All aboard for modern turnout maintenance
The compact universal tamping machine for turnout maintenance and spot tamping
- Four different tamping unit types allow you to choose the configuration best suited to your needs.
- Careful turnout maintenance: the lifting and lining unit (3rd-rail lifting unit) distributes the lifting forces uniformly
- 100% complete turnout maintenance thanks to flexibly adjustable tamping units
The equipment on board the Unimat 08/4S series is all you need for the optimal tamping result.
Multiple functions have been built into the machine’s short overall length: no trailer is required to perform complete post-measuring of the track geometry. On request, work results are documented using the new inertial measuring technology. This new technology reduces overall machine length and saves you time-consuming manual post-measuring.

Your benefit
- Full turnout control: individually tilting roller lifting discs mounted on the longitudinally shiftable lifting and lining unit, lifting hooks, and additional lifting unit for the diverging rail
- Optimal positioning: as the tamping unit segments are independent of one another, the Unimat offers a high degree of flexibility. Already during the first tamping cycle, it secures the turnout’s outermost positions to immediately fix the lateral position.
- Pre-measuring at speeds of up to 60 km/h: inertial measuring unit (IMU), connected directly to the SmartALC.
- Track centreline distance measured safely: a rotation laser (also applicable for ballast profile monitoring and measuring of platform edges) eliminates the need for manual post-measuring and improves operational safety.
- Possible to integrate a continuous-action Dynamic Track Stabilizer
- Parallel tamping: the combined lifting and lining unit with roller lifting clamps allows two Unimat 08-4S machines to be synchronized to simultaneously tamp bearers along both lines.
- Only one tamping operator: one operator in the ergonomic cab controls the tamping unit and lifting and lining unit.
Examples of the product
Turnouts pose various challenges – our “multi tool” offers a multitude of solutions
The technology used on Plasser & Theurer’s Unimat 08/4S allows optimal tamping results throughout entire turnouts, including frog areas, and even challenging hollow sleepers.
Your benefit:
The machine combines all important processes and ensures long-lasting tamping results – not only in costly, complex turnout components. It is also ideally equipped for tamping isolated defects. Optionally, the machine can be expanded to include additional work steps such as collecting, storing, and transporting ballast, measuring or sweeping.

Perfect tamping results with less staff required
In the ergonomic work cab with sound and heat insulation, the tamping operator has the optimal overview of the section being worked on and all controls for the tamping and the lifting and lining unit within reach.
The fine art of turnout tamping
Turnout maintenance is a complex process. Turnouts differ greatly in design. This is why tamping machines need a great degree of variability to optimally adjust to the conditions at hand. This is why Plasser & Theurer offers various types of tamping units: they are all versatile in application. Their special design has been optimized for specific application scenarios. This allows you to react precisely to the requirements of your market.

4x4 tamping unit
Setting the standard in turnout maintenance
Tried and tested working parameters for optimal tamping results: The Unimat’s universal tamping unit has been optimized to meet the special requirements of turnout maintenance. You are prepared for any obstacle: the split-head technology makes it possible to shift each of the four tamping unit segments individually and sideways. If there is an obstacle in the turnout, the 16 tamping tines simply tilt upwards.
2X-4x4 tamping unit
Universal tamping at its best
Why combine two different tamping units? The tamping unit half that adjusts to turnouts offers more movability and flexibility. On plain-line tracks, however, performance is key: this is where both halves work together in 2X mode. The second tamping unit half now features fewer moveable parts. This reduces the need for maintenance and minimizes life cycle costs.
8x4 tamping unit
Tamping with high performance and maximum flexibility
The 8x4 tamping unit is a whole new class in terms of universal tamping technology. As its name suggests, it features eight independent tamping unit segments with tiltable tamping tines. The cyclic 2-sleeper Unimat 08-8x4/4S tamping machine can switch to 1-sleeper tamping mode as required. Thanks to these features, your machine combines the high performance of 2-sleeper tamping with maximum flexibility.
4x8 tamping unit
2-sleeper maintenance for turnouts and plain-line tracks
The tried and tested 08-32/4S tamping unit developed into the 4x8 tamping unit, which is optimized for mastering 2-sleeper tamping: this tamping unit excels if both turnout and track maintenance is required. The 4x8 tamping unit continuously employs 2-sleeper mode. This mode is optimally suited for large radii and uses a higher working speed. If you prioritize high performance over the flexibility offered by 1-sleeper mode, the 4x8 tamping unit is the ideal choice for you.
The compact powerhouse for turnout maintenance

Our high level of quality creates sustainability.
High-quality work extends the intervals between maintenance operations and ensures resources are used sparingly. In addition, Plasser & Theurer’s eco-friendly machines use consumables economically. We recommend Panolin lubricants for our products. These biodegradable oils are much eco-friendlier than other substances with the same effect. Your Plasser & Theurer machine allows operation in a train consist. This increases cost-efficiency and benefits the environment: the multiple traction control system during transfer travel reduces the costs and effort of transferring the machine under own power.
All around the world, rising levels of pollution and the ever increasing need for mobility are affecting our environment. For that reason, Plasser & Theurer is promoting the railway system as the eco-friendly mode of transport of the future.




























