Pettibone adds CreepDrive system to enhance attachment capability for rail cranes

Pettibone's rail crane, the Speed Swing 445F, is now available with the CreepDrive system from Poclain Hydraulics. This optional feature allows the Speed Swing to run high-flow hydraulic attachments while driving the machine at a slower independent travel speed on or off the rails.

The Poclain CreepDrive is a hydrostatic driveline motor that can be clutched. When the operator wishes to engage the CreepDrive, the Speed Swing's mechanical transmission is placed into neutral. A display interface is then used to raise and lower the engine RPMs, providing the necessary hydraulic flow - up to 33 gallons per minute - to run high-flow attachments. At the same time, the operator can control the CreepDrive with an integrated rocker pedal, which travels the machine forward or backward at slower speeds of up to two miles per hour.

High-flow attachments compatible with a CreepDrive-enabled Speed Swing include snow blowers, power brooms and several others. The Speed Swing 445F is also available with dozens of attachments that do not require CreepDrive, including an adjustable V-type snowplow, tote boom, track-cleaning bucket, load bucket, hydraulic tool circuit, magnet package, 20-foot extendable boom, fork frame, and many more. Most attachments can connect to the machine with a standard pin-on connection or ACS quick coupler.