Automatic coupler repair bench

The bench is designed for disassembling, repairing and assembling the automatic coupler assemblies of freight cars in the coupler section of a depot. It handles mounting and tilting of the coupler body, removal and installation of the coupling mechanism parts, gauge checks, and compression of the draft gear for disassembly and assembly of the yoke.

The coupler body is placed shank-first into the tilter clamp and secured. An electromechanical drive rotates the body about its longitudinal axis and locks it in any position, giving access to the pocket and mechanism parts from both sides. The draft gear is placed into the receiving seat of the press; the hydraulic cylinder compresses it until the follower plate is released, after which the gear is removed from the yoke or assembled with it.

The bench consists of a welded frame, a rotating clamp with a worm gearbox, a hydraulic press with a receiving seat, a hydraulic power unit and a control panel. The press zone is guarded and the compression operation uses two-hand control. On request the bench is supplied with a rotary table for hardfacing, a set of inspection gauges and an overhead manipulator for loading the coupler body.