WORKMASTER GO-A3-PW User manual

OPERATOR'S GUIDE
GO-A3-PW Gate Opener

PH: 267.350.2809
WORKMASTER disclaims any liability for injuries, death or damages arising directly or
indirectly, from the use, operation or application of this product not in accordance with
the procedures, specifications and recommendations contained in this owner’s manual.
The user of this product is responsible to install, maintain and operate the product and
parts or components manufactured or supplied by WORKMASTER in such a manner as
to comply with all federal, state and local rules, ordinances, regulations and laws,
including the Williams-Steiger Occupational Safety Act, and the American National
Standards Institute Safety Code.

PH: 267.350.2809
SYMBOLS
The following symbols are found throughout this Operator's Guide to alert the reader to
the relative danger that may result from non-observance.
This indicates a situation in which a hazard is
imminent and will result in a high probability of
serious injury or death.
This indicates a potentially hazardous situation,
which could result in minor to moderate in
j
ur
y
.
This symbol indicates a general statement to
assist the user in the operation or maintenance
of the equipment.
IMPORTANT
This indicates a potentially hazardous situation or
unsafe practice which could result in product or
property damaged.
CAUTION

PH: 267.350.2809
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SECTION PAGE
I. Introduction 1
II. Safety 2
III. RequiredMaterials 2
IV. Pre-StartChecklist 3
V. OpeningCarGates 6
VI. ClosingCarGates 11
VII. HeightAdjustment 16
VIII. Maintenance & Storage 17
IX. Troubleshooting 20
APPENDIX A: Parts List A-1
APPENDIX B: Air Preparation Kit B-1
APPENDIX C: Specifications C-1
Dimensions C-2
APPENDIX D: Air Supply Piping D-1

1 PH: 267.350.2809
I. INTRODUCTION
Fast, safe and economical unloading of covered hopper cars continues to be a
problem at most unloading sites. One of the biggest contributors to this problem
is the often time-consuming and difficult job of opening and closing bottom gates
or doors of these hopper cars. Load compaction, weather conditions, age,
abuse, or corrosive or gritty bulk materials can combine to prevent gate
mechanisms from operating smoothly.
Regardless of cause, the costs associated with the problem are significant.
Delays in emptying the hopper cars means slow car turnaround, increased
demurrage costs, and interrupted production schedules. Even more importantly,
the chance of worker injury is high since at many unloading sites, clumsy or
dangerous makeshift tools are used during the “fight” to open a stubborn gate.
To meet our commitment of “WE FIND A WAY – OR MAKE ONE
®
”,
WORKMASTER has developed a line of Hopper Car Gate Openers and
accessories which provide a safe, efficient and economical solution to the
problem of opening easy, medium and hard-to-open hopper car gates.
There are pneumatic, electric and manual units available producing 1,000 to
13,000 ft-lbs of torque to eliminate the need for "cheater” bars, sledge hammers,
jacks, and other improper tools sometimes used on this difficult job.
This Operator's Guide details the specifications, operation, maintenance, and
safe use of the GO-A3-PW Pneumatic Hopper Car Gate Opener. Experience has
shown that the GO-A3-PW Opener will open the most difficult car gates.
However, the same experience demonstrates that total satisfaction in use
depends on attention to detail in operating and maintaining the unit.
A
ll persons involved in the operation and
maintenance of this equipment should be
thoroughly familiar with the contents of this
manual.
IMPORTANT

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II. SAFETY
To prevent injury to yourself or others, and/or damage to equipment, you should
adhere to the following basic safety instructions.
1. Read carefully the entire Operator's Guide prior to installing or
operating equipment.
2. Always follow proper precautions and use proper tools and safety
equipment.
3. Be sure to receive proper training.
4. Always use the equipment and all its components in applications for
which they are approved.
5. Be sure to assemble all components correctly.
6. Never use worn, defective or damaged components.
7. Practice good housekeeping at all times, and maintain good lighting
around all equipment.
8. Perform Lock-out/Tag-out procedure on all energy sources to the
equipment, mounting structure, loading, and discharge systems in
accordance with ANSI Standards before installation or
maintenance.
III. REQUIRED MATERIALS
The following items are not supplied with your WORKMASTER Gate Opener but
are necessary for its proper installation and operation.
CLEAN and DRY compressed air.
High-quality air hose: 1/2" ID, preferably fitted with a Universal
(Chicago type) Coupling.

