Tie Changer Machine - Official Work Thread

[Bill Baskerville]

Mike, thanks for the update. Hooray for ROWMOW mfg! We are in good hands now.  In no time at all Joe and his minions will be knocking out old ties and sliding in new ones.

[Jeff Schumaker]

Looking forward to seeing things as work progresses.

Jeff S.

[Wayne Laepple]

As I have noted previously, this machine was designed to pull out and push in standard gauge ties and even long switch timbers. It will have no trouble at all with our short ties. In fact, I think it would be able to use a new tie to push the old tie out the opposite side. The main things to do prior to pulling the old tie are  (a) dig away any ballast at the end of the tie and (b) drag a pick along each side of the tie to loosen the compacted ballast a bit. And it will only take a few seconds to clean out the tie crib enough to push the new tie through. The whole point of this machine is to reduce the hand labor and effort required to remove the old tie and place the new one.

[Mike Fox]

Plugging away when I can, I have finally removed the 2 axle stubs, made new frame members, fitted the axles into the drilled holes in the new frame, and attached one frame member to the machine. I took picture, but something got lost in the upload. One picture I uploaded came out showing my boots (not in the pic I uploaded), one showed just part of what I took a picture of, and another was not what I really wanted to show. So, here are the best ones of the ones I took today. Another 2 hours or so and the frame will be in good shape.

One thing I did notice is a cylinder is leaking. I will look up the seals and see if I can get them fixed.. They look easy to do luckily..



New frame members..


Fitting the axle stubs


One axle installed..I put the wheel on for the picture..

[Jeff Schumaker]

Thanks for posting the photos, Mike.

Jeff S.

[Bill Baskerville]

Great progress Mike. The track gang of gandy dancers are pleased I am sure.

[ALAIN DELASSUS]

Thanks for the photos Mike. As usual things are coming along fast on the WW&F.

[Dag Bonnedal]

Just as comparison.
Here is an home built 2 ft, tie changer in action:
http://museijarnvagenimariefred.se/slipersbyte-21-nov/

and after some maintenance work with a new cylinder and some paint:
http://museijarnvagenimariefred.se/onsdagsarbete-i-verkstaden-16-jan-2019/
bottom of blog post.

[Mike Fox]

I do what I can when I can..
A few hours this morning before the snow..


Prepared where the new frame will go (saw horses at a little over 2 feet apart)






You can't always use wire feed.. Had a tight spot to get. I did ok..



There is still about an hour of work to go. I need to remove all the engine oil I put in, saving it to put back in, and roll the machine to weld the bottom in a couple of spots. I don't care to weld overhead. Splatter and burns.. Then wash it.
I did install some gussets above the new frame members.

[Mike Fox]

Dag, that is very innovative. Thank you for sharing that.

[Richard Johnson]

looks like a lot of overhang on one side. how is the weight balanced on the rail?

[Mike Fox]

The working head weighs a lot. When attached (after welding) it will make the machine more ballanced. I need to attach it for an overall picture, then it will be evident.

[Wayne Laepple]

The gussets will really help stiffen things up. That was a good idea.

[Bill Baskerville]

Mike, you’re really doing a great job, and quickly also. I can’t wait to see the final product this SWW.

[Mike Fox]

Wayne, I wanted sonething even beefier, but could not pull it off due to clearance. Not visible is the 1/2" x 3" bar that is under the tanks, that is welded to the end of the new frame members. I have 1 more idea that I may do. It will just add more rigidity..