new heights

WORLDWIDE HEAVY TRANSPORTATION AND LIFTING
Equipment News
ALE COMPLETES BUILD OF THE TROJAN TRUCKS
ALE has completed the build of the sixth and final Trojan truck in
May 2016.
The project was part of an ambitious programme initiated by ALE’s
UK branch to build six specialised heavy haulage ballast tractors
that could move heavier, larger loads whilst offering fuel efficiency
and reliability.
The six 8x8 trucks were built in-house in Hixon, Staffordshire, by a
team of 20 over three years.
Since the first Trojan moved a load on the UK road network in 2014,
it is estimated that the UK fleet has collectively moved in excess of
18,300t over UK heavy haulage routes to date.
Unveiled in October 2014, ALE’s Trojan 8870 trucks have gone from
strength to strength, receiving industry awards and recognition for
their innovation and capability.
NEW LIGHTWEIGHT SERVICE
CRANE IS IN PRODUCTION
ALE’s R&D department has commenced production of
the new Lightweight Service Crane. This exciting new
crane is fully designed out of light modular parts that can
be assembled by hand. Each part can fit in an elevator
or transported over an access walkway or stairs, making
it ideal for use on civil projects globally where space is
limited. The crane is expected to be available to the market
in November 2016.
Gary Butler, Operational Project Manager who oversaw the build
team, said: “The programme has been a real success; it has
enhanced the skill set of the in-house build team and given ALE an
innovative product that sets the bar for transportation and British
manufacturing. The team and I are really proud of the recognition
and it’s great to see the trucks so well received by the industry and
clients alike. We are really pleased with the trucks’ performance so
far and continue to make improvements and enhancements.”
One of the Trojan trucks is currently putting the truck’s parameter
adjustment technology to the test in Egypt’s 40°C heat, as it works
on a major power plant project involving the transportation of loads
in excess of 500t, whilst another will be working on a project
in Oman.
ALE PURCHASE NEW LR1750-2 WIDE
BOOM SYSTEM
ALE has enhanced its
cranes fleet with the latest
development from Liebherr,
the LR1750-2 crane. The
new wide boom system
has been purchased
specially to undertake the
handling scope for the
Siemens ‘Crane Framework
Agreement’ starting in the
UK in September 2016.
The wide boom system
provides a cost effective
solution and allows ALE to
minimise the need for larger
crawler cranes. With the
higher lifting capacities, the
crane will enable ALE to
handle heavier and longer
tower sections for the
project during the upending
and placement of tower
sections onto tower frames
in preparation for collection
by the offshore vessels.
ALE PROGRESS ON HEAVY DUTY JIB
FABRICATION
ALE are progressing with the
fabrication of the new heavy duty jib
that can fit onto both the AL.SK190
and AL.SK350 cranes. The new jib
will have lengths up to 100m and a
3,400t lifting capacity. The jib is a
modular design and can be assembled
in different configurations, as well as
fully containerised - which reduces
transport costs.
ALE started to build a heavy duty jib
in March and it has been designed
with the newest and strongest
available steel grades. In order to
weld this material to the highest
standard, fabricators and suppliers
will need specialist welding procedure
qualifications and welding procedure
specifications for every single weld,
as well as having to provide a fully
traceable material location plan and
a weld location plan.
All main components are being made
at European fabricators and are
currently in production. In addition, an
in-house engineering team, working
to R&D’s high control standards, will
update the control system to enhance
safety and make the operation of the
crane easier.
The build is expected to complete by
the end of the year.
ALE’s R&D team are working on
nearly fifty other projects, utilising the
experience and knowledge gained by
the fabrication of the AL.SK cranes
on the other projects. The variety of
these other projects range from newly
built equipment and maintenance
improvements to the improvement of
control systems of existing equipment.
ALE ENHANCE ITS MARINE SERVICES
ALE is expanding its marine services to provide full offshore barge transportation,
including brokering, chartering and hire, as well as full
turnkey marine operations.
As part of ALE’s commitment to offering a full turnkey service in the marine and
offshore sectors, barges will be provided from ALE’s own fleet as well
as in partnership with key suppliers.
The fleet includes different classes, such as 250’, 300’ and 400’ class barges as
well as ALE’s innovative Hydro Deck pontoon.
Darren Adams, ALE Director – UK, said: “By enhancing our overall marine
capabilities and offering a full barge package, it complements our core offering.
Teamed with our Marine Engineering division, we are proud to provide an
end-to-end service creating a holistic marine service to enable our clients to
execute their projects more efficiently.
By bringing this much needed service to the market, we can continue
to find the best solution for our clients to complete the job.”
The new barge fleet is an addition to ALE’s turnkey service, which includes services
from engineering and project management to the design of bespoke solutions
including ramps, grillages, sea-fastening, winches and ballast pumps.
ALE LAUNCH NEW FLEET OF
WIDENING TRAILERS IN THE UK
ALE has expanded its global fleet of trailers and
invested in the latest range of widening trailers that
can be widened to 4.3m whilst loaded, making these
the only trailers of their kind in the UK.
One of the main features is the lighter block ground
loading achieved with an axle beam that is 30% longer
and the axle spacing that is 10% greater than the
industry standard. As the trailers widen out to 4.3m
the weight is better spread and the load is distributed
more effectively. With an overall lighter block ground
loading, these trailers are more inclined to achieve
route clearance compared to other trailers.
As the shortest possible routes can be taken and
more routes available, more direct routes can be
used and less time will be spent on public roads,
meaning cost savings as well as reduced congestion
and disruption.
The trailers are expected to be recognised as a
more favourable solution for bridge owners and local
authorities as the wider distribution of axle weight
and gross load over the structure will result in less
stress on the bridge and bearings. By mitigating
these issues, it minimises wear and tear and ultimately
results in lower maintenance costs for bridge owners
and local authorities. As they can be widened whilst
loaded they will minimise street furniture removal.
This is because they can run at 3.6m wide and only
widen out when necessary.
“We wanted to update our existing fleet of trailers in
the UK and took the opportunity to capture additional
benefits. There was nothing on the market; we
approached Goldhofer with a technical solution for
a trailer that could be widened whilst loaded and
they created an innovative solution that matched our
requirements,” said Darren Adams, Director - UK.
“These new trailers can deliver on routes that others
simply cannot, with increased efficiency and speed to
get to site. These will prove a favourable alternative not
only for the authorities with reduced maintenance costs
and congestion on public roads, but for the clients as
well, as less time is spent on finding alternative routes,
meaning reduced engineering costs and less time
spent on structural assessments.
“These trailers improve our routing database and
offer a more time and cost effective solution overall
for everyone involved in road transportation.”
These new trailers will expand our current fleet
of widening trailers already based in Australia and
South Africa. ALE has purchased 50 axle lines of
these trailers for use on road transportation projects
across the UK.
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