Hatfield, Hertfordshire based Abnormal Load specialist Hallett Silbermann has completed a major delivery project at London Heathrow Airport including the night-time delivery of two Liebherr HS8130HD crawler cranes, each weighing 85 tonnes and 4.00m wide. The cranes will be operating with massive digger buckets each weighing 28 tonnes.

The diaphragm wall excavating plant was needed for the latest phase of Heathrow’s integrated baggage system construction project, which will use conveyor systems running in 2.1 km of tunnels under the airport to transfer passenger bags quickly between terminals for connecting flights.

Originating in the north of England, the equipment was delivered on a 12 axled extendable rear steer low loader outfit hauled by a Scania R730 8 x 4 tractor unit with a gross vehicle weight of 139 tonnes. Hallett Silbermann provided their own Highways Agency compliant escort vehicles to accompany the loads throughout their two day journey.

The delivery operation took place at night, to enable the vehicles to cross runways and taxi-ways during the night-time airport curfew. Arrival at Heathrow was carefully co-ordinated and the vehicles were subject to the same security regulations as passengers, being searched for hazardous materials and restricted substances before airside access was granted.

In addition to the two crawler cranes and digger buckets, Hallett Silbermann also delivered numerous loads of ancillary equipment, including a smaller 80 ton crane, 16m long silos and 18m long cages, much of which was also night-time deliveries.

Hallett Silbermann operates across the UK but has recently completed a number of complex movements for clients throughout London on Crossrail, Tideway, and now HS2 projects. FORS Gold compliance and Euro 6 vehicles has been a major requirement on some of these.

Says Adam Whybrow of Hallett Silbermann: “These were very large and demanding loads, requiring meticulous planning of routes, permit applications for the numerous highway and council areas, and Police authorities.

“As the vehicles were accessing the secure area of the airport, our drivers had to be security cleared, and their licences and passports checked. The vehicles themselves had to be stripped of anything that is banned by airport security regulations - such as tools and sharp objects, and even bottled water in cabs.

“Arrival time was critical, so as not to clash with airport operations, and to avoid holding which would have caused obstruction to roadways around the congested airport. This was a very good example of how our close liaison and co-ordination with all parties but particularly the client and airport staff, resulted in a smooth and well executed plan.

“Everything was delivered on time and the client has expressed total satisfaction, particularly with the drivers who, they reported, were very professional as always.”

Hallett Silbermann are already working on the de-mobilisation from site and the return, or re-deployment, as necessary.