ONE could be forgiven for thinking that Fred Wheeler was in a hurry when he erected two wind turbines in a day at Hampton Wind Park (NSW) late last year. This feat has not been achieved previously in Australia but the two towers were erected between 6am and 8.30pm.
Each lift involved two mast sections (22t each) fabricated by ADI in Victoria, a 22t 1.5kW Vestas nacelle (generator) and a 6t nose cone/propellor assembly built on the ground and lifted as a singe unit.
The lift was a joint effort between Wheelers Cranes, who did the lift plan using the Liebherr LICCON software and supplied a 300t Liebherr LTM1300/I AT crane, and local firm Turner Crane Hire (Turners), who supplied a 50t truck crane and Franna for receiving the components onto the site and minor lifts. Graeme Jenkins of Turners advised the principal, Hampton Wind Park Company, prior to the lift taking place.
The Hampton Wind Park Company is controlled by the Litchfield family, which has grazing interests in the area. It has plans to add another 15 units in the area.