all our Industrial Rail Vacuum Machines our filtration system are designed to comply with the Department of Environment and Conservation standards, so no dangerous chemical dust particles are blown into the atmosphere, thus preventing inhaling of toxic particles whilst operating the Vacuum Machine and the people within the work environment.

Since the amount of vacuum can be controlled by the operator, this makes it easier to remove contaminates from the ballast without removing the ballast stones at the same time. This can prove beneficial when dirt sediment has layered itself on top of the ballast stones preventing water from draining through, the vacuum can be used to remove the layer of dirt sediment, allowing the water to drain correctly.  

Keeping drains in marshalling yards clean are essential from preventing flooding in low lying areas. Not only does this prevent flooding in the yard it also prevents flooding from building rooftops.  When it rains the water collection form surface area of the roof flows into gutters, which drains away into the down pipes, which are connected into the drain network, so when the drains are blocked the water on the building rooftops can not flow anywhere but overflow out of the gutters or through the roof.

Vacuum can be used at the location of Level Crossing as these areas fill up from dirt being deposited as vehicles pass over, this build up of dirt can prevent the Level Crossing from locating correctly and potentially derail a train or carriage due to the build up of dirt on the inside of the rail not allowing the rail wheel to locate correctly on the track.  The other issue this causes is once the dirt fills the void between the rails and crossing panels, and when the dirt is moist, this induces corrosion to rail and fastenings.  This potentially causes premature failure at the location of the Crossing and hence increases the chance derailment.

Areas around the R.O.M pad easily fill up with small crushed rock that can become both a safety hazard and obstructive to running the Crusher Mill to its full potential. Smaller extension hoses can be fitted to the Vacuum Machine to access the harder to reach spots to clean up the excessive material.

Clean up around Port Loading areas is essential upkeep, with conveyors running most of the day, fine particles of Ore are bound to fall over the side naturally and with normal air flow. This build up makes areas dangerous for employees and adds extra wear and tear to drive mechanisms Ore carrying of the conveyors.

Ore Car Dumper areas will suffer with dirt, dust and small crushed rock from the constant emptying 24 hours, 7 days a week which becomes a workplace hazard for personnel working at these locations. Also the build up of dirt around the mechanisms that turn the Ore Carts will reduce the efficiency of operation and shorten the overall life of the equipment. Regular cleaning of these areas will prevent mechanism from being restricted and make maintenance to the equipment easier to undertake.

Heavy rain, flash floods, cyclones or rain depressions can cause flooding anywhere either out on the track route or in the marshalling yard in the lower lying ground levels. This flooding can cause a safety hazard to a work area or could give false indication of a train on track due to short from the water. A Vacuum Machine can be taken quickly to the location and suck up the water, which thousands of litres can be removed within minutes without the need to setup any dewatering pumps.

Due to the design of the JD Rail Vacuum Machine it can be fitted to a range of vehicles, this gives an option to for example to have a highway type vehicle or a rough terrain vehicle to access bushy areas next to the track. Vacuum Machines can be built to suit the task for which they need to do.