All about winches, capstans and winch systems 22/07 Contents ROTZLER System in Recovery Vehicles Steam train nostalgia in Winches and CAN Bus Technology for UK Support Vehicle Program Switzerland 2 Master Control panel How to fold up a bridge using A further important element of HK winches Rotzler’s solution for monitoring all system functions is an integrated master control panel with a touch screen that can be operated from outside the vehicle. This panel sup- ports the operator and service personnel during trouble shooting operations by providing important technical data in real time. This During an on-site presentation at the A CAN bus-based communication makes it possible to quickly locate 3 Steinen plant, the Rotzler workforce system connects all individual and solve any possible problems, gathered information about an un- subsystems. These include Rotzler more rapidly prepare the vehicle for Greater efficiency at the usual project involving an impressive winches as well as further recovery operational deployment and increase construction site recovery vehicle which is being equipment such as the EKA recovery vehicle availability in general. tested at Rotzler as part of a major device and a Terex Atlas crane. The Coupled with excellent hardware contract. The recovery vehicle is one specialized pulling winches TREIB- components, all of which are variant of a bigger vehicle contract, MATIC TR 200 and TREIBMATIC TR perfectly integrated into an won by MAN ERF UK Ltd. The UK- 080 have been integrated to act as outstanding truck, the advanced based company EKA Ltd. is respon- recovery and self recovery winches operation concept of this vehicle, sible for the recovery vehicle based and the rope pay out of the main which is supported by the consistent on the MAN chassis. EKA developed recovery winch (TREIBMATIC TR use of CAN Bus technology in and designed the top hamper, but 200) is supported and accelerated combination with a second-to-none will also be responsible for building by a Rotzler HZ 010 pulling winch. software management and support 4 the vehicles. In addition EKA pro- The recovery crane features a concept, make it the most advanced vides one of the core components of Rotzler TITAN TC 5 hoisting winch. recovery truck worldwide. Training course at the Carinthian this truck, i.e. the recovery device. The subsystems have been fitted State Firefighting School The presentation involved a demon- with Rotzler’s new digital controller, Scope of supply stration of Rotzler’s scope of supply which was specifically developed to and functions for this vehicle. The suit such and similar demanding Main winch integrated recovery, lifting and applications in harsh environments. ROTZLER TREIBMATIC TR 200 auxiliary winches as well as the CAN All the recovery equipment can be winch – 250 kN bus-based digital controllers and easily operated using Rotzler’s Recovery winch operating panels represent core ergonomically designed RCP-MS ROTZLER TREIBMATIC TR 080 components of the truck. For this 2/6FP multifunctional remote con- winch – 80 kN project, the scope of which covers trol. The RCP-MS 2/6FP differs Auxiliary winch 5 fitting a large number of vehicles, from conventional control panels ROTZLER HZ 010 winch – Rotzler has developed a tailor-made mainly due to its low weight, a large 8 kN (on top layer) Exhibition calendar 2008 system concept that takes the LCD display and its clear, menu- Crane winch 5 complex hydraulic, electronic and supported navigation. These features ROTZLER TITAN TC 5 winch application-specific requirements of bring many user benefits and (on TEREX ATLAS crane) – Farewell after 50 years these recovery vehicles into account. make the RCP a highly useful tool. 43 kN (on top layer) at Rotzler Rotzler digital controller 6 Rotzler remote control High-octane job starters Rotzler monitoring system 6 with NEXUS II Software Hydraulic main manifold with integrated sensor equipment and safety valves TREIBMATIC TR 200 and TITAN TC 5 TREIBMATIC TR 080 and HZ 010 ReportReport Steam Train Nostalgia in the Swiss Alps Furka Cogwheel Steam Railway landscape left in the glacier’s place quickly changes its appearance and provides a new habitat for Alpine flora and fauna. History of the Furka Steam Railway The exhibition at the historical Hotel Belvedère near the Furka Pass shows photographs that chart the history of the Furka railway, which was found- ed in 1913. The construction of the bridges, via- ducts and tunnels was considered to be a pio- neering feat of railway technology at the time. The line was electrified in 1942 and the Swiss steam engines found a new home in Vietnam. However, a number of them were subsequently fetched back to Switzerland and are now in operation again on the Furka steam railway line. When the Furka base tunnel was finally opened, it enabled year-round operation of the line. As a result, the Furka Pass route lost importance and