Hopper Car Connectors

WORKMASTER® POCKETPATH Hopper Car Connectors are the Industry’s most heavy-duty and cost-effective solution for eliminating the time-consuming, dangerous, and environmentally-harmful job of unloading covered hopper cars. The POCKETPATH hopper car connector solves multiple issues at unloading sites. If wind-blown powder or product dust creates pollution problems, the POCKETPATH has it covered. Additionally, any moisture, dirt or other contaminants won’t be tolerated. It’s also ideal when it’s difficult to control insect or rodent infestation and, therefore, installation can help meet OSHA or EPA guidelines for railcar unloading sites. Finally, the POCKETPATH reduces the chance of worker injury because it eliminates the dangerous practice of climbing under cars to manually clean-out hopper grooves and attach boots.

The POCKETPATH Connector is designed to easily install above ground, between the track flanges and below the top of the track rails. Installation can be completed by a 3-man crew in less than 4-hours including attaching the Connector’s funnel boots to the under-track storage or transport system.

From then on, unloading the hopper car is a one-man, hassle-free, 4-step job:

• Rough-spot the car over the Connector
• Use the Connector’s manual or pneumatic aligner to precisely align the Connector to the railcar pockets
• Set the spread  rod adjustment stops so that the funnels line-up with the car pockets
• Move to the site-convenient control console to activate the DL Valve for the dual lift cylinders which raise the unit, and DS Valve (for the dual spread cylinders which spread the funnels to align with the railcar pockets)

The Connector then automatically and smoothly rises with a constant 2500 lbs. of sealing force. As the railcar empties it continuously self-adjusts to the railcar’s cant.

After unloading the car, reverse the valves to close the funnels and lower the Connector to its rest position beneath the track tops. Total plant air consumed < 3 CFM @ 80 PSI of a filtered, regulated & lubricated air supply. Finally, lock the Control Console’s hinged-lid to prevent unauthorized use and move onto the next job.