20% grades and mountain switchbacks… and back in the day when there were no “blade tippers” available from the hydraulic platform trailer providers, so what’s a contractor to do? This was Invenergy’s first wind energy project located in the hills of east Tennessee and from every account a MW class turbine would be a very expensive endeavor getting to the top of the ridge to the planned turbine strings. Typical switchback modifications would make the project cost prohibitive and the steep grades were also intimidating. Barnhart brought together its heavy haul expertise along with engineering capabilities to develop a tool and a plan to successfully pull on the project. The main challenge was how do we get the blades up the mountain given the switchback constraints? A new blade trailer had to be developed. Using a tool off the shelf, Barnhart incorporated one of its Modular Lift Tower vertical support legs as the structure for the trailer and then designed front and rear attachments that supported the V80 blades from the root end and its lifting location. The front end provided a 20’ front overhang giving it the ability to swing into the ditches and out over the road edge and the rear end was supported by a hydraulic dolly that included over 5’ of vertical stroke which raised the tip end of the blade over 20’ This allowed to blade enough clearance on the inside turns and also the ability to swing out over trees and handle the dips along its journey. Providing additional efficiency, Barnhart made transport saddle also a lifting saddle so when the blade got the turbine location, rigging to the blade was seamless. Innovative thought coupled with strong project planning and leadership led to a highly successful project and a delighted customer.
