Clear the Way Efficiently with Railroad Brush Cutters

 

Maintaining clear railroad corridors is vital for safe operations, enhanced visibility, and environmental safety. The Railroad Brush Cutter by Mitchell-Railgear offers powerful, precise vegetation control tailored to the demands of the rail industry.

What Is a Railroad Brush Cutter?

A Railroad Brush Cutter is a rugged, rail-compatible attachment—typically mounted on hi-rail excavators or trucks—designed to trim back dense vegetation, overhanging limbs, and brush along railway tracks. Its combination of reach and strength enables crews to effectively clear right-of-way areas with speed and precision.

Essential Advantages of Brush Cutters in Rail Maintenance

• Enhanced Operational Efficiency
  Hi-rail machines navigate tracks quickly, reducing transit times and manual labor on maintenance tasks. 

• Improved Safety & Visibility
  Trimming brush and overgrowth helps maintain clear sight lines for inspectors, operators, and signaling systems, while also reducing fire hazards and trespassing risks. 

• Versatile Reach & Clean Cuts
  Heavy-duty hydraulic drive systems and telescoping booms (like notable high-reach machines) enable efficient clearing of large areas with precision. 

• Cost-Effective Maintenance
  Regular brush clearing combined with strategic applications (herbicide integration) extends periods between maintenance, saving time and budget. 

How Mitchell Railgear Leads the Way

• Universal Hydraulic Drive Systems: Their modular attachments suit excavators up to 80,000 lbs, enabling hi-rail operation for ground-level or on-track brush cutting. 

• Multi-Purpose Attachments: The Model 2525 system supports quick switching between tools—including brush cutters, grading buckets, clamshells, and magnet systems—through tilt-rotator technology. 

• Fast & Efficient Deployment: Mitigation of downtime is achieved with streamlined rail entry and exit mechanisms, ideal for urgent maintenance windows and tight schedules. 

• Built for Structure & Safety: All equipment is engineered with heavy-duty components, fail-safe braking, and responsive controls—ensuring reliability under demanding conditions. 

Real-World Applications

• Clearing sightlines at rail crossings and signal zones

• Vegetation control and brush trimming across rights-of-way

• Emergency fire risk reduction and erosion prevention

• Efficient clearance near curves, switches, and track panels

Want to See It in Action?

Experience the power and precision of Mitchell Railgear’s Railroad Brush Cutter for your team. Let us help optimize your maintenance operations with smart, reliable gear.

Track Excavator Hi‑Rail Systems — Rail Gear Innovation by Mitchell Railgear

Track excavator hi‑rail systems are engineered to bridge the gap between road and rail operation—delivering unmatched mobility, safety, and efficiency for rail maintenance and construction.

🔧 What Is a Track Excavator Hi‑Rail System?

A hi‑rail excavator is a standard track excavator outfitted with specialized rail gear (retractable wheels or rollers), allowing it to operate directly on train tracks as well as standard terrain. Mitchell Railgear’s system enables operators to switch effortlessly between modes, eliminating delays associated with equipment transport.

✅ Key Benefits for Rail Operations

1. Mobility & Speed

• Moves quickly on-track (up to 30 mph) without needing lowboy transport

• Reduces downtime and improves deployment efficiency

2. Cost-Effective & Versatile

• One machine for multiple environments—no need for separate road or rail equipment

• Supports numerous task-specific attachments like buckets, grapples, and more

3. Increased Productivity

• Decreases manual labor through faster and automated rail access

• Ideal for maintenance-of-way jobs, clearing, track laying, sleeper replacement, and more 

4. Enhanced Safety & Reliability

• Built with durable components and independent suspension for smooth rail riding

• Comes with emergency locks, braking integration, and safe deployment systems

🏗 Common Applications

• Track and ballast repairs

• Vegetation and brush clearing along tracks

• Sleeper replacement and rail realignment

• Installation of new track segments

• Emergency response and infrastructure recovery

Even remote or difficult-to-access sites become reachable when road access is combined with rail mobility.

🧰 How Mitchell Railgear’s System Works

• Rail Gear Deployment: Hydraulically or mechanically lowered into place using auxiliary circuits (often blade or chassis hydraulics)

• Self-Propelled on Track: Once deployed, the excavator travels along rails guided by cushioned wheels or rollers for stability and proper alignment

• Transition On/Off Rail: Rail gear retracts when on standard terrain, enabling seamless and safe operation on roads or job sites

🏆 Why Choose Mitchell Railgear?

• Industry-leading rail gear technology built specifically for excavators

• Depth of experience servicing rail maintenance contractors and operators

• High-standard certification and compliance for rail safety

• Comprehensive support: installation, maintenance, operator training, and parts

📞 Ready to Upgrade Your Rail Equipment?

Discover how the Mitchell Railgear Track Excavator Hi‑Rail System can streamline your rail maintenance workflows, reduce downtime, and increase safety.

Hi-Rail Trucks: The Backbone of Rail Maintenance

Railway maintenance and construction demand vehicles that can perform seamlessly on and off the track. That’s where hi-rail trucks come in. Also known as highway-rail vehicles, these versatile machines are equipped with rail gear that allows them to operate on both standard roads and railway tracks — saving time, improving access, and boosting productivity.

