typical SPMT has a grid of computer-controlled axles, usually 2 axles across and 4–8 axles along.
[4]
When two (or more) axles are placed in series, this is called an axle line. All axles are individually
controllable, in order to evenly distribute weight and to steer accurately. Each axle can swivel
through 270°, with some manufacturers offering up to a full 360° of motion. The axles are
coordinated by the control system to allow the SPMT to turn, move sideways or even rotate in place.
Some SPMTs allow the axles to telescope independently of each other so that the load can be kept
flat and evenly distributed while moving over uneven terrain. Each axle can also contain a hydrostatic
drive unit.
A hydraulic power pack can be attached to the SPMT to provide power for steering, suspension and
drive functions. This power pack is driven by an internal combustion engine. A single power pack can
drive a string of SPMTs. As SPMTs often carry the world's heaviest loads on wheeled vehicles, they
are very slow, often moving at under one mile per hour (1.6 km/h) while fully loaded. Some SPMTs
are controlled by a worker with a hand-held control panel, while others have a driver cabin. Multiple
SPMTs can be linked (lengthwise and side-by-side) to transport massive building-sized objects. The
linked SPMTs can be controlled from a single control panel.[5]
History
[edit]
The first modular self-propelled trailers were built in the 1970s. In the early 1980s, heavy haulage
company Mammoet[6] refined the concept into the form seen today.[7] They set the width of the
modules at 2.44 m, so the modules would fit on an ISO container flatrack. They also added 360°
steering.[8] They commissioned Scheuerle[9] to develop and build the first units. Deliveries started in
1983. The two companies defined the standard units: a 4-axle SPMT, a 6-axle SPMT and a hydraulic
power pack. Over the years, new types of modules were added to this system[4] to accommodate a
range of payloads.
In 2016 ESTA (the European Association of Abnormal Load Transport and Mobile Cranes) published
the first SPMT best practice guide[10] to help address the problem of trailers occasionally tipping over,
which happened even when the operating rules and stability calculations had been precisely
followed.
Some shipbuilding companies have started to use SPMT instead of gantry cranes for carrying ship
sections. This has reduced the cost of transporting huge loads by millions of dollars.[11]
Scheuerle Fahrzeugfabrik Gen 1 14 axle line SPMT developed for Mammoet in the 1980s
In 2022 Mammoet and Scheuerle developed and employed world's first electric SPMT. This was done
with the help of an Electric power pack unit (EPPU) which replaced the gas powered PPU. The
ESPMTs help to reduce carbon footprint of the companies and also the haulage industry. These
electric modules are safer and quieter when compared with the diesel modules, which can benefit
operations which are held in mines and energy plants.[12]
ESTA has plans to develop European Trailer Operator's License (ETOL) for SPMT operators, this idea is
backed by top company operating in heavy haulage sector like Goldhofer and Tii Group. There will be
training and practice to obtain this specific license which the SPMT operators have to complete
before handling these heavy machines on public roads, but this will improve the safety standards of
the industry.[13]
Achievements
[edit]
Executing the salvage operation of the sunken ferry MV Sewol in the East China Sea in 2017, the
company ALE used SPMTs equivalent to a 600-axle line and a load weight of 17,000 t (18,739 short
tons; 16,732 long tons), exceeding two world records.[14][15]
In December 2022 Shell plc a London based oil company ordered decommission of their
20,300ton FPSO Curlew ship when it reached the end of its operational life. This operation was
assigned to AF Offshore Decom, a decommissioning specialist company based in Oslo which
partnered with Mammoet of Utrecht to load-in and set-down the structure in Norway with the help
of 748 SPMT axle line. This claimed to break two world records, one for the heaviest SPMT
movement and another for most SPMT axle lines used for transportation.[16]
In February 2023 Sinotrans Heavy-Lift a China based heavy transport company moved a hotel
building 500 meters in Sanya, Hainan using 254 axle lines of Scheuerle SPMT with the help of 15
power packs. This was claimed to be the world's heaviest building transportation ever. The building
in the subject was almost 300ft long, 115 ft wide, 65 ft high and weighed 7,500 tons. The relocation
was done to comply with the environmental regulations of the state.[17]
In December 2023 China Shipping Vastwin Project Logistic a China based logistics company a
subsidiary of China based multinational company COSCO Shipping moved five number of buildings at
the Ningxia Saishang Jiangnan Museum located in Ningxia based in Northern China. The relocation
was done to adhere with the environmental regulations. The buildings in subject were 11,450 tonnes
in total of five with the main building weighing 10,000 tonnes, 43 mtr high, 36.9 mtr long and 31.5
mtr wide which was moved on 300 lines of SPMT and ten powerpacks. This resulted in breaking
three records of most heights, heaviest building transportation over the longest distance.[18]
