01
Twin track rail
Twin aluminium profile in 4 m bars, with brackets, clamps and stainless fixings. Track ends are closed with a stainless end stop.
Ref. 245000050 · stop 245000600
See rail in the shop →
Overhead transport of carcasses and meat
Twin track overhead rail for slaughterhouses, cutting rooms and cold rooms
We design, manufacture and install twin-track overhead rail systems to move carcasses, half carcasses and hanging cuts of meat effortlessly and without touching the floor. Aluminium rail, curves, switches, trolleys, hooks and arms: the complete Bernad Birrail system, since 1987.
Own manufacturingSlaughterhousesCutting roomsCarcass roomsDrying rooms
Own manufacturingWe design and manufacture the rail; serving the meat industry since 1987
250–350 kg per trolleyUsual load in standard beef installations
R 360 mm45° and 90° curves and switches: single, double and triple
Ø 12 · 15 · 18 mmStainless hooks for lamb, pork and beef; the Ø 18 mm hook takes carcasses up to 350 kg
What it is
What is a twin track (birrail) overhead rail?
A twin track overhead rail is a transport system suspended from the ceiling or a steel structure, made of two parallel aluminium rails on which trolleys with hooks, gambrels or pendants run. It is used to move carcasses, half carcasses and hanging cuts between the different areas of a meat plant —slaughter, chilling, cold rooms, cutting and dispatch— without the product touching the floor and without operators carrying the weight.
- The track (rail and brackets) is anchored to the structure with clamps and stainless steel fixings.
- The trolleys run on both rails and carry the hook, gambrel or pendant holding the meat.
- Curves, switches and points send each trolley to its destination: a cold room, the cutting room or the loading dock.
At Bernad we design it for each building and integrate it with the rest of the facility: cold rooms, drying rooms and slaughterhouse machinery.
The Birrail system, part by part
Everything your rail network needs
We manufacture every component of the overhead rail, all compatible with each other. You can ask us for a complete installation or buy individual parts and spares in our online shop.
02
Brackets and anchors
Single and double aluminium brackets, fixed to the structure with anchor clamps and M12 stainless fixings.
Ref. 245000034 · 245000044
See brackets →03
Horizontal curves
Complete 45° and 90° curves with a 360 mm radius to fit the route to the shape of the room.
Ref. 245000085 · 245000090
See curves →04
Switches and points
Single switches at 45° and 90°, double and triple switches at 90°, with stainless steel points to the right, to the left or triple.
Ref. 245000125 · 130 · 140 · 210
See switches →05
Trolleys
Aluminium body, PA6 nylon load wheels and guide rollers with bearings and a stainless axle. 2 or 4 wheels, with a Ø 13, 16 or 19 mm fork.
Ref. 245000300 · 245000310
See trolleys →06
Hooks
Trolleys with stainless hooks of Ø 12 mm (lamb), Ø 15 mm (pork) and Ø 18 mm (beef, carcasses up to 350 kg), plus truck hooks and euro hooks for tubular rail.
Ref. 245120170 · 150 · 160
See hooks →07
Gambrels and slings
V gambrels for lamb and pork, flat bar gambrel (also with slings) and sling trolley, all in stainless steel.
Ref. 245120189 · 140 · 120 · 180
See gambrels →08
Pendants and hangers
Rectangular pendants (fixed or folding) and round pendants, with trolley or ring, plus hangers for cuts.
Ref. 245000303–308 · 245120190
See pendants →09
Arms and drops
Gravity drop to table and arms of about 2 m in aluminium or stainless steel: tilting, extendable up to 600 mm, swing-tilt, fold-back or with a pneumatic piston.
Ref. 245125450 · 245125318 · 245125302
See arms →10
Truck rail
Twin track rail to equip the truck and connect it with the rail in the room: shorter loading and unloading times and safer work.
Ref. 245000160
See in the shop →11
Automatic conveyor
Moves carcasses continuously along the twin track, with sensors and programming to control the operation. Modular design.
Ref. 245200110
Ask about a project →12
Hydraulic loading arms
Stainless steel arms with a built-in hydraulic unit to load carcasses: dock arm (up to 300 kg) and truck arm (up to 150 kg).
