Goldhofer AG, a noted provider of heavy-duty and special transport solutions, has once again underlined its leading position in the industry. Buckingham Heavy Transport, a US company specializing in oversized and heavy haul transport, recently mastered three challenging jobs with flying colors. The vehicles used included THP/DC dual-lane heavy-duty transporters and PST/SL-E self-propelled modules.

Goldhofer, a long-established company based in Memmingen, Germany, has built up a fine reputation for its robust and innovative transport equipment, which are in use worldwide. With an impressive range of products specifically designed to meet the challenges of today’s transport industry, Goldhofer provides solutions that take efficiency and safety to a new level. Goldhofer has significantly strengthened its presence and performance in the USA by expanding its dealer network and establishing a presence that is close to customers. Following the establishment of its own US facility in the form of Goldhofer, Inc. in Miramar, Florida, Goldhofer is able to deliver a fast response to the needs of its customers and, in addition to sales, also offers a spare parts dispatch service and overhauls on site, which saves time and money. Goldhofer has also extended its reach in North America by partnering with dealers, namely ILoca Services, Inc. and Pinnacle Trailer Sales, Inc. As a result, Goldhofer customers now benefit from faster availability of its transport solutions and a comprehensive service offering that includes sales, maintenance and even general vehicle overhauls on site.

Buckingham Heavy Transport is a leading US rigging and transport company specializing in project management and oversize and heavy haul operations. With 50 years of experience and a commitment to state-of-the-art equipment and technology, Buckingham has the capability to efficiently handle a wide variety of transport operations throughout the United States and beyond. Just recently, Buckingham completed three challenging jobs relying on the versatility of Goldhofer heavy haul solutions.

Mike Brovont, Project Manager at Buckingham Heavy Transport says: “With Goldhofer’s heavy-duty modules, we’re equipped for the wide range of superloads that we’re asked to transport. Whatever the industry specifications or challenges of the move route or job site, Goldhofer equipment gives us innovative options to safely and successfully deliver each load to its destination.”

The first project, transporting a 436,000 pound transformer for a power plant, involved the use of a 12-line Goldhofer THP/DC transporter. A big advantage of the THP/DC is that vehicle width can be changed while rolling. This translates into reduced journey times and long service life with low maintenance requirements. In addition, wireless remote control makes operation (widening, leveling, steering) extremely user-friendly. Thanks to this unique widening system under full load, transporter width could be increased from 12 to 18 feet after negotiating some tight bends in order to maneuver out of the rail siding. In spite of various challenges, including a steep level crossing requiring use of the full 700 mm suspension stroke, and the need to disconnect seven power lines along the route and also to fill a pit with gravel and cover it with steel plates, the Buckingham team had no difficulty in getting the transformer safely to its destination.

The THP/DC modules also demonstrated their strengths in the second job involving transport of two heavy pressings. They were picked up by a Canadian company and transported by barge to the USA, followed by delivery to Texas by Buckingham. Using a 10-line Goldhofer THP/DC transporter with gooseneck and 14-foot basic width, the Buckingham team was able to obtain permits to drive the 227,000-pound pressings through eight states – thanks to the flexibility of the rig in terms of vehicle width.

The last job involved transporting a 450,000 pound slug catcher over a distance of 50 miles. The key to this operation was the impressive capabilities of Goldhofer’s PST/SL-E self-propelled transporters. The challenge was to offload the slug catcher from a barge and onto the PST modular transporter and then drive it up a steep grade from the river to the transload site. With the Goldhofer PST/SL-E with max. 45 t axle load and a huge180 kN tractive power per drive axle, even this challenge was no problem for the Buckingham team. With the help of electronic multiway steering, the slug catcher was maneuvered precisely to the transload site, lifted onto a 12-line Goldhofer THP/DC transporter and delivered safely to its destination.

Jerry Rothwell, Area Sales Manager at Goldhofer, says: “It fills me with great pride that Buckingham Heavy Transport relies on Goldhofer’s innovative transport solutions for critical operations. It is confirmation of our commitment to quality and innovation that our products have once again made the decisive difference in the implementation of outstanding projects.”