At Mitchell Railgear, we specialize in the design, engineering, and supply of heavy-duty hi-rail systems that transform your trucks into rail-capable workhorses.

🔧 What Is a Hi-Rail Truck?

A hi-rail truck (short for highway-rail truck) is a standard utility vehicle outfitted with retractable rail wheels, allowing it to travel directly on railway tracks. These rail wheels are typically installed at the front and rear and can be raised or lowered as needed. This dual-capability lets crews drive to the worksite by road and transition easily onto the rail line for maintenance tasks.

🚜 Applications of Hi-Rail Trucks

Hi-rail trucks are vital in railway operations, especially for:

• 🚧 Maintenance of Way (MOW) operations

• 🔌 Signal and electrical line servicing

• 🪚 Vegetation control and brush cutting

• 🛠 Rail inspections and welding

• 🚦 Track and switch maintenance

• 🔩 Emergency response and repair

Mitchell Railgear customizes hi-rail truck systems to support a wide range of attachments and applications — from cranes and lift buckets to welders and toolboxes.

✅ Key Features of Mitchell Railgear Hi-Rail Systems

• Heavy-duty railgear axles for stability and load handling

• Hydraulic or electric actuation for on-the-fly deployment

• DOT-compliant brake systems for road and rail safety

• Precision mounting kits for popular truck models

• Durable construction built for rugged field conditions

• Options for single- or tandem-axle trucks

We design each system with performance, safety, and longevity in mind — ensuring your vehicles operate reliably across every mile of track.

🏗 Compatible Truck Types

Our hi-rail systems are adaptable to a wide range of truck classes and configurations:

• Utility service trucks

• Flatbed and welding trucks

• Crew cabs

• Bucket trucks and cranes

• Medium and heavy-duty trucks

• Custom chassis vehicles

🔒 Built-In Safety & Compliance

Safety is non-negotiable in rail work. That’s why our hi-rail truck systems are engineered to meet or exceed AREMA and FRA guidelines, featuring:

• Emergency lock-out mechanisms

• Fail-safe deployment

• High-strength materials

• Operator manuals and training options

🏆 Why Choose Mitchell Railgear?

With decades of experience and a commitment to American manufacturing, Mitchell Railgear is a trusted name in railgear innovation. We offer:

• Custom engineering and retrofitting

• Industry-leading product durability

• Responsive customer support

• Nationwide distribution and servicing

📞 Get Started with Your Hi-Rail Truck Solution

Ready to equip your fleet with reliable hi-rail systems? Contact Mitchell Railgear today to discuss your vehicle type, application needs, and get a custom quote.

Clear the Way: How the Mitchell Railroad Brush Cutter Boosts Rail Safety and Efficiency

Overgrown vegetation can be more than just an eyesore along rail corridors—it can cause costly delays, obscure signal visibility, damage infrastructure, and even pose serious safety hazards. That’s where the Mitchell Railroad Brush Cutter comes in—an advanced rail maintenance attachment engineered to keep tracks clear, safe, and operational year-round.

🚧 What Is a Railroad Brush Cutter?

The Mitchell Railroad Brush Cutter is a high-performance attachment designed for rail-bound or hi-rail vehicles. It cuts through thick brush, small trees, and heavy vegetation with ease, helping maintenance crews manage railway right-of-way areas efficiently. Whether mounted on a hi-rail excavator or a dedicated MOW vehicle, it delivers power, precision, and reliability in even the most rugged conditions.

🔧 Key Features That Make the Difference

Mitchell Railgear’s brush cutter is built tough for the demands of rail work:

• Rotary or flail cutting head options for varied vegetation types

• Hydraulic-powered operation for consistent cutting force

• Hi-rail compatibility for easy on-track mobility

• Adjustable arm reach for side or overhead cutting

• Heavy-duty steel construction with safety guards

• Quick-mount system for fast setup and removal

These features help crews cut back brush safely and quickly, reducing the time spent working near active rail lines.

🛠️ Why Brush Cutting Is Critical for Rail Operations

Vegetation control isn't just cosmetic—it’s a core part of maintaining a safe and efficient railway. Here's why:

• 🌳 Keeps signal and signage visibility clear

• 🛤 Prevents track obstruction from overhanging branches

• 🔥 Reduces fire hazards during dry seasons

• 🐍 Discourages wildlife interference

• 🚆 Improves access for inspection and emergency crews

Mitchell’s Railroad Brush Cutter empowers rail operators to manage these risks without excessive manpower or downtime.

🚜 Built for Versatility

The brush cutter is compatible with:

• Hi-rail excavators

• Track loaders

• Rail-bound trucks and MOW units

• Custom utility rail vehicles

Whether you're clearing mainline stretches or tight switch yards, Mitchell Railgear has a configuration that fits your operational needs.

🏆 Why Choose Mitchell Railgear?

Mitchell Railgear is a trusted leader in hi-rail innovation, known for developing tough, field-tested solutions that improve the way rail maintenance is performed. With USA-based engineering, precision manufacturing, and custom solutions, you can count on durability, safety, and unmatched support.

📞 Ready to Upgrade Your Vegetation Control?

Get in touch with Mitchell Railgear to learn how the Railroad Brush Cutter can enhance your maintenance fleet. Ask about custom mounting options, available cutting heads, and pricing tailored to your needs.