Ref. 245006060 · 245006065
See loading arms →Also available: continuous chain elevator, coloured plastic hangers and a special wheel for low temperatures. See all overhead rail parts at tiendabernad.com
Technical data
Materials and dimensions of the Birrail system
Aluminium where lightness matters and stainless steel where hygiene and wear matter: that is how our overhead rail is built.
Inside a trolley
- Central body in L-2640 aluminium alloy (stainless steel on request).
- PA6 nylon load wheels and guide rollers, with 6302-ZZ bearings.
- Stainless steel central axle, M12 × 60 bolt and M12 self-locking nut.
- Stainless fork with a Ø 13, 16 or 19 mm hole.
- Special wheel for low temperatures.
| Item | Features |
|---|---|
| Rail | Two extruded 6063 aluminium alloy profiles, grooved to fix the brackets. 4 m bars. |
| Brackets | Single and double, aluminium (on request, also in stainless steel). 180 × 153 mm. Supplied with clamps fitted. |
| Anchoring | Aluminium anchor clamps, M12 × 50 bolts, stainless nuts and washers; M8 stainless hammer-head bolts. |
| Curves | 45° and 90°, 360 mm radius, complete. |
| Switches | Single at 45° and 90°, double at 90° and triple at 90°. |
| Points | Stainless steel direction points: right, left and triple. |
| Trolleys | 2 or 4 wheels; aluminium body and PA6 nylon wheels with bearings. |
| Load | Standard beef installations usually work with 250–350 kg per trolley; capacity depends on the suspension structure and the spacing between brackets. Ø 18 mm stainless hook: beef carcasses up to 350 kg. |
| Hanging | Stainless steel hooks, gambrels, slings, pendants and hangers. |
| Track end | Stainless steel end stop set. |
| Arms | Aluminium or stainless steel, about 2,000 mm; stainless joint and end stop. |
Technical sheet
- Rail
- Two grooved extruded 6063 aluminium profiles. 4 m bars.
- Brackets
- Single and double, aluminium (on request, also in stainless steel). 180 × 153 mm.
- Anchoring
- Aluminium clamps and M12 and M8 stainless fixings.
- Curves
- 45° and 90°, 360 mm radius.
- Switches
- Single 45° and 90°, double 90° and triple 90°.
- Points
- Stainless: right, left and triple.
- Trolleys
- 2 or 4 wheels; aluminium and PA6 nylon with bearings.
- Load
- Usually 250–350 kg per trolley in standard beef installations (depending on structure and bracket spacing).
- Hanging
- Stainless hooks, gambrels, slings, pendants and hangers.
- Track end
- Stainless end stop.
- Arms
- Aluminium or stainless, about 2,000 mm.
Choose your trolley
Which trolley do you need for each piece?
The hanging element depends on the species and on how the meat is handled. This is the Birrail trolley range.
| Trolley | Used for | Data (catalogue) | Reference | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| With Ø 12 mm hook | Lamb and light pieces | Ø 12 mm hook · 1,105 g | 245120170 | View |
| With Ø 15 mm hook | Pork | Ø 15 mm hook · 1,260 g | 245120150 | View |
| With Ø 18 mm hook | Beef | Ø 18 mm hook · 1,595 g · beef carcasses up to 350 kg | 245120160 | View |
| With V gambrel for lamb | Lamb carcasses | 400 mm wide | 245120189 | View |
| With V gambrel for pork | Pork carcasses | 600 mm wide | 245120140 | View |
| With flat bar gambrel | Carcasses hung from a flat bar | 600 mm · 8 mm bar | 245120120 | View |
| With flat bar gambrel and slings | Hanging with chains | — | 245120180 | On request |
| With sling | Pieces needing flexible hanging | — | 245000110 | View |
| Pendants | Several pieces on one trolley | Rectangular fixed or folding, and round | 245000303–308 | View |
| Hanger for cuts | Cut pieces | 650 × 740 mm | 245120190 | View |
With Ø 12 / 15 / 18 mm hook
- Used for
- Lamb (Ø 12), pork (Ø 15) and beef (Ø 18)
- Trolley weight
- 1,105, 1,260 and 1,595 g
- Load
- Ø 18 mm hook: beef carcasses up to 350 kg
- Reference
- 245120170 · 245120150 · 245120160
With V gambrel
- Used for
- Lamb or pork carcasses
- Size
- 400 mm (lamb) and 600 mm (pork) wide
- Reference
- 245120189 · 245120140
With flat bar gambrel or sling
- Used for
- Carcasses hung from a flat bar or pieces needing flexible hanging
- Size
- 600 mm flat bar, 8 mm thick
- Reference
- 245120120 · 245120180 · 245000110
Pendants and hanger for cuts
- Used for
- Several pieces on one trolley
- Size
- Hanger 650 × 740 mm
- Reference
- 245000303–308 · 245120190
Not sure which one to choose? Tell us which species and pieces you handle and we will recommend the right trolley.
