Operator’s Manual
© Copyright 2018 - Rail-Ability Limited
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Conversion
If trailers are interconnected with those of other manufacturers, the braking requirements of the
complete system should be checked for compatibility. Ensure total towed load does not exceed that
permitted for the towing vehicle.
Release park brake and move trailers to establish that the park brakes have released.
The service brakes will be applied when the road-rail vehicle brake pedal is depressed. Light pedal
pressure results in low pressure in the trailer brakes, high pedal pressure increases pressure to the
trailer brakes and may cause the wheels to lock.
The combined outfit is now ready for use.
Apply parking brake and stop engine before disconnecting brake hoses.
Air Reservoirs:
1. Trailers fitted with air tanks can be used with the host machine approved for towing within the
limitations of the machine towing capability.
2. Trailers without air tanks fitted usually require 25 litres of air reservoir capacity each from the
host machine supply. In this case 100 litres of air capacity is required from the host machine,
so it has air reservoir capacity for trailer brakes, on up to 4 trailers that do not have air
reservoirs fitted and additional trailers that do have air reservoirs.
[WARNING]
BRAKE LINES ON TOWING MACHINES WITHOUT AIR RESERVOIRS WILL
PHYSICALLY INTERCONNECT TO TRAILERS WITHOUT AIR RESERVOIRS! THIS MUST NEVER
BE DONE. THE BRAKING SYSTEMS, IN PARTICULAR THE SERVICE BRAKING SYSTEM, WILL
NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY AND BRAKE PERFORMANCE WILL BE SEVERELY IMPAIRED.
14 Towing Procedures
1. When towing only travel at 10mph / 16km/h or below.
2. Ensure that the trailer is never overloaded
3. Ensure the towing vehicle is approved for towing the trailer type required.
4. Ensure the load the machine is certified to tow is not exceeded. Never exceed the accepted
towing weight limit.
5. Make sure that loads are secure.
6. Total combined weight of trailer(s) and load(s) should not exceed the allowable maximum
trailing specified on the machine’s engineering acceptance certificate. This must not exceed
three trailers at each of the towing vehicle.
[WARNING]
EXTRA CARE AND OBSERVATION OF LINE SIDE AND OVERHEAD STRUCTURES
IS REQUIRED WHEN THE TRAILER IS CARRYING A LOAD THAT IS OUTSIDE THE TRAVEL
GAUGE IN ANY WAY.
14.1 Brake Status
Confirm that the park brakes are released before travel along the track. Trailer brakes will take
different amounts of time to release depending on the trailer braking systems and number of trailers.
14.2 Trailer Break Away Detection
The towing vehicle has park brake air flow sensing break away detection systems fitted.
