Patent ID: 6546876
Filing Date: 2003-04-15
Classification: E01B

Abstract:
A mobile tamping machine for tamping ballast under a railroad, comprising:(a) a machine frame defining a longitudinal axis and supported on undercarriages for travel on a main track in an operating direction; (b) a tamping unit mounted on the machine frame between the undercarriages; (c) a track lifting and lining unit, vertically and transversely adjustably mounted on the machine frame immediately ahead of the tamping unit in the operating direction, for leveling and lining the main track; (d) drive means for vertically and transversely adjusting the track lifting and lining unit; (e) an auxiliary lifting unit, mounted on the machine frame, for lifting a branch track branching off the main track at a track switch; and (f) a measuring system, operatively connected to both the track lifting and lining unit and the auxiliary lifting unit, for controlling a lifting of the track switch, said measuring system including a mechanical measuring device, which connects the track lifting and lining unit to the auxiliary lifting device and is extendible in a direction transversely to the longitudinal axis of the machine frame, and a measuring sensor, wherein the mechanical measuring device is a cable, and the measuring sensor is a rotary potentiometer operatively connected to the cable.