HY-RAIL® Units

HR4500 Series A HY-RAIL® Guide Wheel Attachment

Skip Navigation LinksHome > HY-RAIL® Units > HR4500 Series A


HR4500 Series A HY-RAIL® Guide Wheel Attachment

Harsco Rail's HR4500 Series A HY-RAIL® guide wheel attachment is used to adapt heavy-duty, chassis-cab trucks and similar vehicles, that meet Harsco Rail's recommended vehicle specifications for highway and railway applications.

The HR4500 Series A unit is for rear position installation and may be used in conjunction with other Harsco Rail front units.

This unit features a self-centering, true side-shift mechanism that enables the operator to place a vehicle "on-rail" even when the rear of the vehicle is out of position. The unit is also equipped with the proven Harsco Track Technologies adjustable coil spring suspension for a smooth ride under various load conditions and the security of continuous guide wheel contact with the rail through road crossings, turnouts and crossover.

Manual raise/lower valves located at the unit allow the operator to verify proper alignment of guide wheels into the proper "on-rail" position.

Mounting brackets are specifically designed for each approved vehicle model to make installation easier and assure mounting integrity. Available are optional air-actuated, tread-type brakes with composition shoes and optional fixed rail sweeps.

Lever-released, positive mechanical locks hold the guide wheels in the highway and rail positions.

Like all HY-RAIL® guide wheel units, HR4500 Series A units are manufactured with proven HTT quality methods such as non-destructive evaluation of critical parts using x-ray and / or ultrasonic methods to assure reliable service.

HR4500 Series A HY-RAIL® Guide Wheel Equipment Specifications

  • Compatible Vehicles: Heavy-duty chassis-cab trucks with single or tandem rear axles
  • WEIGHT CLASS
    • GAWR - Rear Axle: Up to 50,000 lbs. (22,680 kg) Maximum
  • Guide Wheel Units
    • Construction: Fabricated steel unit - welded and bolted construction
    • Attachment to Vehicle: Universal rear unit bolts to vehicle's chassis rails-multiple, standard spaced mounting holes enable adjustment of unit mounting for frame height and vehicle load
    • Rail Wheels: Austempered ductile iron precision machined
    • Tread Diameter: 16.00 in. (406.4 mm)
    • Flange Diameter: 18.09 in. (459.4 mm)
    • Wheel Bearings: Heavy-duty, tapered roller
    • Brakes: Available - Air-actuated, tread type, w/single Cobra composition brake shoe on each rail wheel
    • Safety Locks: Positive mechanical lock-locked in highway and rail positions. Lock release lever secured by a safety pin.
    • Derail Skids: Built-in - Standard
    • Rail Sweeps: Available - Bolt on, manually actuated
    • Raise/Lower Actuation: Hydraulic, double-acting cylinders with manual control valve located near unit
  • Weight & Dimensions
    • Unit: 1,650 lbs. (748.4 kg) installed
    • Track Gauge: 56.5 in. (1435 mm) - Standard
  • Load Capacity
    • Per Guide Wheel: 25,000 lbs. (11,340 kg) maximum load
    • REQUIRED AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT
    • Steering Lock: Steering column mount - manual actuation on steering wheel
    • Mounting Brackets: Designed for each approved
    • and Spacers: vehicle model
  • Hydraulic System Requirements
    • Flow Range: 5 - 8 gpm (18.9 - 30.2 lpm)
    • Operating Pressure: 1,800 psi (124.1-bar) Maximum

Click this link for a PDF version of this brochure