Transporting XXL wind turbine blades is no ordinary feat—it demands raw power, surgical precision, and engineering. In the densely forested region of Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany, narrow rural roads and sharp bends added extra layers of complexity to a recent wind energy project. But it was here, amid the woods near the village of Zerf, that Cometto’s BladeMAX1000 blade lifter made its impressive debut.
At the heart of the operation stood Hofmann, a seasoned heavy transport specialist. Their challenge: to deliver massive 81-meter-long wind turbine blades through a labyrinth of forest paths to the new “Zerfer Schneeberg” wind park. Between sawmill halls and stacks of timber, the blades awaited their journey to the installation site. With skies clear and blue, the 12-axle Cometto MSPE self-propelled combination was ready. The BladeMAX1000 was mounted and primed for action.
“All systems go,” confirmed the team, as operator Sven Wolter activated the SPMT unit. As the convoy joined the B407 federal road, the BladeMAX1000 lifted the colossal blade high above the treetops, creating a surreal scene that left residents and motorists reaching for their phones to capture the moment.
Navigating the winding paths and sudden inclines of the forest road tested both the equipment and the crew. But it was precisely here that Cometto’s patented Stability Control System (SCS) demonstrated its full potential. The SCS automatically distributed balance across all four support groups and 48 electronically steered wheels, delivering unmatched stability and eliminating blade oscillation—even at a 60-degree tilt into the wind.
“Thanks to the SCS, the operator can concentrate fully on maneuvering, while the system handles the balance,” said Joachim Kolb, Cometto Sales Manager. “No comparable vehicle offers this level of control.”
As the convoy advanced, the surrounding turbines—already towering at a hub height of 164 meters—offered a preview of the destination. With calculated precision, Hofmann’s team guided the blade through the forest bends, lifting it gracefully above the evergreens. After two kilometers, the BladeMAX1000 delivered the load to the installation site, where a towering 177-meter LR1800 crawler crane waited to mount the blade. A second team stepped in to detach the root bolts and complete the installation.
In total, Hofmann successfully transported 15 blades and numerous tower segments for the project. The wind park, located in the Trier-Saarburg district, will feature five Nordex turbines (models N163 and N149), each generating 5.7 megawatts. Once operational, the site will produce approximately 81 million kilowatt-hours of renewable electricity per year.
“With a load capacity of 1,000 meter-tons, it’s unmatched on the market,” said project leader Dieter Abt. “Everything we were promised was delivered—our expectations weren’t just met, they were exceeded. This vehicle is a game-changer, and we’re proud to move into the future with it.
