Ballast plough for ballasting a track

Abstract

The ballast hopper ( 14 ) of a ballast plough ( 1 ) is connected at a rear end—with respect to a working direction ( 5 )—to the machine frame ( 3 ) by means of a joint ( 22 ). A pivot drive ( 25 ) is provided for pivoting the hopper ( 14 ) about a joint axis ( 24 ), extending perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the machine, of the joint ( 22 ). Associated with a discharge end ( 18 ), spaced from the joint ( 22 ), of the bottom conveyor belt ( 16 ) is a transfer conveyor belt ( 28 ) for passing the stored ballast ( 12 ) on to a storage wagon adjoining the ballast plough ( 1 ).

1 . A ballast plough comprising a machine frame ( 3 ) mobile on on-track undercarriages ( 2 ), a plough ( 9 ) provided for ballasting a track ( 6 ), and a ballast hopper ( 14 ) configured for storing ballast, the ballast hopper having a bottom conveyor belt ( 16 ) extending in a longitudinal direction ( 23 ) of the machine, characterized by the following features:
 a) the ballast hopper ( 14 ) is connected at a rear end ( 19 )—with respect to a working direction ( 5 )—to the machine frame ( 3 ) by means of a joint ( 22 ),   b) a pivot drive ( 25 ) is provided for pivoting the hopper ( 14 ) about a joint axis ( 24 ), extending perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction ( 23 ) of the machine, of the joint ( 22 ),   c) associated with a discharge end ( 18 ), spaced from the joint ( 22 ), of the bottom conveyor belt ( 16 ) is an unloading device ( 26 ) for passing the stored ballast ( 12 ) on to a storage wagon ( 27 ) adjoining the ballast plough ( 1 ).   
     
     
         2 . A ballast plough according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the unloading device ( 26 ) is configured as a transfer conveyor belt ( 28 ), extending in the longitudinal direction ( 23 ) of the machine and arranged underneath the bottom conveyor belt ( 16 ), which is adjustable by means of a displacement drive ( 29 ) into a transfer position projecting beyond the discharge end ( 18 ). 
     
     
         3 . A ballast plough according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the unloading device ( 26 ) is designed as an unloading chute ( 30 ) which is articulatedly fastened in the region of the discharge end ( 18 ) of the bottom conveyor belt ( 16 ) and can be pivoted.