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IV. PRE-START CHECKLIST
The GO-A3-PW comes shipped fully assembled. The handle assembly is
adjustable to meet an operator's individual needs.
1. To raise or lower the height of the handle assembly, loosen both
handle set-screw knobs located opposite each other on the inside
of the handle frame.
2. Once the handle assembly is at the desired height, re-tighten both
set-screw knobs.
3. To tilt the handle assembly, loosen three (3) bolts located on each
side of the handle frame.

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4. When the handle assembly is in the desired position, re-tighten all
six (6) bolts.
5. Verify that the bolt which secures the Capstan Drive Fitting is tight.
6. Fill the GO-A3-PW's Lubricator with recommended oil:
WORKMASTER's TOOL-LUBE
™
Air Tool Oil PN: 36-21010.
7. Make sure all controls are off and properly secured, and then
connect all air hoses.
See APPENDIX A for complete directions on how to
identify, regulate air (regulator), empty collected air
line moisture (Filter), or fill oil (Lubricator) the FRL
unit.
IMPORTANT

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8. Each day, before opening any railcar gate, operate the
GO-A3-PW, for about 1-minute. This will allow oil to coat the
Gear Motor's internal components.
Compressed air is an invisible hazard. Any
component through which it passes is capable of
releasing an explosive force which could result in
personal injury or death. As noted earlier, all
persons involved in the operation and maintenance
of this equipment should be thoroughly familiar with
its use.
Be sure all hose connections are tightly secured. A
loose hose not only causes air leaks, but can whip
around and injure personnel in the area. Secure
hose couplings with safety pins, clips, cables or
chains.

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V. OPENING CAR GATES
1. Roll the GO-A3-PW Opener up to the hopper gate until you
"rough spot" position the opener's output drive with the railcar
gate's capstan socket.
2. Using the Capstan Swaging Kit (optional accessory, PN: 33-11120),
clean-out and square-up the capstan socket on the car gate so that
the Capstan Drive Fitting on the Gear Motor's output drive can be
aligned properly, and fully seated in the railcar gate's capstan socket.
3. Disengage the Car Gate Locking Mechanism before attempting to
open the gate.
4. Roll the Opener forward toward the car gate until the Capstan
Drive Fitting is firmly seated in the railcar's capstan socket.
5. Prior to energizing the Gear Motor, extend the GO-A3-PW's
Outriggers to the maximum practical length.
Failure to disengage the Car Gate Locking
Mechanism will cause damage to the car gate
and/or the railcar gate opener.
CAUTION
Regular use of the CAPSTAN SWAGING KIT will
ensure a long-life for your Drive Fitting. Also, a
clean, square capstan socket will maximize the
torque transfer between the Opener and the car
gate.
IMPORTANT

7 PH: 267.350.2809
6. To extend the Outriggers, loosen the Outrigger set-screw knobs
found on each side of the GO-A3-PW's frame.
7. Extend both Outriggers to maximum practical length.
8. Re-tighten both set-screw knobs when the Outriggers are in
position.
Outriggers must be extended before operating the
Opener. The reaction force produced by the Gear
Motor will cause the GO-A3-PW to roll over if
Outriggers are not properly extended. Outriggers
must be slid back into the retracted position when
Opener is not in use, eg, travel or storage.

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9. Pivot the GO-A3-PW's wheels 90º by turning the pivot wheel lever
to the right.
10. To open the railcar gate, grip the Opener's handle with both hands.
Move the Throttle Lever to the desired position.

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11. For clockwise rotation (operator's perspective) , pull the
Throttle Lever up towards the operator.
12. For counter-clockwise rotation (operator's perspective) ,
push the Throttle Lever down, away from the operator.
The GO-A3-PW produces torque for slowly and
deliberately opening railcar gates. It is not
designed for rapid direction change of gears.
Switching quickly between clockwise and
counter-clockwise rotation will damage internal
gears and chains.

