How should ties be pulled according to track maintenance standards?

The correct method for pulling ties, according to track maintenance standards, is typically by hand. This approach allows for greater control during the process, reducing the risk of damaging nearby track infrastructure or other components. Manual tie pulling also helps workers assess the condition of the surrounding materials more closely, ensuring that adjustments or repairs can be made as needed during the work.

Using machinery or mechanical methods, although efficient, can be less precise and might not be suitable in all sections of the track, especially where working space is limited or when the integrity of existing track components needs to be preserved. Similarly, relying solely on tools may not provide the same level of sensory feedback and control that hand pulling offers, thereby increasing the chance of inadvertently harming the track structure.