Unloading system

Depending on the railcar type, two basic techniques of unloading are distinguished: self-unloading gravity method and unloading with FAM designed wagon tipplers. In case of the self-unloading gravity method, a slowly moving train continuously discharges commodities into a hopper installed underneath the track bed. The side hatches of the wagons are opened manually or automatically, allowing the load to empty by sliding down the slopes of a saddle longitudinally positioned in the middle of the wagon. FAM designed wagon tippler stations unload the entire wagons either by tipping or rotary (flipping) mechanism until the material is discharged by gravity through the wagon loading bay opening. The tipping system can either be accomplished using front tipplers or side tipplers; however, side tipplers are more popular because of a much higher unloading efficiency. Especially the high-performance wagon side tipplers with a hydraulic or electro-mechanic drive are capable of discharging at a speed of up to 60 wagons per hour.