was finally discontinued. Thanks to the effort of numerous steam train enthusiasts, a registered society and public company dedicated to saving the Furka mountain steam railway were founded in 1983. The impassioned commitment of a large number of volunteers is continuing to ensure that white steam clouds can still be seen billowing over the The steam trains run on the Furka mountain line from June till September – crossing the Steffenbach bridge. tracks today. Due to the risk of avalanches, the steam railway is only open for passenger trips Switzerland is a country of many attractions and Bridge” on the following page.) The train continues from the end of June to September. The Furka this issue of INFORM features a report about very its ascent through blossoming Alp meadows right cogwheel steam railway company (Dampfbahn special Swiss treat: the Furka cogwheel steam up to the highest station in Furka (at 2,160 meters Furka-Bergstrecke AG) provides many interesting railway (DFB) in the Swiss Alps. above sea level). The Furka Pass connects the offers and further attractions for anyone who Swiss cantons of Uri and Valais and also forms the interested in going on this unforgettable steam train Retracing James Bond’s Steps on route along which the European watershed runs adventure. Detailed information can be obtained from: a Steam Train between the North and the Mediterranean Seas. Coincidentally, the fantastic landscape also im- If you’re keen on getting a first-hand impression of pressed the film industry and a number of scenes Dampfbahn Furka-Bergstrecke AG a magnificent landscape with ravines, glaciers and in the James Bond movie, ‘Goldfinger’, were shot P.O. Box 141 breathtaking panoramas, a ride on one of DFB’s at the Furka Pass in 1964. Today, these scenes are 6490 Andermatt, Switzerland nostalgic steam trains is a must. With a blow of considered to be classics of Bond film history. Yet Phone: + 41 (0)848 000 144 the whistle, the steam train begins its back to the Furka steam train. After a Fax: + 41 (0)55 619 30 39 journey at Realp station in Urn, which brief stop, the trains steams through E-mail: [email protected] is situated 1,420 meters above sea the 1,874-meter Furka Tunnel towards www.furka-bergstrecke.ch level. At a leisurely pace, the train Valais. As the train makes its way then climbs up to one of the highlights along the down the mountain on a gradient of up to 118 ‰, 18 kilometer route: the famous bascule bridge passengers enjoy a clear view of an incredible over the fast-flowing Steffenbach stream. Due to spectacle of nature and technology in between the the prevailing danger of winter avalanches, this snow-covered peaks: the Rhône glacier. Some bridge is taken down, or rather ‘folded up’, in 10,000 years ago, the Rhône glacier was the October of each year. In May, during the spring longest Alpine glacier at more than 300 kilometers snowmelt, the bridge is then ‘unfolded’ again. The in length. However, this has changed dramatically folding mechanism of the Steffenbach bridge is in the course of time. In the last 400 years alone, probably unique in the world. (Read more about the glacier has melted over a stretch of more than it in “How to Fold Up a two and a half kilometers. However, the barren Inauguration of Realp’s new station in the summer of 2007 The Steffenbach bridge is “folded up” during the winter (1,420 meters above sea level). months due to the danger of avalanches. 2 How to Fold Up a Bridge ROTZLER HK 075 winches used on the famous Steffenbach bridge Bridges fascinate people all over the world. There avalanche damage after the first two conventional are countless famous examples of outstanding bridge designs (1913 and 1915) actually collapsed bridge designs like the Golden Gate, Rialto, or were damaged so badly that the track became Öresund, Pont Neuf, and Bosporus I – names that unusable. The Swiss civil engineer Rudolf Dick just about everyone is likely to have heard or read therefore designed a broadly spanned steel at some point in their lives. A further example of construction without any pylons to be constructed Folded down middle section of the Steffenbach bridge. consummate bridge building to add to the list is in the streambed. The design was intended to give the Steffenbach bridge on the Furka cogwheel avalanches the smallest possible area of attack. steam railway line in Switzerland. INFORM found The three-section bridge was constructed so that Technical Data: Technical Data: out just what makes this bridge so special. it could be dismantled in autumn and re-erected Steffenbach bridge HK 075 winch in spring. When the bridge is dismantled, the Year of Year of Folding mechanism protects against middle section is folded down and lowered at construction: 1926 construction: 1990 avalanche damage the edge of the ravine on large hinges attached Length: 36.24 m Pulling force: 62 kN to the end of the fixed bridge section.