LB Foster’s friction management applicators include the PROTECTOR series trackside system which is designed to apply either gauge face grease or revolutionary friction modifiers, including KELTRACK and TOR oils, and also the top of wheel lubricator LCF Solid Stick.
If rail/wheel wear is a primary concern, as well as flange noise, fuel efficiency and derailment, LB Foster’s Wayside Protector IV® Track Lubrication system and GreaseGuide bar is the solution. Gauge Face Lubrication is widely implemented around the world but the electronic, wayside lubrication system is by far the most efficient and successful friction management system.
Top of Rail (TOR) friction impacts lateral forces, rail /wheel wear (top of rail and tread), rolling contact fatigue, fuel efficiency, squeal noise, flange noise, corrugations, hunting, derailment potential and traction/adhesion. LB Foster’s Protector IV® Track Lubrication system applies revolutionary KELTRACK® Trackside Top of rail friction modifiers exactly where required through a range of TOR foam applicator bars including the new, simplified foam bar.
Flange lubrication on the wheel/rail interface can significantly reduce flange wear, energy/fuel consumption, flanging noise, wheel profiling frequency, wheel climb derailment potential and rolling contact fatigue (RCF). LB Foster’s KELSAN® Wheel Flange Lubrication system includes the LCF (Low Coefficient of Friction) solid stick solution which has been proven through extensive testing to provide the best lubricity and retentivity to resist wear in the industry.
We are the exclusive agents for LB Foster’s Total Friction Management solutions, which includes a wide range of proprietary systems to control friction between the wheel and rail for transit and freight rail applications.
For more than a century LB Foster has provided the materials necessary to build and maintain the world’s infrastructure and their friction management products and delivery systems provide substantial cost benefits by maximising equipment performance and minimizing wear at the wheel/rail interface.
Uncontrolled friction at the wheel/rail interface on a transit system results in a number of detriments including: curve noise, excessive wheel and rail wear, corrugations and rolling contact fatigue, wheel flats, SPADS (signals passed at danger due to lubricant on the rail head), higher fuel/energy consumption and potential safety issues like wheel climb derailment and high lateral focus.
A Friction Management system will actively extend the life of your rail asset whilst ensuring increased safety, efficiency and reduced noise.
Friction Management | LB Foster
Curve noise reduction of up to 20 dB
Extend wheel life by up to 20x
Extend grinding intervals by 2x
35 – 60% rail wear reduction
3 – 7% reduction in fuel consumption
25 – 40% lateral force reduction reduces derailment potential