Installation types
Layouts for any route
Straight sections, curves and switches build the network each building needs: from a single straight line in a cold room to a network with branches to several cold rooms, the cutting room and the dock.
Lines and carcass rooms
Parallel straight sections with end stops to store carcasses in the cold room, and single switches to enter each line.
Cutting rooms
Route to the work tables with gravity drops to table and hangers for cut pieces.
Dispatch and docks
Swing-tilt arms for coupling to trucks and hydraulic loading arms to move carcasses from the room rail to the truck.
Applications
Overhead rail for every kind of meat plant
We have installed overhead rail in slaughterhouses, cutting rooms, cured meat factories and food distribution companies. These are its most common applications.
Slaughterhouses
Carcass transport from the line to chilling and the carcass rooms, with switches to distribute the product and trolleys for each species.
Rail network · switches · hooks and gambrels
Slaughterhouse machinery →Cutting rooms
Carcasses arrive hanging at the work tables and cuts are organised on hangers, with no manual lifting.
Drop to table · hangers · arms
See Cárnicas Gras →Carcass and chilling rooms
Parallel lines with end stops to store hanging carcasses and make the most of the cold room height.
Straight sections · pendants · low-temperature wheel
Cold rooms →Cured meat factories and drying rooms
Hangers, pendants and plastic hangers to move and hang pieces between processing rooms, cold rooms and drying rooms.
Hangers · pendants · plastic hangers
Industrial drying rooms →Sheep and goat
V gambrels for lamb, 12 mm hooks and round or rectangular pendants to hang several pieces on one trolley.
V gambrel · pendants · Ø 12 mm hook
See Manchacor →Dispatch and truck loading
Arms and truck rail that connect the room rail with the vehicle, to load and unload without handling carcasses by hand.
Arms · hydraulic arms · truck rail
See loading arms →Advantages
Why install overhead rail in your plant
Easy assemblyMinimal maintenanceEasy cleaningHigh strengthExcellent mobilityFits any spaceOwn design and manufacturing
Time savings
Carcasses and cuts roll along the rail, from the line to the cold room and from the cold room to cutting or to the truck.
Better use of space
The product hangs and leaves the floor free; curves and switches adapt to the shape of each building.
Easier, safer work
Staff push the load instead of lifting it, avoiding the overexertion that can lead to injuries.
How we work
From the idea to a working installation
We support you throughout the project, from small installations to large processing plants, with a technical team with extensive experience in the sector.
- Preliminary study
We analyse your facility and workflow and give you personalised advice.
- Project design
Rail network route on the drawing and structure design in 3D.
- Own manufacturing
We manufacture the Birrail rail ourselves: components of our own design, all compatible with each other.
- Installation and site management
Our technical team carries out the installation and manages the works.
- Spares and advice
Spare parts in the online shop and a technical team at your disposal.
Besides the overhead rail, we also take care of cold rooms, drying rooms and machinery, so you have a single point of contact for the whole project.
Dispatch
From the overhead rail to the truck
Hydraulic loading arms connect the room rail with the truck. They are built in stainless steel, with the hydraulic unit built in.
| Dock arm | Truck arm | |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum load | 300 kg | 150 kg |
| Installed power | 2.5 kW | 0.8 kW |
| Voltage | 380 V | 12 or 24 V |
| Useful rotation | 350° | 360° |
| Hook speed | 0.3 m/s | 0.16 m/s |
| Maximum reach | 2,961 mm | 2,221 mm |
| Maximum loading height | 2,691 mm | 2,404 mm |
| Reference | 245006060 | 245006065 |
Dock arm
- Maximum load
- 300 kg
- Power / voltage
- 2.5 kW · 380 V
- Useful rotation
- 350°
- Hook speed
- 0.3 m/s
- Max. reach / height
- 2,961 mm / 2,691 mm
Truck arm
- Maximum load
- 150 kg
- Power / voltage
- 0.8 kW · 12 or 24 V
- Useful rotation
- 360°
- Hook speed
- 0.16 m/s
- Max. reach / height
- 2,221 mm / 2,404 mm
To watch this video, please accept functional cookies.
