Tower on trailer

Norway: Aker Verdal, a manufacturer of oil and gas offshore modules and platforms, is using two Goldhofer trailers to move its Liebherr HC3150 tower crane around its yard. The frame of the tower crane has been designed to allow hydraulic modular trailers to be driven underneath and lift the fully assembled crane. Aker Verdal demonstrated the trailer solution by moving the tower crane almost 1 km across the yard. Two Goldhofer modular trailers, each with 18 axle lines, – a total of 288wheels – were positioned underneath the tower crane's base frame. The trailers' hydraulic suspension, with its 24 inch (600 mm) stroke, provided the necessary lift. Despite the relatively short distance to be covered, three 90 degree turns had to be negotiated. Although both trailers were not mechanically coupled, and were a long way apart, the system adapted the radius of the outer trailer to that of the inner one to guarantee a parallel move of both trailers during all phases of the operation. Aker Verdal's crew used Volvo wheel loaders, with specially adapted front racks, for traction.