Scheuerle provided a mix of transport solutions to Ambau in Cuxhaven for the delivery of offshore wind turbine transition pieces. Ambau manufactures steel towers and foundation structures at Cuxhaven, at the mouth of the River Elbe on Germany's North Sea coast. These include giant transition pieces, designed to connect offshore wind turbines to their foundations.
The transition pieces are manufactured horizontally. They are moved from their fabrication site to an outside storage area on a transporter platform consisting of Scheuerle IHT industrial lift transporters and SPMT selfpropelled modular transporters.
The IHTs at the front of the platform support what will become the top of the transition piece. The SPMTs at the rear are fitted with a tipping device, attached to the base of the piece. The platform is steered using a single remote control. Specially-made foamed polyfill tyres allow axle line loads of up to 48t.
The platform is driven close to a Terex crawler crane. The front, top, of the transition piece is hooked onto the crane. With the crane supporting the load, the IHTs can be driven away. As the crane slowly lifts the transition piece, the SPMTs are driven forward, tipping the load upright.
The crane continues to lift, allowing the SPMTs to be moved clear of the erection area. The tipping device is then dismantled from the SPMTs.
With the crane supporting the transition piece, a frame at the base of the structure is fitted with supporting legs.
The SPMTs are returned to the erection area. The height of the transport platform is lowered to 1,150mm, using the SPMTs +/-700mm hydraulic suspension system. The SPMTs can then drive under the support frame. The SPMTs are jacked up again by the suspension, lifting the transition piece from the ground, so it can be driven to a storage area.
Source and photo: Cranes Today Magazine
