Bending machines

Tongue bending device

This device is used when it is necessary to bend back tongues damaged by moving wheels (tongue impact). The close fitting of the stock rail on the tongue rail is a prerequisite for the turnout to be safely run over with the permitted speed. 

  • use with all common flat bottom rails
  • operation by one person is possible
  • pressure build-up by means of a hand-pump
  • high mobility on the track
  • bending forces up to 250 kN
Turnout tongue straightening device
Turnout tongue straightening device
© Robel Bahnbaumaschinen GmbH

Rail bending device

If rails must be straightened or bent back due to wear related deformations, this is done with the rail bending device (up to 60 kg/m in the y-direction). The rail claws are interchangeable. As a result, it is possible to use the unit even with grooved rails. The monitoring of the bending pressure by a pressure gauge is optionally possible.

  • compressive force 550 kN by hydraulic cylinder
  • support of the withdrawal by spring force
  • easy application

This maintenance measure is frequently necessary for joints that cause an edge in the track between two rails.

The rail bending device is frequently used for joints that cause an edge in the track between two rails.
The rail bending device is frequently used for joints that cause an edge in the track between two rails.
© Werner Schachner
Hydraulic rail bending press
Hydraulic rail bending press
© Robel Bahnbaumaschinen GmbH

You can find suitable specialist literature to the topic here:

The Basic Principles of Mechanised Track Maintenance

The Basic Principles of Mechanised Track Maintenance

This book is dedicated to the many people involved in the day to day planning and performance of track maintenance activities. Providing a practical approach to everyday challenges in mechanised track maintenance, it is not just intended as a theoretical approach to the track system. 
Railways aim at transporting people and freight safely, rapidly, regularly, comfortably and on time from one place to another. This book is directed to track infrastructure departments contributing to the above objective by ensuring the track infrastructure’s reliability, availability, maintainability and safety – denoted by the acronym RAMS. Regular, effective and affordable track maintenance enable RAMS to be achieved.