Rail pads

Combined with the GANTREX® clips, our patented pads are the core of the soft-mount crane rail solutions and prove essential to reduce shocks and vibrations in rail systems

What's a rail pad?

A Rail Pad is a high-performance rubber pad that protects crane tracks through even load distribution and vibration absorption. Rail Pads are available in continuous and discontinuous options for all rail profiles.

Whats the function of a Rail Pad?

Rail pads are rubber components installed between the rail foot and track support structure. They are designed to:

  • distribute load evenly across the support surface
  • absorb impact and vibration from crane movement
  • reduce wear on both rail and supporting structures
Key features

  • All rail profiles covered

  • Wider load distribution

  • Wear reduction of the rail and its support

  • Improved stress distribution under the rail​

  • Eliminates stress concentrations and point loads on the sole plates​

  • Distributes the loads under the center line of the rail

Product range Video References Downloads

Our Product Range

continuous pad image

Continuous pads

Designed for soft-mount installations where rails are laid on continuous supports. For more details, contact us or select and download the document in the list.

 

Discontinuous-pad

Discontinuous pads

Designed for soft-mount installations where rails are laid on intermittent supports. For more details, contact us or select and download the document in the list.

RailLok™ Innovation

The patented RailLok™ series of continuous pads (MK9) is specifically designed to perform integrally with the RailLok™ clips. The design eliminates the ingress of dirt and water between the rail and its support, minimizes the effect of crane oscillation and rail twisting, and improves the compression created by the “nose” of the clip. The Gantrex RailLok™ Pad patent is filed under the following numbers across the world: US9435082B2, EP2794994B1, CN103987896B. To cover all types of rail systems, we developed a range of RailLok™ pads designed for soft-mount installations where rails are laid on continuous and discontinuous supports available in different pad widths.

 

pad MK9.0 220
RailLok™ pads benefits

Using Gantrex patented pads underneath a crane rail delivers real performance benefits. For example, both the rail and plates are rolled elements and small imperfections exists on their surfaces, if a rail sits directly on the plate it creates point loading on the imperfections resulting in high stress concentrations. By inserting a rubber layer in-between the rail and the steel surface, the small irregularities of the material are absorbed and you create a much better load distribution, which in turn leads to a reduction in the stress on the foundation level.

Gantrex in-house R&D has conducted extensive testing and structural analysis to understand how the use of pads reduces the stress concentration within the rail as well. And the results are clear: the pad ensures that local overloading is better distributed over the surface of the rail. This allows for load transfer through the centerline of the railhead and rail. In addition, a pad also provides a better load distribution in case of a misalignment, and a protection to the upper surface of the girder from abrasion and wear.

Pad-seal-drawing
Pads shape improvements

To allow a better dynamic load distribution within the pad, our in-house R&D department has developed a new and patented shape for our RailLok™ Pads. This specific shape allows a better distribution of wheel loads to avoid load concentrations (resulting in a pad failure) in the middle. Also, this patented feature minimizes the ingress of dirt and water under loading thanks to the improved edge seals. They ensure there is a constant contact between the rail, edges of the pad and the steel plate even during rail rocking. The improved pad shape and edge seals have significantly improved the reliability and the life cycle of the rail fastening system.

Pad-and-clips-drawing
Steel Reinforcement

The integrated steel reinforcement facilitates the extrusion process during manufacture while providing lateral restraint to the pad, preventing lateral displacement under normal operating conditions.

Pads_Production
Gantrex Production

At Gantrex, we take pride in being the sole producer of rail pads within the European Union. With over 50 years of expertise in the industry, our legacy of pad production stands as a testament to our commitment to quality and innovation. Crafted by our team of skilled Gantrex employees, each pad undergoes a meticulous production process that we diligently oversee every step of the way. Our dedication to maintaining the highest standards is evident through rigorous quality checks throughout the production journey. Furthermore, at Gantrex we place high importance on the health and safety of our workforce, ensuring a secure and safe environment. Our ISO 9001 certification underscores our dedication to excellence, reinforcing our position as a trusted leader in pad production.

 

Pads-Installation
Installation Team

Rely on Gantrex to help you with your next rail system project. From the engineering of tailor-made complete solutions right through to installation on site, your Gantrex experts are specialists in the design, delivery and maintenance of crane rail system solutions. With our worldwide network and unrivalled experience in the field, our teams can implement industry leading best practices and install crane rail systems to the very highest standards, ensuring the quality, safety and performance of your project.

 

Gantrex pads video

Our References

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