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GLOBALLY UNIQUE! Transformer transport: with SCHEUERLE SPMTs in the power plant cavern of the Limberg Tunnel
For a pumped-storage plant in Kaprun, the company Felbermayr Transport und Hebetechnik heavy load specialists took on the task of transporting a 220 t transformer. The transportation route to the final destination over 300 km away was mastered by means of a low-bed railway car and 16 SCHEUERLE SPMT axle lines.
The almost 40 m long total combination shortly before reaching the entrance of the tunnel. A strong performance in spite of the 12% gradient. © Photo: Verbund/Schweinöster
Moving the 220 t transformator onto 16 axle lines of the SCHEUERLE SPMTs at the Maishofen railway terminus. © Photo: Verbund/Schweinöster
The 10 metre long, 3.5 metre wide and 4.3 metre transformer underway on public roads. © Photo: Verbund/Schweinöster
Entering the Schrahnbach Tunnel. © Photo: Verbund/Schweinöster
The oldest large-scale power plant of what is now known as the Verbund Austrian Hydro Power AG is the Kaprun facility which went online in 1955. As of 2012, two additional machine units will produce altogether 480 megawatts of renewable energy. With a length of around 10 m, a width of 3.5 m and a height of 4.3 m, the transformer was a considerable size for transporting into the power station cavern. To ensure that this unique special transportation assignment went ahead as smoothly as possible, Felbermayr carried out a test run in the 5 km long Limburg tunnel system with SCHEUERLE SPMTs in order to check the spatial geometry of the galleries. Together, the SPMT units + side girder deck + dummy transformer constellation had a total transportation weight of 420 t and had to negotiate a gradient of 12%. A SPMT transport of this kind is unique world-wide.
After successfully completing the test run, the actual transport could now take place. Following the arrival of the transformer by rail in Maishofen, the load was placed on 16 axle lines of SCHEUERLE SPMTs (self-propelled modular transporters). For this, 2 x 8 SPMT axle lines were used in the so-called loose coupling mode and included two Power Pack Units of the type Z350. By means of the SCHEUERLE electronics system along with a data cable link between the two engine units, this combination could be steered using only one remote control and by one person. For mastering the twenty kilometre route up to the construction site facility and the subsequent 12% gradient, a special construction was realised which facilitated the use of an additional tractor - coupled as a precautionary measure - for supporting the 1,000-horsepower Power Packs of the SCHEUERLE SPMTs. A further reason for the successful completion of the transportation assignment was the use of a special SPMT series featuring 4 driven pendulum axles per 4-axle unit resulting in a total of 2,080 kN tractive power. Five of the last six kilometers passed through the so-called Schrahnbach Tunnel. The extremely narrow conditions presented a particular challenge to the transport team. However, due to the almost unrestricted manoeuvrability of the SCHEUERLE SPMT technology and extensive experience of the Felbermayr transportation team, the transformer could be safely moved to the power station inside of the mountain.
SCHEUERLE SPMT Technology
SCHEUERLE SPMTs are based on the experience gained from the development and production of more than 5,500 axle lines. With our technology, loads of 16,000 tonnes and more are safely and reliably transported to their places of use, e.g. factory modules for power stations, seawater desalination installations and oil exploration equipment as well as offshore platforms. The use of SCHEUERLE SPMTs in combination with SCHEUERLE-developed steering technology allows the exact positioning of ultra-heavy loads. The individual modular transporters can be linked with one another in any combination, can be coupled mechanically or arranged in a loose coupling mode on an area up to a maximum 600 x 600 metres.
SCHEUERLE steering technology guarantees synchronised steering of all transportation units integrated in the vehicle group. The electronically controlled multi-directional steering specially developed by SCHEUERLE ensures that the modular transporter is extremely flexible and manoeuvrable. Steering is carried out either by remote control or cable control, or via a driver´s cab coupled for longer transportation routes.
Production of the new fourth generation of SCHEUERLE SPMTs has been optimised through the use of the latest welding robot technology and faster delivery times can be realized. Compared to the existing third generation with an axle load of 40 t / axle line, this new fourth generation has an axle load of 48 t. Both generations guarantee compatibility to the preceding series of modular transporters.
SCHEUERLE Fahrzeugfabrik GmbH:
Transporters from SCHEUERLE are recognised across the world for their advanced technology and special product quality. Reliability in daily use, high load capacity and a long service life make the vehicles a very important component of modern logistical operations. The history of vehicle technology for heavy transport vehicles is closely connected with the name of SCHEUERLE and the company has a well-earned reputation of linking tradition and innovation. Together with KAMAG Transporttechnik in Ulm and NICOLAS Industries in Champs-sur-Yonne, France, SCHEUERLE belongs to the group of companies owned by the Heilbronn industrialist, Otto Rettenmaier. Within the group, the "TII – Transporter Industry International" heavy-load division is global market leader in the development and production of heavy load vehicles.
