German heavy haulage specialist Goldhofer has unveiled its biggest ever blade lifter – the FTV 850 – designed for maximum safety and stability when transporting wind turbine rotor blades. The trailer can be used not only in the standard 3-m width but also with split combinations in widths of up to over 4 m.

Depending on the configuration, even the latest generation of rotor blades requiring a load moment of up to 850 meter-ton can be picked up and transported with full flexibility in the towed or self-propelled mode, according to Goldhofer.

With the split-combination option and mounting behind the loading area, the FTV 850 offers significantly high stability combined with low ballast weight. This results in a transportation system with a low centre of gravity and maximum protection from tipping. It also ensures low axle loads and cost-effective operations. 

The FTV 850 has been launched as the “big brother” to the popular Goldhofer FTV 550. Depending on the job on hand, a wide range of options is available with adapters for various parallel combinations. This makes the FTV 850 ideal for transporting extra-long rotor blades for turbines on sites with low wind speeds, said Goldhofer.

The new FTV 850 is Goldhofer’s latest addition to its portfolio of dedicated products for rotor blade transportation. Based on the same concept as the FTV 300 and FTV 550, these highly flexible transport systems can be used in both the towed and the self-propelled mode.

The mounted rotor blade can be freely rotated around its own axis and raised up to an angle of 60 degrees so that tight bends, buildings and roadside trees are no obstacle, added Goldhofer. “That is the key to much more environment-friendly operations than with conventional solutions.”

Moreover, the FTV 850 features fast and efficient set-up of the desired configuration and can be combined with a large number of Goldhofer modules, such as the PST/SL-E, THP/SL and ADDrive.

The first Goldhofer FTV 850s are already on their way to several companies worldwide, including Anipsotiki, Denzai and Laso.

Images: Anipsotiki