The SSP 305 is a high speed ballast regulator designed to operate in conjunction with a continuous action tamping machine – in particular the Plasser 09-3X three sleeper continuous action tamping machine. It is capable of performing all ballast profiling, regulating and track brooming functions in a single continuous forward pass of the machine.
The SSP 305 is fitted with a heavy duty cruciform main plough positioned between, but close to, the rear axle of the machine to minimise the effect of centre throw on curved track. The shoulder ploughs are positioned in relation to the main centre plough so as to facilitate the flow of ballast from the shoulders into the main plough for distribution along the track. The two self-steering, high performance ballast brooms, mounted on a two-axled trailer, sweeps excess ballast from the full width of sleepers and the fastenings onto transverse conveyors within the broom housings, depositing the excess ballast onto either side of the track. A spare broom spindle may be included as a recommended option in a dedicated storage location near the rear of the trailer.