Collett Deploys New Blade Adapters in Ireland

Collett & Sons has deployed its new “game-changing” blade adapter trailers to deliver 90 turbine components for the Cushaling wind farm project in Ireland.

The trailers, also known as the clamp and dolly system, were used by the British-based heavy-lift specialist for the first time in Ireland to transport a range of pieces including nacelles, hubs, power trains, tower sections and 80-meter-long blades – the longest onshore blades ever carried on Irish and UK roads.

The vehicles, developed by trailer manufacturer DOLL, offer improved ground clearance, enhanced maneuverability and greater stability compared to standard super wing carrier trailers, Collet said. The trailers require two meters less space for turning at bends than a 65-meter platform trailer and are compatible with blades of up to 120 meters.

The components for Cushaling were carried at night directly from Ireland’s breakbulk-handling Port of Waterford to the project site, a distance of 295 kilometers. The journey took about 10 hours including one pitstop.

The power trains hubs were transported on 8-axle and 6-axle steerable trailers, while the nacelle components were hauled using Collett’s 3-7 Nooteboom clamps. The tower sections were also delivered using 3-7 Nooteboom clamps. Because of their length and the distance and complexity of the route, a different course for the blades was selected and spread over two nights.

Extensive road modifications were carried out to facilitate the transport of the components.

“Cushaling was an extremely challenging and technically difficult project, especially managing this size of blades in nighttime delivery conditions,” said Jack Collett, renewables director at Collett.

“However, we’ve come through the other side and delivered the project successfully which is a tremendous achievement. Our blade adapter trailers have been a game-changer in allowing us to transport the longest onshore blades to date on land across Ireland and the UK.”

Based in Halifax in northern England, Collett operates a fleet of heavy-lift trucks, trailers and SPMTs and provides project logistics throughout the UK, Europe and beyond.

The company recently announced the launch of a new office at its existing warehouse depot in the northern English town of Bradford. The office will be dedicated to Collett’s renewables and transport consulting departments.


Collett is an exhibitor at Breakbulk Europe.