Patent ID: 8365673

Claim:
A machine for collecting tie plates strewn along a rail bed, comprising: a frame adapted for travel along a railroad in a forward direction; a pickup drum rotatably supported by the frame and extending over a portion of the rail bed, the pickup drum having magnetic properties such that ferrous objects that include tie plates and other objects strewn along the rail bed portion are attracted toward the pickup drum; a top drum rotatably supported by the frame and disposed at a location that is higher and forward of the pickup drum, wherein the top drum is arranged to rotate about an axis that is parallel to an axis of rotation of the pickup drum; an endless conveyor arranged to circulate around the pickup and top drums; a separation drum disposed between the pickup drum and the top drum along an ascending portion of the endless conveyor, wherein the separation drum is arranged to generate a magnetic force that is strong enough to attract the other objects but not the tie plates disposed on the ascending portion, thus separating the tie plates from the other objects.