On the rugged highlands of northern Scotland, a tracked articulated boom lift traverses muddy ground, precisely delivering a maintenance platform to the 80-meter-high wind turbine nacelle work site. German wind power maintenance engineer Hans Müller calmly controls the entire process via remote control.
Wind power maintenance teams often face challenges when operating in mountainous regions of Europe. Traditional wheeled aerial work platforms struggle to move on soft ground and steep slopes, while large lifting equipment is inconvenient to transport and expensive.
In October of this year, Hans's company, European Renewable Energy Solutions, introduced the CATHAY tracked articulated boom lift. This equipment reduces ground pressure by approximately 45% compared to traditional equipment and is specifically designed for complex terrain.
01 Wind Power Maintenance Challenges
Hans's team is responsible for maintaining a coastal wind farm in northern Scotland, where the terrain is complex, with soft ground and varying slopes. Traditional aerial work equipment is inefficient here.
"We used to use wheeled aerial work platforms, but they often sank in this soft ground, requiring additional steel plates," Hans recalled. "Sometimes, just getting to a wind turbine could take half a day of preparation."
Even more challenging was the fact that wind turbines are typically located in remote areas with poor road conditions, making the transport of large equipment difficult. Hans had calculated that, using traditional methods, maintaining a wind turbine took an average of 2.5 days, with most of that time spent on equipment preparation and positioning.
02 Technical Solution The CATHAY tracked articulated boom lift offered Hans a turning point.
This equipment features an advanced rubber track chassis design, a maximum working height of 24 meters, and a horizontal reach of 11 meters.
"What impressed me most was its intelligent control system," Hans said, pointing to the operating interface. "The equipment can automatically adapt to changes in slope, keeping the platform level at all times, which is crucial for high-altitude operations."
The equipment's remote control operating system allows operators to safely control it within a 150-meter range. Hans explained, "I can stand in a safe position, clearly observe the entire working environment, and precisely control the equipment's movements."
03 Significantly Improved Efficiency
In actual wind power maintenance operations, this CATHAY equipment performed remarkably well. Wind turbine maintenance work that previously took 2.5 days can now be completed in just one day.
The equipment's mobility in complex terrain is particularly outstanding. "It can easily cross 1.5-meter-wide ditches and has a climbing ability of up to 30 degrees," Hans noted. "This completely changes the way we work in difficult terrain."
The improved maintenance efficiency also brought significant cost savings. Work that previously required a team of six can now be completed by only three people, reducing labor costs by approximately 50%.
04 Safety and Reliability
Safety performance is the aspect that Hans' team is most concerned about. This tracked articulated boom lift is equipped with multiple safety systems, including real-time load monitoring, tilt warning, and an emergency descent device.
"The equipment's platform load monitoring system is highly accurate, displaying the current load in real time and issuing an alarm when it approaches a safety threshold," Hans emphasized this safety feature.
The equipment's stability and reliability have been proven in actual operation. "Even in strong winds, the platform remains stable, providing a safe working environment for maintenance personnel," Hans added.
Hans monitors the equipment's operating status in real time via a smart tablet, which clearly displays key data such as working height, platform load, and system status.
"This data is automatically recorded and reports are generated, greatly simplifying our workflow," he said. In the distance, the bright yellow tracked articulated boom lift is moving along its predetermined route to the next wind turbine, leaving a clear track track on the Scottish Highlands.
European Renewable Energy Solutions has planned to apply this CATHAY equipment to wind power projects in other parts of Europe. With the rapid development of the renewable energy industry, this type of aerial work platform designed for complex terrain is becoming a new industry standard.
For more information about the Tracked Knuckle Boom Lift, welcome to contact us.
Shandong Cathay Machinery Co., Ltd
www.cathaylift.com
Email: sales@cathaylift.com
