ALE increases skidding capacity

Heavy handling, transport and installation specialist ALE has designed and built a new self-propelled skid system, the SS800, with 800 tonne capacity skid shoes. In total, 48 units of 800 tonne skid shoes, 12 x 83 tonne push-pull units and 190 sections of 5 metre skid track have been built.

ALE said the 800 tonne capacity skid shoe is a logical move after having built the 150, 300, 500, 650 and 1,200 tonne skid shoes. “We believe skid systems have a great future,” explained ALE Ronald Hoefmans, technical director. “The loads nowadays are becoming so heavy, but are still compact and need compact transport systems with high capacities to move them.”

The system also has a new generation control system with stroke and pressure control, as well as a variable skidding speed to reduce acceleration and deceleration during start up and stopping of the movement, ALE said.

The system was designed in-house at ALE’s R&D facility in Breda, Netherlands, and the company said it has increased its overall skidding capacity by 38,400 tonnes. The high capacity skid shoes are suitable for site moves, load-outs and other heavy transport work worldwide. ALE said they have already been shipped off to work on their first projects.