Transporting oversized wind turbine blades through dense forests and narrow roads isn’t for the faint-hearted. Yet, Hofmann’s first deployment of the new BladeMAX1000 from Cometto near Zerf, Rhineland-Palatinate, showed what power, precision, and modern engineering can achieve.
On a clear day with blue skies overhead, the 81-meter blades lay in wait between timber stacks and sawmill halls, ready for their journey to the nearby “Zerfer Schneeberg” wind park. The 12-axle Cometto MSPE self-propelled combination, fitted with the freshly minted BladeMAX1000, lined up for its maiden voyage. Powered up and ready to roll, Sven Wolter and his team gave the green light. Joining the B407 road, the massive blade was lifted high into the air, floating above the tree line like a giant feather against the sky.
Putting the BladeMAX1000 to the Test
The convoy crept along at a walking pace, turning off the main road into the thick forest. Curious residents and passing drivers couldn’t help but pull out their phones, capturing the surreal sight. Maneuvering the hefty load from asphalt to gravel required steady nerves and sharp skills. This wasn’t just about size—it was about control. The tight S-curves and steep crests posed a serious test, but the BladeMAX1000 didn’t flinch.
Thanks to Cometto’s patented Stability Control System (SCS), the entire setup stayed balanced, even when tilted at a sharp 60 degrees into the wind. Joachim Kolb, Sales Manager at Cometto, explained, “The system automatically balances the four support groups across all 48 electronically steered wheels.” This allowed Wolter to focus purely on navigating, without wrestling with vehicle sway or unexpected lurches. No rocking, no bouncing, just smooth, deliberate progress through rugged terrain.
Raising Blades Above the Spruce Tops
As the blade turned into each curve, it felt almost theatrical—rising past towering spruces like a scene from a slow-motion ballet. The destination lay just two kilometers away, but every meter was a masterclass in logistics execution. At the site, a 177-meter-high LR1800 crawler crane stood ready. Hofmann’s crew carefully positioned the blade, unscrewed the massive nuts at the blade root, and handed over to the crane team for the final lift.
This wasn’t just a one-off event. Hofmann transported a total of 15 blades and tower sections to build five Nordex turbines, types N163 and N149, each boasting 5.7 megawatts of capacity. Once fully operational, the wind park will churn out about 81 million kilowatt-hours of green electricity annually—a meaningful boost for the Trier-Saarburg district.
Confidence in Heavy-Lift Transport’s Future
Reflecting on the operation, Dieter Abt of Hofmann didn’t mince words. “We’re pleased that everything promised beforehand was delivered exactly as expected. Our expectations were exceeded, and with this equipment, we’re looking to the future with confidence,” he said. The BladeMAX1000’s unmatched 1,000 meter-ton load capacity proves that even the latest generations of XXL blades are within reach for today’s heavy haul specialists.
