Powerful, battery powered tools are set to give an emission free boost to off-track rail projects

Torrent Trackside is one of the leading suppliers of tools, lighting and equipment to the rail industry. In response to the industry’s requests for lower emissions the company has invested heavily in a complete range of battery powered tools and equipment to meet the needs of track based construction and maintenance.

Off-track projects are also a key part of running an efficient railway. There is no point having perfect track if buildings, stations and the vegetation and habitat surrounding the track are in disrepair or overgrown. This work requires specialist expertise and the operators rely on the latest tools and equipment to complete their tasks safely and efficiently.

In recognition of this demand Torrent Trackside is providing a range of tools dedicated to off-track needs. Brush cutters, chainsaws and hedge trimmers will soon be available to hire to assist with vegetation clearing. All the tools are easy to use and benefit from excellent ergonomics.

Vegetation management is a key part of maintaining the railway. There are millions of trees growing along the 20,000 miles of track in the UK. Diseased and dead trees are a hazard to trains and fallen branches need to be cleared quickly to ensure the safe running of the railway and prevent delays to train services. Autumn and early Winter are particularly busy times for vegetation management as leaf drop is minimised by the maintenance or removal of various broadleaf varieties such as sycamore and poplar trees.

Off-track construction and maintenance will also benefit from the new tools with a range of disc cutters being introduced. The disc cutters consist of a 9 inch and 12 inch version. The 9 inch is incredibly lightweight and versatile, while the 12 inch is ideal for more demanding jobs and can cut through up to 80 400mm square slabs on one charge. The work can be varied and in difficult to reach areas so the lightweight features of the new tools is ideal, especially as there are no fuel cans and generators to transport.

All the new equipment is battery powered. With rising fossil fuels costs this is an important financial consideration. The tools are completely emission free, not only does this reduce carbon emissions annually by up to 1500kg per tool, it also means that the operators are not exposed to harmful gases and particulates.

The electric motors also provide a significant reduction in Hand Arm Vibrations (HAVs) allowing operators to use the equipment for longer periods of time without the risk of vibration related injury.

The battery tools do not need a pull cord to get them started and fuel mixing errors and spillages are a thing of the past. The new tools are also quieter, an important consideration when working in built up areas. They only operate and use power when the trigger is pressed rather than constantly using fuel when ticking over like the petrol equivalent.

Battery power means instant power with maximum torque being achieved considerably faster than petrol variants. There is no run up time or waiting for tools to warm up on cold starts. All tools have equal or more power than the petrol equivalents.

These tools look set to become a game changer in the off-track market. We looked at a range of manufacturers but the durability and power of Husqvarna impressed us. With ever increasing fossil fuel costs and the need to reduce emissions the battery powered versions were the go to choice.