Roll-Lift USA hauls turbine blades to Texas wind farm

05 May 2020

Green technology has become an increasingly social topic, and wind energy occupies a key position within this debate. Taller wind towers and longer blades present new challenges, especially for crane, rigging and heavy haul companies. 

Roll-Lift USA, based in Dayton, TX, recently took on the job of hauling a new delivery of wind turbine blades. This was the perfect mission for Roll-Lift’s four 3-axle TeleMAX trailers and trucks. With their four extensions, these trailers reach a total open length of 200 feet. They have a 176-foot deck length and a 24-foot non-load bearing pull-out to allow for a longer overhang.

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Roll-Lift USA picked up the blades from a ship at the Port of Houston.

At the port of Houston, the Roll-Lift USA team unloaded the wind turbine blades. They were lifted in tandem by a Manitowoc crane rigged to a pedestal and one of the vessel’s cranes.

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With their four extensions, the 3-axle TeleMAX trailers reach a total open length of 200 feet. They have a 176-foot deck length and a 24-foot non-load bearing pull-out to allow for a longer overhang.

“We are hauling these blades with our Faymonville trailers, so this must be the Rolls-Royce of extendables,” said Denis Brouwer, president of Roll-Lift USA, referring to the stretch flat deck trailers from Faymonville. “I witnessed the operator extending it, and it runs like clockwork,” added Brouwer. “The hydraulic legs as well as the simple locking mechanism makes it so much easier to operate. They are useful tools to support the stretching process of the platform. The TeleMAX convinces that length matters and the smooth operation make it the ideal transport solution for Roll-Lift USA when transporting components for the wind industry.”

Faymonville has a long history and experience with this type of trailer that has been adapted to North American Department of Transportation standards with regards to the air and electrical systems. Its lightweight construction increases the payload capacity, and the low loading deck height helps to avoid height clearance issues such as bridges. In order to reach the highest possible steering angle of 55 degrees, the TeleMAX trailers are equipped with a double race turntable steering system. Finally, the override remote control steering allows it to maneuver around tight turns, whether in mountainous or densely populated regions.

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The blades were transported to a wind farm in Texas.

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