Trailing Dolly Solution Proves Its Worth

Express delivery for new-generation wind turbine blades

Hofmann Kran-Vermietung is now using "BLADES" to handle the latest generation of wind turbine blades.

For transporting extra-long wind turbine blades, Hofmann Kran-Vermietung GmbH & Co. KG of Paderborn is now using the new "BLADES" blade hauler in combination with Goldhofer's self-tracking trailing dolly. The German company, whose portfolio includes work platforms, heavy transport vehicles and industrial erection in addition to crane rentals, is one of the first companies to invest in the trailing dolly solution, which was introduced only last year. On their latest job, which included the transportation of three 75-meter-long wind turbine blades from Rostock to the Hopsten-Schale wind farm more than 400 kilometers away, their new equipment was again the key to safe and punctual delivery.

In order to transport three wind turbine blades from the German coast of the Baltic Sea to their destination in Hopsten, Westphalia, the Paderborn heavy haulage experts relied entirely on special vehicles from the house of Goldhofer. The over 400-kilometer journey from Rostock was mainly on motorways, and it was possible to make reliable calculations of the expected forces acting on the blades and vehicle components. The fact that the three vehicle combinations, each over 82 meters long, were able to complete the journey in the record time of three days was mainly due to the use of the new "BLADES" in combination with a trailing dolly from Goldhofer. The combination of a blade root carrier on the gooseneck and a five-axle trailing dolly with pneumatic suspension plus turntable and blade support is a new industry benchmark.

With this system, several roundabouts and tight turns were negotiated without any difficulties. As the turbine blade itself has a structural function within the configuration, the solution offers significantly higher ground clearance than extendable vehicles so that the blade simply passes over various obstacles.

The new vehicles were first presented as a concept for the economical transportation of turbine blades in 2019 and were the subject of discussions with Hofmann following approval by the blade manufacturers. “We were immediately convinced by the advantages. The blade is carried unsupported between the free-turning device behind the tractor and the trailing dolly. This permits higher travel speeds of up to 80 kph and also greatly simplifies route planning,” says Sven Wolter, transport planner at the Hofmann company.

The turbine blade is transported high enough to pass over a wide range of obstacles.

Wide range of applications

Goldhofer's "BLADES" is available in a number of different combinations. Through the use of a 5-axle tractor and/or dollies, for example, the system offers scope for a variety of applications. Further combinations have already been sold throughout Europe, and demand is steadily growing.

As a practical feature, the trailing axle can be coupled directly to the free-turning device when running empty. This turns "BLADES" into a standard tractor-trailer with variable-load lift axles to reduce tire wear. Thanks to the flexibility of the system, "BLADES" can also be used to transport other extra-long loads, such as precast concrete elements.