By Howmet Fastening Systems Industrial

The track and crossing industry faces many challenges when it comes to maximizing up-time.

Climate issues like the extreme summer heat, extreme storms and ice-cold winters harm the safety levels of the rail infrastructure and lead to an increase in the associated repair and maintenance costs that can create service interruptions. Another common concern is wear and tear and the depreciation rate within the various parts of the rail system. The more wear and tear that is present within the rails, such as slipping rails, short rails and wobbly rails, the more likely they are to break down.

Using strong, vibration-resistant fasteners is one way to reduce the impact these challenges present to the industry.

Huck’s durable, long-lasting fasteners are the go-to solutions for engineers in the track and crossing industry. With the ability to resist failure created by vibration and corrosion in harsh environments, the fasteners increase efficiency and reduce the need for maintenance – ultimately enhancing safety and peace of mind for all industry stakeholders.

How Huck Fasteners Resolve Problems in the Industry

Huck’s products offer unparalleled fatigue life and shear and tensile strength, making them the longest-lasting, most reliable fasteners for RBM frogs, diamonds, gauge plates, insulated joints and self-guarded frogs.

Proven effective for over a decade, our fasteners are designed to address and reduce the following challenges involved in the installation and maintenance of rails and crossings:

Challenge #1: Withstanding Vibration to Prevent Loosening

Even in the most vibration-intensive environments, Huck fasteners maintain their structural integrity for the life of the joint.

With the exception of the Huck 360®, HuckBolts are installed using direct tension and swaging, so there are no gaps between collar and bolt threads – a common source of loosening in conventional nuts and bolts. Full metal-to-metal contact between the swaged-on collar and the pin maintains consistent clamp force, even in the harshest vibration-filled applications.

Compared to conventional bolts, HuckBolts have 30 percent more cross-sectional area and a larger root radius, resulting in a much stronger and more secure joint. This delivers 5 times the fatigue strength of regular bolts. HuckBolts are also not subjected to the twisting force of torsion that a torque wrench applies to a conventional bolt.

Challenge #2: Optimizing Installation

Huck’s lightweight, easy-to-use fasteners are designed to be installed safely and consistently. One of the most popular fasteners for this industry, the BobTail, does not have a pintail to break off, so there is greater efficiency and no wasted material during installation. Huck also helps you save time because installation confirmation only requires a quick visual inspection.

Challenge #3: Minimizing Corrosion

All HuckBolts® are engineered and manufactured to deliver a high level of corrosion resistance, but our innovative HuckGuard® coating offers an additional level of protection. By combining a zinc-rich basecoat with an organic topcoat, HuckGuard is specifically developed to protect swaged collars and Huck 360 nuts. As a result, the collars and nuts are protected in even the harshest outdoor environments, such as those present at tracks and crossings.

Challenge #4: Reducing Noise and Improving Safety

Like many of our other fasteners, the BobTail provides a shock-free installation process with reduced noise levels, offering safety and health benefits.

Challenge #5: Controlling Costs and Maintenance Needs

The cost and time savings from using Huck fasteners go even further when you consider that they never come loose. As a result, maintenance intervals are greatly extended and rail lines benefit from reduced downtime.

The potential for repetitive stress syndrome, often experienced with torque wrench installations, is virtually eliminated. In addition, using Huck fasteners does not require highly trained installation personnel.

Railway tracks with switches and interchanges

Fasteners used in tracks and crossings must be able to resist vibration and corrosion.


Huck Fasteners Ideal for Use in the Track and Crossing Industry

Huck-engineered fasteners provide remarkably uniform clamp power and unmatched vibration resistance that lead to reduced flexing and extended track and crossing life. Installers and manufacturers of rail and crossing equipment rely on Huck’s fasteners for their longevity, easy installation and strength, with the Huck BobTail, C50L and 360 at the top of the list.

  • Huck BobTail®

    Engineered for high performance and reliability, the BobTail is installed in as little as 2 seconds. Its low-swage technology enables installation with lightweight, ergonomic tooling. With a no-break-off pintail, BobTail offers the highest corrosion resistance in its class.

  • Huck C50L®

    Featuring superior vibration resistance and overall durability for heavy-duty applications, the C50L meets or exceeds torqued bolts in shear and tensile strength and fatigue life. Its pintail is designed to remove any gaps for greater reliability.

  • Huck 360®

    As a nut-and-bolt fastening system, the Huck 360 is the tried-and-true solution for optimal performance. The Huck 360 system can be installed using conventional tools and offers vibration resistance and durability with flexibility in installation – all while increasing the return on investment for users.

Huck’s solutions create more efficient, reliable results, all while reducing maintenance needs and creating a longer track life. The durable, long-lasting fasteners can help you save time and money, as well as enhance your peace of mind.

For more information about our tools and fasteners, visit us online or speak with a member of our sales team.