Versatility in material handling
On-Track Maintenance Material Distribution and Pick-Up Machine
Herzog saw an immediate need for increasing the speed of loading and unloading various materials with increased versatility and safety. Thus, the Multi-Purpose Machine® (MPM) was born.
The MPM performs numerous material handling tasks along the railroad right-of-way (ROW) for both routine maintenance or emergency response situations.

Rail and tie pickup and distribution
Rail shearing
ROW ditching, profiling, and drainage
Brush cutting and tree removal
Snow removal and land clearing
Pole removal
PTC, signals, and communications installation
Short line railroads
Rail transit systems
Material yards
Timber industry
Quarries and cement plants
Improving safety, speed, and functionality
When working in demanding railroad corridors, the Multi-Purpose Machine® (MPM) safely and efficiently performs a variety of on-track maintenance-of-way tasks for our nation’s Class I railroad engineering departments.
MPM Features
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Agile excavator Zero-turn radius track hoe travels atop material car gantry system in both directions.
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Built to Plate C specifications Compatible with multi-track environments because of its ability to not foul the adjacent track.
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Travel mode capabilities In travel mode, the MPM can travel at track speed in either direction.
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Safety and efficiency Operated with just one operator who is kept safely away from dangerous, labor-intensive tasks.
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Interchangeable attachments Standard attachments include bucket, magnet, tie grapple, and basket grapples.
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Additional attachments Additional attachments available include an auger, brushcutter, rail shear, tree shear.