Empty – Load Device:
It is a mechanical device, which enables to provide two different leverage ratios to the brake rigging of the wagon for the empty and the loaded conditions.
The braking force required to stop a train within the permissible stopping distance depends on the load of the train. As the load increases, more brake power is required, and as the load decreases, less brake power is required to stop the train.
So the brake power should be increased or decreased according to the requirement by changing the brake leverage ratio. To enable this, the ‘EMPTY-LOAD BOX’ device is provided on wagons, in between the brake cylinder and the brake blocks in the brake rigging.
The position of the change-over lever of the E/L Box is to be set to ensure
Correct brake power according to the gross weight, as given below:
- Less than 42.5 tonnes – in empty position
- 42.5 tonnes &above – in loaded position Brake
The LOAD-EMPTY device consists of two horizontal levers (one live and the other one dead) and is connected by means of empty and load tie rods.
When the handle is kept in empty position, the empty tie rod is connected to the system and in turn, provides low leverage ratio, thereby gives lesser brake force. When the handle is kept in the load position, the load tie rod is connected to the system and in turn, provides higher leverage ratio, thereby gives higher brake force as required.
- Resetting of Empty/Load box:
- Release brake rigging completely, including the release of handbrake fully.
- Ensure horizontal levers can move freely. Keep change over lever in ‘load’ position. Shift lock nuts and washers of sleeve nut as far as possible.
- Rotate sleeve nut and tighten empty tie rod fully.
- Then rotate sleeve nut slowly in reverse direction to lengthen empty tie-rod.
- Stop rotating as soon as the end of the “live horizontal lever” starts moving.
Carry out test:
- Tighten lock – nuts and bend lock washers.
- Testing the Load-Empty device for its effective functioning
- Keep the change over lever in ‘empty’ position, a clear click sound should be heard. Apply the brake and tap the empty tie rod pins, it should be tight. Tap the load tie rod pins, they should be loose. If tight, the adjustment is wrong and indicates the sleeve nut might have been tampered with.
- Release the brake and keep the change over lever in the load position and apply the brake. Tap the load tie rod pins, they should be tight. Tap the empty tie rod pins, they should be loose. If not adjust the empty tie rod as given above.