Lifting device for manipulating a track element

A lifting device for manipulating a track element at a manipulating location at least partially above a track, said lifting device capable of being transported to a manipulating location on a transport platform of a transport vehicle, said lifting device comprising:

• a lifting device frame including power and drive means;
• lifting elements, supported by said lifting device frame, for lifting said track element;
• transfer elements for moving said lifting device frame;
• at least one pair of support members for supporting and manipulating said transfer elements, said support members being mounted on a common subframe;
• each of said support members having telescopic arms, said telescopic arms having a retracted position in which said transfer elements are retractable essentially upon the transport platform and a extended position in which said transfer elements are extended substantially beyond the transport platform;
• each of said support members having elevating means, operating in a substantially vertical direction, for moving said transfer elements in a vertical direction for at least changing ground clearance of said transfer elements;
• and
• wherein said pair of support members is at least partially coupled to the lifting device frame by at least one elastic element enabling the tilting and rotating of said pair of support members relative to the lifting device frame and said elastic element is self-operated by means of a spring member.

A lifting device for manipulating a track element at a manipulating location at least partially above a track, said lifting device capable of being transported to a manipulating location on a transport platform of a transport vehicle, said lifting device comprising:

• a lifting device frame provided with power and drive means;
• lifting elements, supported by said lifting device frame, for lifting said track element;
• transfer elements for moving said lifting device frame;
• at least one pair of support members for supporting and manipulating said transfer elements, said support members being mounted on a common subframe;
• at least one brace element for movably mounting said common subframe to said lifting device frame, said at least one brace element allowing said subframe to tilt and rotate with respect to said lifting device frame;
• each of said support members having telescopic arms, said telescopic arms having a retracted position in which said transfer elements are retractable essentially upon the transport platform and an extended position in which said transfer elements are extended substantially beyond the transport platform;
• and
• each of said support members having directional elements for rotating the transfer elements in a substantially horizontal plane for changing the traveling direction of the lifting device.