SPMT lights ensure safe operations

Heavy lifting and transport specialist Mammoet has started using a new safety-enhancing lighting system on its self-propelled modular transporters (SPMTs).

The system, which is said to provide excellent visibility underneath the moving vehicle, has been developed on the initiative of Mammoet in cooperation with Scheuerle, a manufacturer of vehicles with hydraulically suspended pendulum axles.

Based on a self-developed lighting system by Mammoet that can be magnetically attached to SPMTs, Scheuerle tested many prototypes to find the best light source and positioning to prevent unwanted shadows.

Mammoet eventually chose a system using light emitting diode (LED) technology. LEDs require so little power that they cause no problems with the SPMT power supply provided by power pack units.

The LED light sources are installed directly over the wheels – one for each axle, or 12 LED lamps per six axle lines of SPMT – and can be switched and adjusted as needed, ensuring an ideal scope of the light beam.

Operators are said to profit from the improved visibility of road conditions, vehicle position, and operating levers or valves at night and in bad weather. Furthermore, flat tyres as well as leakage of the hydraulic system will be clearly visible so they can be detected and fixed immediately.

The SPMT lighting system improves the operator’s control over the vehicles by making obstacles like stones, bumps or holes on the transport route visible.

At the same time, the system helps to reduce personal injury in two different ways. First, the operator can see people approaching the moving vehicle. Second, people around the vehicle can see every movement, wheel adjustment or manoeuvre and safely avoid it.