Video (in Spanish): hydraulic dock loading arm connecting the overhead rail with the truck.
Real projects
Facilities with Bernad overhead rail
Some of the meat plants where we have designed and installed the rail network.
Benibaldo · Juan Navarro SelecciónTwo projects for the same client: the complete installation for Juan Navarro Selección (a Benibaldo, S.A. brand), with transcritical CO₂ refrigeration, twin track overhead rail and a hydraulic loading arm, and the Benibaldo facility, with a carcass room and rail network.See Juan Navarro →See Benibaldo →
Cárnicas PulidoIndustrial slaughterhouse: cold rooms and rail network for overhead meat transport.See the project →
Cárnicas GrasHam and sausage maker with its own cutting room: carcass room and twin track rail network.See the project →
Carnes AndaresComplete design and installation: cold rooms, drying rooms, cutting room, carcass room and overhead rail.See the project →
ManchacorDesign and installation of overhead rail and equipment for Manchega lamb products.See the project →
See all projectsMore Bernad installations: cold rooms, drying rooms, slaughterhouses and cutting rooms.Go to projects →
Installation gallery
Frequently asked questions
FAQ about overhead meat rail
What is a twin track (birrail) overhead rail?
It is a suspended transport system made of two parallel aluminium rails, anchored to the ceiling or a structure, on which trolleys with hooks, gambrels or pendants run. It is used to move carcasses and hanging cuts between the areas of a meat plant without touching the floor and without operators carrying the weight.
Where is it used?
In slaughterhouses, cutting rooms, carcass and chilling rooms, cured meat factories and drying rooms, and dispatch and truck loading areas. We design it for small installations as well as large processing plants.
What materials is it made of?
The rail consists of two extruded 6063 aluminium alloy profiles. Brackets are aluminium and fixings are stainless steel. Trolleys have an aluminium body and PA6 nylon wheels and rollers with bearings, and hooks, gambrels, pendants and hangers are stainless steel.
How much load can the overhead rail carry?
It depends on the suspension structure (ceiling, beams or a standalone structure) and on the spacing between brackets. Standard beef installations usually work with loads of 250 to 350 kg per trolley, and the 18 mm stainless hook is designed for beef carcasses up to 350 kg. We help you size your installation.
Which trolley or hook do I need for pork, beef or lamb?
For pork, the trolley with a 15 mm hook or a 600 mm V gambrel; for beef, the 18 mm hook; for lamb, the 12 mm hook, the 400 mm V gambrel or pendants, which carry several pieces on one trolley. For cuts there is the hanger for cuts.
Can it be adapted to the shape of my building or cold room?
Yes. With 45° and 90° curves (360 mm radius), single, double and triple switches and brackets anchored to the existing structure, the rail network fits almost any space. We carry out the preliminary study, the route drawing and the 3D structure design, and we manufacture the rail ourselves.
How are carcasses loaded onto the truck?
With swing-tilt arms for coupling to trucks, with twin track rail for the truck itself, or with hydraulic loading arms: the dock arm loads up to 300 kg and the truck arm up to 150 kg.
Can carcass handling be automated?
Yes. The automatic conveyor for twin track rail moves carcasses continuously, with sensors and programming to control the operation, and its modular design adapts to each installation. A continuous chain elevator is also available.
Can I buy individual parts or spares?
Yes. Rail, brackets, curves, switches, trolleys, hooks, pendants, hangers and arms are available in our online shop, tiendabernad.com. If you are not sure which part you need, call us on +34 967 219 649 or write to us.
Downloads
Twin track overhead rail catalogue
Rail, brackets, curves, switches, trolleys, hooks, gambrels, pendants, arms, truck rail, automatic conveyor and loading arms, with references and dimension drawings.
⬇ Download catalogue (PDF) PDF in Spanish · 30 pages · 8.7 MBDo you need overhead rail for your facility?
Tell us what you move and what your building is like: we will propose the layout and a no-obligation quote.
Associations we collaborate with
