Very small toy sparks big idea
MAMMOET: Trucking firm moves large loads with self-propelled modular transporters
Lego always fascinated me. As a kid it was the one thing that would keep me occupied for hours on end. Then I discovered girls, but that’s another story.
Where was I? Oh yes, Lego. It was just plain and enjoyable fun. With Lego, as long as you could imagine a combination, then you could try to put it together. I always seemed to run out of parts, but my mind was still in full overload. I always liked to think big.
I think I have found a kindred spirit in the Mammoet trucking firm in Australia (love the way those Australians think about life in general). The Mammoet folks have glommed on the Lego concept, and have made a living out of making it work.
The trucking firm is using self-propelled modular transporters, much like Lego pieces, and making unique combinations. The pieces can be joined together in a variety of configurations to suit any load they have been asked to transport.
Imagine one rectangular piece. The key is the mass of wheels underneath each and every piece. Each piece is covered with wheels and axles, and each wheel can turn 360 degrees, together or separately. Then each self-propelled unit can drive forward, backward, sideways, diagonally, or even in a tight circle. Each unit can also raise and lower itself, as desired by the load demands, and the territory through which it must travel.
Join them together, lengthwise, sideways, or whatever way will work under a strange, and different cargo. The key is that weight is evenly distributed, and the load can be moved over existing roadways.
What kind of loads? If you think it’s impossible, they’ll move it, legally.
One was a 500-ton gas tank that was 50.3 metres long. It had to be moved 24 km, and while it took 24 hours it was done without any problems. It was then loaded on a deepsea ship, for further transport.
Remember, all the Mammoet “pieces” are self-propelled. All are hooked up to several computers, and then it comes down to two joysticks and one operator to run the entire unit. He is sitting in his truck cab, regardless of the size, shape and weight his configuration is carrying.
That’s called CONTROL, efficiency, professionalism, and Australian ingenuity.
Another load they moved?
One very square building that was 23 metres tall, and weighed in at 1.6 billion kg, or 1790 tons. That’s more than I can imagine, but move it, they did, and successfully.
Hats off to the Australian Trucking Industry, one more time. I personally think it is the only true last frontier for the driver who loves a challenge, backed up by people who think outside the box.
I wish I was 20 years younger, and I’d be sending you this column from Down Under.