Collett adds Goldhofer blade lifter

New Goldhofer FTV850 Blade Lifter for Collett & Sons

Transport specialist Collett & Sons in the UK added a Goldhofer FTV850 Blade Lifter to its wind turbine transport fleet.

It is the company’s second blade lifter trailer. The FTV850 consists of four main elements: the lifting module, 8-axle split lines, 6 driven axle lines and a 530 bhp Addrive 2.0 power pack unit (PPU). As per its model designation it is rated at 850 tonne-metres and can carry blades as long as 100 metres.

Wind turbine blades can be elevated up to an angle of 60 degrees and rotated through a full 360 degrees of pitch. In addition to clearing obstacles it allows the operator to feather the blade to a position where it is least affected by wind on the blade.

From left: Jack Collett, renewables director, Collett & Sons; Mark Howe, UK & Ireland sales manager, Goldhofer; David Collett, managing director, Collett & Sons; Sam Collett, director, Collett & Sons

Adjustment for stability

The split axle lines allow four positions of width adjustment, between 3 and 4 metres. This helps increase stability and weight distribution for blades of different sizes, weights and centre of gravity.

Commenting on the latest addition to the fleet Jack Collett, renewables director at Colletts, said, “With the arrival of our second Blade Lifter, we’re able to transport larger turbine blades more efficiently and safely than ever before. Operating both trailers together provides the flexibility and capacity our clients need on complex renewable energy projects.”

Delivery is due in February 2026 and it will be put to work on the Sanquhar II wind farm project in Scotland. It is a 44 turbine extension to an existing farm with a generating capacity of 308 MW.