MiketheBike Posted August 17, 2018 Share Posted August 17, 2018 It certainly looks ex-military? Should be an interesting site on M25 this weekend, and expecially when it negotiates roundabouts when it comes off towards Woking https://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/surrey-news/huge-lorry-set-cause-45-15036465 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarland Posted August 17, 2018 Share Posted August 17, 2018 ALE the heavy lift contractor have got a good website on all the their kit and projects. There's a story on the Tojan ballast tractor here: http://www.ale-heavylift.com/news/ale-completes-build-of-the-trojan-trucks-2/ Its something they have developed themselves. M25 and Woking to be avoided this weekend unless you're interested in Heavy Lift operations! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony B Posted August 17, 2018 Share Posted August 17, 2018 As a conosieur of M25 cock ups, gladd I'm not working this weekend. 😀 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grasshopper Posted August 17, 2018 Share Posted August 17, 2018 I believe that one or some of the Trojan chassis were originally Alvis Unipower prototypes (formerly Scammell) http://tractors.wikia.com/wiki/Alvis-Unipower Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john1950 Posted August 17, 2018 Share Posted August 17, 2018 They are good at what they do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
utt61 Posted August 17, 2018 Share Posted August 17, 2018 (edited) The protoype MH-8875 tractor, the unit used for the tank transporter bid, went via GEC Alsthom to ALE where it has given great service of many years. I believe that it has now been retired. The new batch of six ALE Trojan tractor units were designed and built by ALE in-house at Hixon, Staffordshire. ALE bought six French Army surplus Unipower 8800 units with a view to upgrading them, but after assessing their suitability and condition decided to start from scratch (although it is rumoured that there are some parts of the ex-French units in the Trojans). The design is in some ways an evolution of the MH-8875 and builds on the lessons learned from years of operating that pioneer unit, and is in many ways probably the vehicle Unipower would have built if the firm had survived. The Trojan 8870 is the most powerful (and cleanest) prime mover ever to operate on British roads, and is the first such vehicle to have full CANbus-based multiple unit operation allowing the lead tractor to operate everything but the steering on helper units. A remarkable and very impressive example of great British engineering! Edited August 17, 2018 by utt61 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiketheBike Posted August 17, 2018 Author Share Posted August 17, 2018 I will be popping out on my bike to see it through, will be interesting at some of the roundabouts and junctions around Woking Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terryb Posted August 18, 2018 Share Posted August 18, 2018 Is it coming off at the Chertsey exit? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiketheBike Posted August 18, 2018 Author Share Posted August 18, 2018 (edited) Yes, then down past mclaren then left through woodham and into new haw Edited August 18, 2018 by MiketheBike Spelling Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
radiomike7 Posted August 18, 2018 Share Posted August 18, 2018 If the information is correct this is a tiddler of a transformer at just 143 tons which could easily be transported on just one of the 14 line bogies of the girder trailer, see here for an example with a 200 ton transformer, 16 lines plus 25-30 tons on the tractor: The only advantages of a girder trailer are a lower travelling height and an easier time for any weak bridges. Don't forget that 70 years ago both Pickfords and Wynns were regularly transporting 200 ton transformers without the luxury of motorways. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiketheBike Posted August 18, 2018 Author Share Posted August 18, 2018 There are some very tight turns and a tiny roundabout to negotiate in New Haw....could that be the reason for using such a beast? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terryb Posted August 18, 2018 Share Posted August 18, 2018 jeez-getting up Martyrs Lane or the six cross roads is bad enough, New Haw location should be a squeeze! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
radiomike7 Posted August 20, 2018 Share Posted August 20, 2018 Needless to say the whole operation was over-hyped by the press prior to the move which used two 8 row bogies, smaller girders than those shown and a pair of MAN 8x4 tractors not the Trojans as suggested. Saddest part of the story is that we seem to be incapable of building a similar transformer in the UK rather than having to buy from Korea. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grasshopper Posted August 20, 2018 Share Posted August 20, 2018 We do manufacture power transformers of all sizes in the UK. We also export them - its a global market. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarland Posted August 20, 2018 Share Posted August 20, 2018 3 hours ago, radiomike7 said: Needless to say the whole operation was over-hyped by the press prior to the move which used two 8 row bogies, smaller girders than those shown and a pair of MAN 8x4 tractors not the Trojans as suggested. Saddest part of the story is that we seem to be incapable of building a similar transformer in the UK rather than having to buy from Korea. If it hadn't been over-hyped and there'd been carnage on the roads imagine the slagging all concerned would have got!!! It was successful then? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiketheBike Posted August 20, 2018 Author Share Posted August 20, 2018 It arrived three hours early, so missed it coming in. Was pretty impressive all the same with a huge, how can I explain it.....pallet trolly to move it the final few hundred yards into the site. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
radiomike7 Posted August 21, 2018 Share Posted August 21, 2018 3 hours ago, MiketheBike said: It arrived three hours early, so missed it coming in. Was pretty impressive all the same with a huge, how can I explain it.....pallet trolly to move it the final few hundred yards into the site. SPMT or Self Powered Modular Transporter, the girder trailer was too large to access the site. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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