[ChainPoint] Trains and Chains...

ChainPoint Connections chainpoint at forestapps.com
Sun Jan 17 08:51:06 EST 2010


Chainsaws and Train Tracks

Or Trains and Chains...

 

By Tim Ard

Forest Applications Training, Inc. 

 

Worldwide transportation of freight, passengers and food all depend on rail
systems connecting North America and connecting countries within other
continents too. 

 

Rails as you probably know have been operational for many decades but, what
happens should storms play havoc along the rails? Could it be, as with many
other disaster cleanup projects, yes the chain saw is a most valuable tool?
Even around train rails the chain saw is one of the first tools acquired by
workers when problems and debris block the tracks. 

 

One tree can mean hours of delay and possibly threaten the life of trains
and their passengers. An improperly cut and placed track tie can mean sure
failure in the line.

 

What are some of the issues with chain saws and operators of major rail
lines? How are they affected by chainsaw, misapplication of it, training,
and or the lack of it? How many dollars are spent on down time in this very
important industry?

 

I recently completed a training course with some Amtrak instructors and I
learned some things I would like to pass along to help you. This team was
awesome!

 

Tie-ing in Sharpening

 

How long does it take to dull a chain? How important is sharpening to a
chain saw operator who has a task of cutting a railroad tie or removing wood
debris after a storm?

 

Railroad ties when fairly new are not too rough on a saw chain but after
they have lain around a few years under a train or near a track they collect
all kinds of good stuff. Sand, rocks, spikes, end caps and rot all become
added abrasion to the saw chain. Sometimes these foreign things are
downright dulling! 

 

We went through the parts of the saw tooth in class. Some comments were that
it is not critical that sharpening be part of an operator's knowledge in the
field. The chains can be sharpened at a shop or replaced. I told them that I
agree with that but if you don't know when the chain is dull, what does it
mean to the operator and eventually the piece of equipment. What does it
mean to productivity and possibly safety? Then we went out to some outside
saw work on some ties.

 

I had them look at their saw and the chain. It was a little damaged I
noticed. I started my saw and made a cut in a tie. Then they tried their saw
and it would hardly dent the tie. Just scratched the surface and smoked.
They were amazed! They had a new chain for their saw and mounted it to
complete the cut. It made a world of difference in the progress. I had told
them I look for about an inch a second progress into the wood if the chain
is sharp and doing its job, if not it's time to stop and sharpen or replace
it with a sharp one.

 

The tie breaker in this session was that the next cut made with their saw,
one cut old new chain, was devastating. The operator made an undercut and
there was a patch of sand or dirt in the exact place he wanted to make the
cut. Soon as he started the cut the new chain stopped cutting - dulled it!
Everyone thought that chain is hard metal and should last through many, many
cuts on the ties or a tree. Not always so, the chains will stay sharp a long
time if not damaged. The majority of the time the sharp edge is not dulled
it is damaged for some reason in the cutting process.

 

So to tie it all together, the operator doesn't have to know how to sharpen
but they must be aware of when it needs to be sharpened. There must also be
a system in place to repair the chains in the field or a supply of new sharp
ones so the tasks can be completed productively and safely. Pushing and
pulling trying to cut with a dulled chain will mean operator inefficiency,
equipment damage and possibly injury. The operator does have to know sharp!


 

All kinds of sharpening systems are available. Once you know the tooth
basics and the results you are expecting, practice!

 

How to Track Mixed Fuel

 

Who buys and stores the fuel supply? Is it fresh, stabilized or just plain
old? Do your operators mix their own fuel? Does a supervisor or shop handle
the fuel mix process? What happens in the field if there's a hole in the
system? How do you productively finish the field task if there is a flaw in
your process? We agreed if there was a properly pre-mixed fuel can supply
available, ready to go, the problem/issue would be solved. There is such a
solution!

 

PPE on a Rail

 

Please be reminded to read your equipment operators manual and follow any
added safety information from the manufacturer, your organization or
company. 

 

Personal Protective Equipment - Hardhats, eye and face protection, hands,
legs, boots and visibility must be considered no matter if you a cutting a
railroad tie or removing debris from a track or debris from your back yard.

 

 

Again, the chain saw is an amazing tool for many tasks and applications.
There are a lot of things to consider. That's why training is so important.
Learn from those around you - seek information, be aware and plan what you
do.  Good Sawing!

 

 

 

See our eStore <http://www.forestapps.com/e-book/eStore.htm>  for items
discussed in all our training programs
<http://www.forestapps.com/program.html>  and articles
<http://www.forestapps.com/news.html> .

 

 

 

 

 

C Copyright 2010 Forest Applications Training, Inc. 

 

 

Good Sawing,

 

Tim Ard

Forest Applications Training, Inc.

 

Phone: 770.222.2511

http://www.forestapps.com 

 

We have an eStore for items  discussed in our programs... eStore
<http://www.forestapps.com/e-book/eStore.htm>  

 

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