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[quote]QUOTE: Originally posted by Overmod BNSF has indicated that their crane uses a combination of ultrasonic sensing and "redesigned lift components". They also worked with Arvin Meritor to design a means of lifting air-ride trailers without tearing the bags up -- I'm currently trying to find technical information on both these approaches. I believe some of these cranes are in service in south Memphis so I may be able to find out something more direct in a day or so. Presumably all that's required is a better system of locating or distributing the lifting force. I can think of two approaches offhand: 1) Spreader with one side going to the bogie/suspension, or to the rails used by a sliding bogie, and the other side going to the kingpin area; this supports the trailer at the points it's designed to be supported in road service; 2) Web sling, with multiple padded slings under the trailer body. This is easier to make 'one-size-fits-all' but would be a bit more complex and labor-intensive to fit. Having a set of sensors that would detect developing strains in the trailer body, and giving an operator or equipment the appropriate feedback signals to keep things aligned during the lift, swing, etc. goes a long way toward making TOFC with unreinforced trailers a workable proposition... It also neatly leverages technology in the name of lower effective tare weight. [/quote] I guess now the only hurdle left is a way to lift the 2nd and 3rd trailers of a typical double and triple trailer combination. With respect to the B-train type trailer combo, which uses the kingpin/5th wheel connection for all trailers, I don't see how regular second and third trailers can be utilized with this new straddlecrane innovation and the typical spine cars or well cars with 5th wheel hitches. These trailers would need some kind of link and pin system to hook up to the trailer's drawbar, or a typically labor intensive lashing system to secure them to the flatcar's deck. I still think a ro-ro system is the only way to effectively piggyback these trailers.
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