Tower side loading innovation

Scheuerle announced plans for an innovative way of loading wind turbine tower sections at April's Bauma exhibition in April.

When delivering tower segments to their place of assembly, portal deck combinations are frequently used. There can be delays, however, due to hold ups with the crane or strong winds, says the manufacturer.

To solve these problems Scheuerle is developing the Side Loader trailer. The system is connected twice between two self-propelled vehicle units which are operated in a loose coupling mode.

The units are positioned independently of each other parallel to the portal deck combination by using a remote control, for example, in front of the flange.

The support legs are folded up hydraulically and the side loader is then lowered and telescoped outwards. After fastening the retaining head to the tower flange, the side loader is raised alongside and telescoped inwards. The tower section is brought up on the self propelled units. Once this has been achieved the portal deck combination is free to leave the jobsite.

The tower section is positioned on prism-like bolsters that are covered with a protective rubber surface. Both units are coupled via a cable meaning it can be operated using one remote control.