10 PH: 267.350.2809
13. When the railcar gate is completely opened, move the Throttle
Lever back to the neutral position.
14. Slide Outriggers back into the frame assembly, put pivot wheels
into the straight position, and roll the GO-A3-PW back from the
railcar, thereby disengaging the Capstan Drive Fitting from the
railcar's capstan socket.
Release the Throttle Lever the moment the gate
reaches its fully opened position. Prolonged
impacting can cause structural damage to the Gate
mechanism, or damage the Opener.
CAUTION
Do not use other opening devices (pry bars,
multipliers, etc.) in an attempt to "help" the
GO-A3-PW
If the railcar gate will not move, STOP using the
GO-A3-PW Opener, and notify your supervisor,
continued operation will destroy the Opener.
CAUTION

11 PH: 267.350.2809
VI. CLOSING CAR GATES
1. Roll the GO-A3-PW Opener up to the hopper gate until you
"rough spot" position the Opener's output drive with the Railcar
Gate's Capstan Socket.
2. Disengage the Car Gate Locking Mechanism before attempting to
open the gate.
3. Re-examine the capstan socket. Look for rounded edges, spalling,
or mushrooming. If needed re-use the Swaging Tool to square up
the capstan socket.
4. Roll the Opener forward toward the car gate until the Capstan
Drive Fitting is firmly seated in the railcar's capstan socket.
5. Prior to energizing the Gear Motor, extend the GO-A3-PW's
Outriggers to maximum practical length.
Failure to disengage the Car Gate Locking
Mechanism will cause damage to the car gate
and/or the railcar gate Opener.
CAUTION
Regular use of the CAPSTAN SWAGING KIT will
ensure a long-life for your Drive Fitting. Also, a
clean, square capstan socket will maximize the
torque transfer between the Opener and the car
gate.
IMPORTANT

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6. To extend the Outriggers, loosen the set-screw knob found on each
side of the GO-A3-PW's frame.
7. Extend both Outriggers to maximum practical length.
8. Re-tighten both the set-screw knobs after the Outriggers are in the
desired position.
Outriggers must be extended before operating the
Opener. The reaction force produced by the Gear
Motor will cause the GO-A3-PW to roll over if
Outriggers are not properly extended. Outriggers
must be slid back into the retracted position when
Opener is not in use, eg, travel or storage.

13 PH: 267.350.2809
9. Pivot the GO-A3-PW's wheels 90º by turning the pivot wheel lever
to the right.
10. To close railcar gate, grip the Opener's handle with both hands.
Move the Throttle Lever to the desired position.

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11. For clockwise rotation (operator's perspective) , pull the
Throttle Lever up towards the operator.
12. For counter-clockwise rotation (operator's perspective) ,
push the Throttle Lever down, away from the operator.

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13. When the railcar gate is completely closed, move the Throttle Lever
back to the neutral position
14. Slide Outriggers back into the frame assembly, tighten the set-screw
knobs, and roll the GO-A3-PW back from the railcar, thereby
disengaging the Capstan Drive Fitting from the railcar's capstan socket.
The GO-A3-PW produces torque for slowly and
deliberately opening Railcar Gates. It is not
designed for rapid direction change of gears.
Switching quickly between clockwise and
counter-clockwise rotation will damage internal
gears and chains.
Release the Throttle Lever the moment the gate
reaches its fully closed position. Prolonged
impacting can cause structural damage to the gate
mechanism, or damage the Opener.
CAUTION
Do not use other opening devices (pry bars,
multipliers, etc.) in an attempt to "Help" the
GO-A3-PW Opener.
If the railcar gate will not move, STOP using the
GO-A3-PW Opener and notify your supervisor,
continued operation will destroy the Opener.
CAUTION

16 PH: 267.350.2809
VII. HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT
The height of the GO-A3-PW Gate Opener's Drive Shaft can be adjusted to help
align the Capstan Drive Fitting with the capstan socket. By rotating the handle,
centered at the top of the GO-A3-PW frame, the Drive Shaft can be more
precisely aligned with the capstan socket.
1. To raise the Drive Shaft, rotate the handle clockwise .
2. To lower the Drive Shaft, rotate the handle counter-clockwise .
3. The Drive Shaft can be raised to a maximum of 19.75" above the
ground.
Handle
Drive
Shaft
19.75 (max)
6.75 (min)