DMF RW-1016, Parts & Service Manual

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DIVERSIFIED METAL FABRICATORS, INC. RW-1016
© 2017 DMF, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 4-15
4.6.4 Checking & Adjusting Rail Wheel Loads
Rail wheel loads can be determined by use of a bottle jack with an attached pressure gauge.
DMF recommends the use of a DMF 501749 Jack and Pump Assembly (Fig. 4.6.4). Using this
model will allow the gauge to display force directly (PSI gauge = pounds force). If another jack
is used you will need to determine the conversion factor to relate gauge pressure to force.
Figure 4.6.4. Checking rail wheel load
Procedure:
1. Confirm that the truck is at its operational weight, the chassis and rail wheels are in
alignment, and that all 4 tires are properly inflated (85 psi when using DMF wheel
modification kits).
2. Place truck on rail or simulated rails (see Section 4.1.6). Apply parking brake and shut
off engine. If using simulated rail, verify that the rail wheel flange is not touching the
ground. Ensure that none of the rail wheel flanges are riding right up against the rail, as
this may affect weight settings.
3. Place the jack under the Railgear axle tube as close as possible to the rail wheel.
4. Support jack as necessary with wooden blocks so that the distance from the jack to the
axle tube is less than ½” with the jack in the retracted position.
5. Jack up slightly and place a piece of paper between the rail wheel and track.
6. Lower the rail wheel back onto the track.
7. Jack the rail wheel up very slowly while pulling on the paper.
8. When the paper begins to slip out from under the wheel note the gauge pressure.
9. If using the DMF 501749 jack, the reading on the gauge in PSI is equivalent to the rail
wheel load on the adjacent wheel.
10. Repeat this procedure for the remaining rail wheels and note the measured loads.
11. After any adjustments are made repeat this procedure for each wheel.
WHEN CHECKING AND/OR ADJUSTING RAIL WHEEL LOADS,
BOTH FRONT AND REAR RAILGEAR MUST BE IN THE RAIL POSITION.