GD offers a wide range of products that are essential tools in the railway vehicle industry.
Our product portfolio includes a wide variety of cranes used in railway manufacturing and operation, equipment for lifting and moving railway cars, and personnel lifting devices required for manufacturing and maintenance tasks on railway cars.
Cranes for the Railway Industry
Crane technology is a fundamental element of railway manufacturing, as the work often involves handling large and heavy components. Our overhead cranes are suitable for servicing almost all railway facilities, and we also produce specialized cranes designed specifically for railway vehicle repair technologies.
One such innovation is our overhead crane with a rotating jib, capable of extending beneath overhead railway lines (catenary) to reach the car body and perform lifting operations required on the car’s roof.
Lifting and Moving Railway Car Bodies
The lifting and transportation of car bodies and frames during manufacturing and maintenance are critical operations due to their large size and weight. To ensure safe and efficient handling, we have developed lifting-transport carts that operate either on rail tracks or on floor surfaces.
The ESS lifting-transport cart family is designed to operate on standard-gauge tracks, enabling the transport of railway car frames and lifting them to heights of up to 2.0 meters. These units are powered by battery systems and are operated via radio remote control. When using these carts, there is no need for separate lifting equipment to raise the car body, as the cart itself performs the lifting function independently.
The railway-adapted versions of HM-type GD Dollies can move car bodies freely on smooth, load-bearing floors without restrictions. A key feature is their unrestricted movement paths, including the ability to rotate the car body in place (up to 360 degrees) and maneuver along curves of any radius. Optionally, they can be equipped with an integrated lifting mechanism, capable of raising or lowering the car body with a 150 mm stroke.
Personnel Lifting Equipment
A separate segment of our railway industry support equipment includes a range of personnel lifts developed for tasks performed at height during manufacturing and maintenance. We manufacture models that operate on rail tracks, floor surfaces, or dual-mode units capable of both.
These lifts are typically designed with hydraulically operated scissor lifting mechanisms. Their size and design are always optimized for the specific task at hand, resulting in a variety of implementations. We are also prepared to meet any new requirements.
Some personnel lifts are manufactured for use in hazardous environments, making them suitable for explosion-risk areas.
Tailored to Specific Needs
Our equipment is generally designed to serve specific technological tasks, which makes their design and execution highly diverse. A particular specialty of ours is the scissor-lift mechanism used in our lifting platforms, which can achieve lifting heights of up to 8.0 meters.
What types of lifting equipment does GD offer for railway vehicles?
We manufacture various lifting tables designed for both personnel and heavy components used during maintenance and repair of railway vehicles. These include mobile, stationary, and custom-built versions.
What is a group lifting system and what is it used for?
Group lifting systems are designed to lift entire railcars or bogies in a synchronized manner. Depending on the setup, the system can consist of 4 to 32 lifting columns, ensuring safe and precise operations during servicing.
What are the benefits of GD hydraulic pit covers?
Our hydraulic pit covers ensure safe working conditions around inspection pits. They open and close quickly using an electrohydraulic system and feature automatic obstacle detection and mechanical locking for maximum safety.
What is the function of a turntable in rail workshops?
The turntable enables quick and accurate directional changes for railway wheelsets. It is installed flush into the workshop floor and can be manually or motor-driven.
What testing capabilities does the GD bogie test bench provide?
Our bogie testers evaluate wheelbase, axle parallelism, side runout, wheel diameter, suspension characteristics, and load distribution – all before reinstallation into the vehicle.
How does the bogie towing device work?
The bogie towing device is a battery-powered, remote-controlled unit designed to safely move bogies without requiring personnel to be under the vehicle, reducing the risk of workplace accidents.
How maneuverable is the towing device?
The towing unit features stepless speed adjustment and a small turning radius, allowing precise movement even in tight spaces.
What power supply options are available for these systems?
Most devices operate on built-in battery systems or standard 400V industrial power. Some models can be equipped with an uninterruptible power supply (UPS).
Are these devices suitable for hazardous environments?
Yes, many of our lifting tables and personnel lifts are available in Ex-proof versions for use in explosion-risk areas.
Can GD provide fully customized equipment?
Absolutely. Most of our products are tailored to specific tasks in railway vehicle manufacturing or maintenance, ensuring optimal functionality and integration into the customer’s workflow.