Combilift has made an entry into the offshore wind sector by unveiling its latest innovation – the Combi-LC. This product, born from collaboration between Combilift and Siemens Gamesa, is set to meet the load handling demands of large-scale offshore wind manufacturers, revolutionizing the transportation of wind turbine components.
Manufactured at Combilift’s headquarters and plant in Ireland, the Combi-LC is a game-changer for the offshore wind industry. It has been engineered to address the unique challenges posed by transporting wind turbine blades and towers throughout the production process and to storage locations. These components, with their impressive dimensions, can be cumbersome to move, but the Combi-LC rises to the occasion.
One of the standout features of the Combi-LC is its capacity to handle wind turbine components of up to 115 meters in length and weighing around 70 tons. This capability streamlines the logistical complexities associated with moving these colossal structures across production stages and to distant storage sites, sometimes spanning distances of up to 5 kilometers.
In an era where the green energy sector continually pushes the boundaries of size and height for wind turbine components, innovative transportation methods are paramount. Combilift has responded to this challenge by collaborating with industry giants to develop stable and highly efficient lifting solutions. The result is the Combi-LC, a product that embodies innovation and adaptability.
The Combi-LC boasts a unique attachment designed to securely grip the substantial cylindrical end of the blade, which is firmly affixed to the generator hub. This machine is driven by a 75-ton capacity diesel engine and is equipped with 12 wheels, offering versatile multidirectional steering with 6 wheels. What sets it apart is its “tip side” carrier unit, which smoothly maneuvers beneath the blade, supporting it via a hydraulic tilting table-mounted clamp toward its narrower tip.
Notably, this latest iteration of the Combi-LC introduces a cab, a customization made in response to customer feedback. The addition of the cab proves invaluable, especially when traversing the 5-kilometer distance to reach the storage yard. When not engaged in lifting duties, the cab-equipped Combi-LC can travel at 10 kilometers per hour, significantly expediting the operator’s commute. This is particularly crucial as these units often operate in demanding environments with less-than-ideal ground conditions.
The concept of customized Load Carriers is central to the Combi-LC’s design. It relies on two flexible remote-control units with adaptable low-level chassis beds. These units can operate in master-slave mode, with dimensions and wheel configurations tailored to the specific load type and weight, ensuring versatility and efficiency in handling various wind turbine components.
“We are thrilled to have launched this new product – The Combi-LC, and we hope it will act as a gateway for us to further progress within our venture into the wind energy sector. The scale of offshore wind projects around the world leads to a very unique set of challenges, one of which being the ability to transport the very large components that make up a wind turbine. We recognised this and used our expertise in load handling to develop a solution to support those in the industry. The product is specifically made to order and therefore can be uniquely customised to fit specific applications,” said Josh Moffett, Heavy Equipment Manager at Combilift
