Second Blade Lifter Boosts Wind Turbine Transport Capability
Collett & Sons Ltd is expanding its renewable energy transport capabilities with the purchase of a new Goldhofer FTV850 Blade Lifter, marking a significant step forward in its ability to move next-generation wind turbine blades. This latest addition is the company’s second blade lifter, joining its growing fleet of specialist heavy haulage and engineered transport equipment.
The FTV850 is no ordinary trailer. Designed for blades up to 100 metres long, it combines four core elements: an 850 Tonne-metre lifting module, 8-axle split lines, 6 driven axles, and a 530BHP ADDRIVE 2.0 power pack. Each part plays a critical role in tackling one of the wind industry’s toughest challenges — transporting longer and heavier turbine blades safely across complex terrain.
A Balancing Act in Motion
What makes the FTV850 particularly versatile is its engineering precision. The lifting module allows operators to tilt blades from 0 to 60 degrees and rotate them a full 360°, giving crews the flexibility to adjust to changing wind conditions or narrow route alignments. It’s not unlike steering a ship through a shifting current — precision, timing, and balance are everything.
The trailer’s split axle lines can be configured between 3 and 4 metres wide, providing stability based on blade length and weight distribution. Meanwhile, the powered axles boost traction and manoeuvrability on uneven ground — a must when navigating Scotland’s rural roads and tight wind farm approaches.
Headed for Sanquhar II
Once delivered in February 2026, the new Blade Lifter will make its debut on the Sanquhar II Wind Farm project in Dumfries & Galloway and East Ayrshire. The 44-turbine site will add 308MW of renewable energy capacity, becoming the UK’s fourth-largest onshore wind farm when operational.
Running both blade lifters in convoy will allow Collett to handle the site’s oversized components with greater speed and coordination — something only a handful of logistics specialists in Europe can manage at this scale.
Experience Meets Innovation
For Jack Collett, Renewables Director at Collett & Sons, the investment represents both a practical upgrade and a strategic move to stay ahead in a fast-evolving renewables sector.
“With the arrival of our second Blade Lifter, we’re able to transport larger turbine blades more efficiently and safely than ever before,” he said. “Operating both trailers together provides the flexibility and capacity our clients need on complex renewable energy projects.”
This dual capability reinforces Collett’s long-standing reputation in heavy transport and project logistics — a company that has adapted from moving industrial components to supporting the global energy transition.
