'Mr Classic' himself 'Wor Bobby' Tuck (he's a North Easterner yer know) has sent me this selection of shots of windmill columns being transported and he says: "Hi Brian, I know you asked for something from the road run to Campbeltown which I've just done but before I send you a sample of what went on, I thought you might like to see what was on the Campbeltown dock last Friday night."
Now I'm a bit confused Bobby as they are Danish-registered trucks but have the words Bill Livingstone on the side...what gives? Anyway Bob continues: "They've been building wind mills near Campbeltown for the last 5 years but I was told the factory is closing (because the grants are drying up) and 90 folk are being made redundant. This Danish/Scottish ensemble were waiting for a boat to come in (Saturday lunchtime) that would take them to Troon and they would then drive across country to Dunbar before delivering to a new wind farm going up there. Would certainly fancy driving one of these. Bob."
Great shots Bob---configuration seems to include a two-axle jeep dolley too...are the columns that heavy? Anyway click though here for a couple more picture...
Smart looking 8x4 rigs anyway Bob..but why Danish?
Interesting 'trailer' with the front fixing complete with hydraulic rams...can you tell us more how it all works Bob?
Sorry Brian but I forgot to ask the Scottish crew what their gross weight was (I'd just had a long day driving 150 miles from Glasgow in a 1967 Scania Vabis LB76 so my journalistic edge was rather dull)but they did say the Volvos were rated for 150 tonnes. They won't be that heavy but the style of transport you are asking about is called end suspension. To keep the running height down the load is carried between two book ends. The smaller tyred dolly is used to keep the front end of the load away from the load. Yes, the so called book ends have to be tightly secured - and strong - but the technique is long established. And as you can see, it works.
Bill Livingston is the Scottish manager of Give Svaergods Transport Ltd. The company is owned by Finn Hansen, Denmark.
These trucks are bought in Denmark and should be registered in Scotland as soon as possible.
it didnt look that good when it was on its side in buttevant cork twice last week did it bob ?