Nooteboom launches XXL wind trailer

Netherlands-based manufacturer Nooteboom has expanded its range for transporting wind turbines with its new Mega Windmill Trailer XXL (MWT-XXL).

Poland-based transport company Transannaberg from Poland putting the first Nooteboom MWT-XXL into operation. (Photo: Nooteboom)

Due to the trailer’s double, hydraulically height-adjustable A-frame, it is capable of transporting larger tower sections than before. The load is clamped using a unique three-point system. The load capacity is approximately 100 tonnes and the empty trailer remains well below 4 meters in height.

Additionally, tower sections with smaller diameters and turbine nacelles, for instance, can also be more easily transported.

Recently, Poland-based transport company Transannaberg from Poland put the first Nooteboom MWT-XXL into operation.

Testing

The trailer undergoing stability testing. (Photo: Nooteboom)

In addition to standard theoretical calculations, Nooteboom conducted stability tests at the RDW test track in Lelystad, the Netherlands, examining the differences in road behaviour between air suspension and hydraulic suspension.

These tests revealed that the new 2.84 metre wide Nooteboom self-steered dolly with air suspension is at least as stable as a comparable trailer with hydraulic suspension and pendulum axles.

Air suspension

When it comes to air suspension, the driver now receives a visible warning in advance as the vehicle starts to lean over so that they can reduce their speed.

When an air-suspended axle compresses fully due to large road irregularities, pressure remains in the suspension system, allowing other axles to continue bearing the load. In such situations with hydraulic suspension, the pressure in the suspension system is lost and the compressed axle is much more overloaded. Lastly, air suspension is more environmentally friendly, simply because the vehicle uses less hydraulic oil.

Diagram explaining the rise in centre of gravity with larger diameters comparison of MWT, MWT-XL, and MWT-XXL. (Photo: Nooteboom)

Adjustable hooks

A new option on the Nooteboom MWT-XXL is adjustable hooks that clamp the tower at the base. These hooks are easily adjustable, enabling the safe loading and transport of tower sections with flanges that are thicker, thinner, or significantly different in shape without additional tools.

This makes the new generation of MWTs even more universal for wind turbine component transport.

Transannaberg has already implemented these adjustable hooks in practice.

The latest MWT-XXL comes standard with a 2.84 metre wide self-steered dolly, but Nooteboom can also supply the MWT for smaller diameters with a 2.55 metre wide self-steered dolly. This narrower dolly takes up less road space and remains under the legally permissible vehicle width when empty, which is advantageous for obtaining permits in several European countries.