ESS Lifting-Transport Unit for Railway Vehicle Manufacturing and Repair (ESS)

The ESS lifting and transport unit developed by GD Gép és Daru Kft. offers a high-performance, reliable, and safe solution for the complex material handling tasks in railway vehicle manufacturing and maintenance. This equipment is specifically designed for the precise and secure vertical and horizontal movement of railway car bodies – the vehicle frames – during the manufacturing, maintenance, and repair processes.

Versatile Functions – Lifting, Transporting, and Transitioning

The ESS lifting and transport unit has three main functions that ensure full coverage of the complex material handling tasks encountered in railway vehicle manufacturing:

• Lifting: The unit is capable of vertical movement of the railway car body within a range of 800 mm to 1900 mm from the rail crown. This range enables the precise lifting of the vehicle frame for tasks such as assembly or inspection.
• Transporting: The horizontal movement of the car body occurs at a height of 800 mm, ensuring smooth and safe transportation between different working positions, even between assembly stations.
• Transitioning: The unit can move in its folded state (approximately 450 mm in height), allowing quick transitions between different work positions, optimizing operational time, and reducing downtime.

Sophisticated Motion Control – Precise and Safe Operation

The ESS unit features two main movement forms, both powered by electric drives:

• Vertical movement (lifting and lowering): Controlled by an electrohydraulic system with a single-speed, synchronized movement, independent of the load size. This guarantees outstanding stability and safety, especially for heavy loads.
• Horizontal movement (straight-line progression): Powered by a motor drive with a two-speed mode, which can be adjusted flexibly for transport tasks, even for long-distance movements.

Two Machines, One System – Synchronized Operation

The system consists of two self-propelled, electrohydraulically driven units, designed to operate on standard gauge railway tracks. Each unit has its own battery, hydraulic power unit, and undercarriage, enabling fully independent operation while maintaining synchronized functionality.

The control is done via a radio remote control, providing the operator with convenient, safe, and precise control. Continuous radio frequency communication between the two units ensures perfect coordination during the lifting and transport processes. The central control cabinet and radio receiver are located on one of the units, making the system compact yet efficient.

Main Advantages of the ESS Lifting and Transport Unit:

• Specifically designed for railway car bodies
• Wide lifting range (800–1900 mm)
• Horizontal movement at 800 mm height
• Easy transition in folded state (450 mm height)
• Electric and hydraulic self-sufficiency for both units
• Controlled lifting with load-independent operation
• Radio remote control with synchronized operation