Palfinger: All on Track in North America and Asia

The Palfinger PK700T is characterized by its outstanding performance and versatility and is ideal for maintenance work in rail tunnels and subways. PALFINGER is to equip subway operators in Boston and Hong Kong with six crane units.

The rail tunnel and subway systems of large cities are regarded as the heart of public transport. That is why they must remain operational under all circumstances. However, due to space restrictions and limited freedom of movement, extensive maintenance and repairs are a major challenge. 

In such cases, PK700T units from Palfinger Railway lift and maneuver heavy equipment such as rails and track segments safely and precisely. The compact crane units have been specifically designed for work in tunnels, subways and under overhead power lines, so that maximum lifting capacity is achieved with a horizontally positioned boom. They allow entire track segments weighing up to 6.5 tons to be replaced and maintenance to be carried out simply, efficiently, safely and in the shortest possible time.

The renowned Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) is considered the birthplace of public transportation in America and carries over a million passengers a day by subway, bus, ferry and commuter rail. The PK700T crane units from Palfinger will be used on each of the three MBTA Rapid Transit lines. The pivoting electric units enable completely emission-free operation and therefore contribute to sustainable maintenance work. The first unit will be delivered to Boston in fall 2024, with the others following in 2025. The order fits seamlessly into Palfinger’s North America strategy: over the next five years, the world market leader is aiming to achieve a significant increase in market share in all product segments and, as a result, to become market leader in North America.

About 12,000 kilometers away from Boston, Hong Kong has also chosen to rely on the PK700T. To carry out track maintenance and track renewal work on the DUAT part of the city’s public transport network, the crane units are equipped with pivoting diesel hydraulic power systems. In this way they meet the specific requirements of the subway network. Thanks to their robust design and precision control options, they are perfect for efficiently carrying out work in tunnels and subways. The units are expected to be delivered at the end of 2023. “These new orders underline our customers’ confidence in the quality and reliability of our solutions. They also strengthen our international position as a provider of innovative Railway solutions,” emphasizes Manuel Mantovan, Area Sales Manager at Palfinger Railway.