Issues to consider when transporting Heavy Loads
At the risk of stating the obvious, the heavier the load, the more axles/tyres are needed – the number being determined by the maximum weight allowable along the route in question. Just to complicate matters further, this varies from country to country, even from region to region. Every route has its weak spot, invariably multiple weak spots.
Manouevrability issues with Heavy Loads
However, the more axles there are, the longer the vehicle – leading to the next issue, manoeuvrability – the ability to negotiate the tightest corner along the specified route. If its not been attempted before, its not uncommon for the authorities to insist on the operator carrying out a physical route inspection, before the movement is even considered.
In any event, in the 1970s, this lead to the introduction of sophisticated steering mechanisms and axles – with either four or eight tyres per axle – allied to complex, hydraulic suspension systems.
STG Group: some of the Heaviest Loads every transported
Whilst STG cannot claim the record for the heaviest load moved on the public highway, certainly in international terms, we are somewhere near the top. The incoming loads from Germany, destined for a power station near Retford, their grossing at 184tons, traversing the Humber bridge with its maximum limit of 200tons, was one of the highlights!
