FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What crane and boom attachments does Rail Depot Direct supply for rail operations?
Rail Depot Direct stocks HARRYBILT rail scissors and drag blocks for crane and boom operations on Australian rail networks. Products are available in two rail profile weight ranges: 41kg/m to 68kg/m and 86kg/m, covering a broad range of Australian track and crane rail applications. HARRYBILT Engineering is an Australian manufacturer based in Ballarat, Victoria, with over 35 years of rail maintenance equipment manufacturing experience.
What is the difference between rail scissors and a drag block?
Rail scissors grip the rail head using a scissor-action clamping mechanism and are used for lifting rail vertically during installation, removal, and relocation. The scissor geometry tightens under load, increasing clamping force as the lift increases. Drag blocks grip the rail foot and transfer horizontal tensile force, allowing rail to be pulled or dragged longitudinally along the track axis without lifting. Drag blocks are used during CWR installation and stress relief operations where threading rail into position is more practical than lifting it.
How do I select the correct HARRYBILT attachment for my rail profile?
Select the attachment that matches the weight per metre of the rail profile you are handling. The 41kg/m to 68kg/m products suit lighter to mid-weight track rails used across secondary lines, industrial track, and many freight applications. The 86kg/m products suit heavy crane rail and heavy-haul mainline profiles. Using an attachment rated for a lighter profile on a heavier rail creates insufficient clamping force and a load security risk. If you are working across multiple rail profiles on the same project, you may need more than one attachment type on site.
Do HARRYBILT crane rail attachments require network certification to be used in Australia?
Some Australian network operators require that lifting attachments used within the rail corridor be registered or certified under their specific access conditions. The certification requirement varies by network. Before deploying a crane rail attachment on a specific network, confirm the network operator's requirements for lifting equipment used within the corridor. Contact us at hello@raildepotdirect.com or call 0418 982 399 for guidance on certification requirements for HARRYBILT products on your network.
Can I use the same rail scissors for both track rail and crane rail profiles?
No. The two HARRYBILT Rail Scissors variants are not interchangeable. The 41kg/m to 68kg/m scissors are designed for the head geometry and foot width of lighter track rail profiles. The Crane Rail Scissors are designed for the larger head geometry of 86kg/m crane and heavy-haul profiles. Using the lighter-rated scissors on a heavier profile risks insufficient clamping force and potential load release. Always match the attachment to the specific rail profile being lifted on the day.
Are there other crane and boom attachments available beyond the current HARRYBILT range?
Additional crane and boom attachments for rail applications can be requested through Rail Depot Direct's request-a-product service at raildepotdirect.com/pages/request-a-product. If you need a specific attachment type, load rating, or profile range not currently covered by the listed HARRYBILT products, submit your requirements and the team will work to source it from a verified Australian supplier.