01.11.2010

Reach stackers handle turbine parts

UK based crawler crane rental company Weldex has purchased two modified Hyster ReachStackers to handle large wind turbine components for Siemens Wind Power at the Port of Mostyn in North Wales.

The customised Hyster RS 46-41L CH ReachStackers have been supplied by Barloworld Handling and are said to be faster, more efficient and economical for this job than using crawler cranes and trailers.

A typical job involves lifting and carrying the 100 tonne tower sections from the quay side, where they arrive from Denmark, to the storage area. The machines are also used individually to handle the 50 tonne hubs.
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Two Hyster RS 46-41L CH ReachStackers lift and carry a 100 tonne turbine tower section

The Hysters were modified to by Barloworld, in conjunction with Hyster’s Special Engineering Department, to enable them to work like large industrial pick and carry cranes. The units weight 84 tonnes, have a tip height of 18.2 metres and can travel at up to 24kph. The massive spreader attachment has been replaced with a simple fixed hook with heavy duty swivel.

Eddie Campbell, lifting operations and safety manager for Weldex said: “At Mostyn we have pioneered a new method of handling these heavy loads. We use the ReachStackers to handle the wind farm tower sections and the hubs for the turbines. Previously we used a combination of crawler cranes and multi-axle trailers”.

“We have significantly reduced our capital expenditure on lifting equipment at Mostyn and fewer people are required in the lifting process. The ReachStackers have also helped improve the safety of the operation and the handling is now much faster”.

“Reliability is also critical in this operation to ensure ships are unloaded and reloaded quickly and safely.”

The Port of Mostyn has become a major base for the offshore wind power industry and has supported several major projects over the past five years. The wind farm components are manufactured in Denmark and transported to the port on ships where they are unloaded to be stored until they are ready to be erected.