UK transport company Collett & Sons, for example, has a purpose-designed 110 tonne capacity straddle carrier to handle larger wind turbine components. The fleet also includes special purpose vehicles, including MAN 6×6 tractor units, for extra pulling and towing duties. Trailers in the fleet include 18 to 48 metre extendable and steerable blade types by Nooteboom, Broshuis and Doll. For transporting blades up to 85 m long the company uses blade trailers and bogies from Scheuerle and Doll. To transport tower sections up to 40 m long and a diameter of more than 4.3, but less than 5.5 m and weighing no more than 100 tonnes, Collett uses tower trailers, lift adapters and clamps from Scheuerle and Nooteboom.

For quayside and storage area operations, Collett uses self propelled modular transporter (SPMT). For manoeuvring offshore wind turbine components, nacelles up to 600 tonnes and tower sections up to 450 tonnes, the company uses Scheuerle modular systems with 6 to 600 axle lines, with a capacity of 40 tonnes per axle line.

“In 2014 we opened a new facility in Grangemouth, Scotland, to mirror the success of the Goole operation facility specifically to handle WTG components,” David Collett, Collett & Sons managing director, said, “The first project has just been completed through this facility, where 3.4 MW turbines have been discharged, stored, handled and delivered to the Muirhall wind farm. A special feature of the facility is an identical 110 tonne capacity straddle carrier and top lift to handle components.”