7-11-06 Scott Webster-Times Record
Like a scene out of a sci-fi movie, or something from The Discovery Channel, a transport carrying a dryer unit for the ethanol plant in Richardton made its way through Barnes County Monday.
The 232-foot long unit was carried by two steel beams stretched between two three-axle steering mechanisms and two transport trucks.
The dryer unit weighs one half million pounds and is supported by suspended cables from the beams.
Utilizing a push and pull tandem truck system, Perkins Specialized Transportation Contracting out of Northfield, Minn., was responsible for the safe travel of the unit to the ethanol plant.
According to Shelly Perkins from PSTC, special permits had to be obtained due to the immense size of the transport. The unit, built in Milwaukee, measured 16 feet wide and 14 1/2 feet tall.
“We do things for NASA and nuclear power plants,” Perkins said. “Right now, we are also transporting a Boeing 787 wing mold [besides the dryer unit].”
Perkins has been specializing in mega moves for the past 20 years. They have created a special transport trailer which has axles that can be adjusted hydrolically from 12 feet to 20 feet wide. “We just take it apart and put it together again to fit each load,” she said.
The transport has a total of 108 tires which support the massive weights being hauled, said Perkins. “It steers in six places,” she added. “It moves like a snake down the road.”
Perkins said the company’s goal was to get the transport to Carrington by dusk before stopping at a designated parking location established by the N.D. Highway Patrol.
Perkins added the biggest draw back to one of these moves is the temperature. “If it gets above 85 degrees, the road gives way under the weight.” She stated this was a regulation set forth by the highway department by which they abide.
What if it reaches 85 degrees? The transport comes to a halt until the thermometer drops. According to Perkins, many of these types of moves happen during early morning and early evening hours to avoid the hot temp.
This is but one of five units PSTC is transporting this summer. One more will be heading again to Richardton in the near future, and three will be on route to Underwood to an ethanol plant there.
According to the Highway Patrol, the whole event requires a big effort to complete and must be coordinated among highway departments, road crews, highway patrol and law enforcement, utility crews, and the transport company.
On open road, top speeds of the tandem transport unit can reach 50 m.p.h. Unfortunately, utility lines, road surfaces and turning obstacles often bring the unit to a standstill while being attended.
Perkins said they expect smooth travel from Carrington to Richardton on Tuesday [today], and they hope to reach destination before any stormy weather hits.
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