R.A.T.S. – Remote Activated Tracked System
Iron Horse Earthworks has working expertise in the area of hazardous waste removal and has developed remote operated equipment to minimize the danger of working with hazardous materials. Over the past seven years, Iron Horse has researched and perfected the operation of the Remote Activated Tracked Systems (R.A.T.S.) and has used this equipment in the most severe situation, such as removal of Unexploded Ordinance (UXO) and biohazard impacted material.
There are three main categories of equipment that Iron Horse operates remotely including excavators, bulldozers, and screeners. The excavator can be utilized for digging excavations, trenching, stripping, and loading the screeners. The screeners are used for screening oversized debris, while at the same time sorting off metals with the use of industrial magnets. The bulldozers are used for stripping areas and pushing soil into stockpiles.
All three pieces of equipment can be run manually and by remote. When the equipment is activated manually, an operator is positioned on the equipment. This method is utilized in low risk areas to increase production. However, when dangerous work situations arise, this equipment can be operated from a station, mounted on a truck, at a safe working distance. Each unit transmits and receives a signal from each particular machine. The signal carries video capabilities so that operators have real time visual support to guide the equipment as accurately as if they were manually operating the machine. Each unit comes with a truck fitted with a remote operation station so all equipment can work side by side without interruption.
This specialized remote equipment, with the experience of the talented team that operates them, is proven to be effective and efficient at completing projects that would otherwise present considerable safety concerns for workers.
