ALE has successfully transported 30 components making up two new Sandvik bucket wheel stacker reclaimers inside Richards Bay Coal Terminal, South Africa in June. The components weighed between 16-139 t and ranged in dimension, with the widest measuring 10 m, the highest measuring 18.9 m and the longest measuring 63 m.

ALE received the components with the ship’s gear at Richards Bay Coal Terminal and transported them 1.2 km to the laydown area using 28 axle lines of SPT in a configuration of 4 file 14. The lighter components were staged at the quay and loaded with a reach stacker or mobile crane onto 8 axle lines of conventional trailer.

There were two heavylift items, the tripper car and the bucket wheel boom (measuring 63 m long), that were transported in specialised support frames so they could be carried at height to clear obstacles on the route.

“During the project we worked very closely with the client to find a solution that would reduce the road works as much as possible. By designing a bespoke support frame for the particularly long components, we could provide a solution that could clear the route,” explained Project Manager Vivian Young.

“We also faced the challenge of working within a confined space at the port, with limited storage facilities. This meant that we had to devise a plan to transport all pieces directly to site within a short period of time of six days. This project demonstrates our capabilities within the mining sector to deliver a bespoke and quickly-mobilised transport solutions.” It took just eight days to receive and deliver all 30 components.