David Collett

Managing Director – Collett Group, UK

President – ESTA European Association of Abnormal

Road Transport and Mobile Cranes

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New ESTA guidelines on the operation of self
propelled modular transporters (SPMT)

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Working Group

Collett Group Operator UK

Fagioli Operator Italy
Goldhofer Manufacturer Germany
Mammoet Operator Netherlands
RDW Road agency Netherlands
Sarens Operator Belgium
Scheuerle/Tii Manufacturer Germany
Shell Industry client Netherlands
The Works Int’l Consultant Aruba
Wagenborg Nedlift Operator Netherlands

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Question 1 - When should an SPMT be employed ?

• 1 x 6 axle unit to do a quick ‘Taxi’ job to move a 30 Tonne condenser

• ?
• ?
• 4 x 100 axle units to carry out a Large load-out of 1,680 Tonne Module

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Question 2 - When should Transport engineering be carried out ?

• 1 x 6 axle unit to do a quick ‘Taxi’ job to move a 30 Tonne condenser

• ?
• ?
• 4 x 100 axle units to carry out a Large load-out of 1,680 Tonne Module

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Contents
1 The responsibility triangle 1.1 The different players in the triangle
1.2 The lines of communication

2 The equipment 2.1 Regional guidelines and regulations

2.2 Design of the equipment
2.3 Capacity of the equipment
2.4 Maintenance of the equipment
2.5 Documentation and information to be provided with the equipment

3 The load 3.1 Design of the load

3.2 Documentation and information about the load

4 Training 4.1 Skill, experience and competence

4.2 Training framework for operators
4.3 Training framework for engineers

5 Engineering a transport

6 Preparation of a transport 6.1 Work environment

6.2 Documents and procedures

7 The transport 7.1 The operators

7.2 Final checks
7.3 Bringing a load onto/discharging a load from the transporter
7.4 Moving the transporter

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1. The Responsibility Triangle

• Manufacturer
• Operating Company
• Client

Operating
Company

Manufacturer Client

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4. Training

• No Driving License available

• Assess on Skill, Experience and Competence

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5 Step competence assessment
Level 1: None experienced SPMT operator; Followed the manufacturer’s training. Will be trained on
standard jobs under the supervision level 4 or level 5 SPMT operators. Not allowed to work
independently at any time.
Level 2: Moderate experienced SPMT operator; Capable to work on standard jobs under the
supervision of level 4 or level 5 operators.
Level 3: Experienced SPMT operator; Capable to work on standard jobs without further supervision,
capable to work on complex jobs under supervision of level 4 operators.
Level 4: Highly experienced SPMT operator; Capable to take the lead in standard jobs and to work
on complex jobs without further supervision. Capable to supervise less experienced colleagues.
Level 5: Supervisor; Capable to take the lead in complex jobs and to supervise less experienced
colleagues. Authorised to instruct less experienced colleagues in order for them to increase their
competence level, authorised to sign-off competence form of less experienced colleagues.

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5. Engineering a Transport movement

• A need for Engineering

• A Question of Strength and Stability

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 Two levels of Engineering considered
First degree is based on Static calculations
1. Based on simple SPMT configurations
2. Verification of Strength and Stability of the
loaded SPMT
3. Ground level to be used as datum line for
calculating ‘tipping angle’
4. Combination of the SPMT and the load to
ascertain the true Centre of Gravity (CoG)
5. Maximum capacity of 75% of theoretical
maximum capacity of SPMT
6. Minimum tipping angle of 7 degrees is
considered
7. Plus 2 degree above any known or existing
ground/route conditions to allow for
cambers and inclinations
8. Maximum of 70% of the hydraulic lift/lower
capacity of the SPMT to be calculated for
levelling and axle stroke on ground
conditions
Second degree is based on Dynamic calculations
1. First degree engineering plus
2. Complex SPMT configurations
3. Consider dynamic forces, Wind loadings,
inertia, acceleration/deceleration, Braking,
Cambers, Tyre deflection, Second order
calculations
4. Maximum capacity of 90% of theoretical
maximum capacity of SPMT
5. Minimum tipping angle of 5 degrees is
considered
6. Plus 2 degree above any known or existing
ground/route conditions to allow for
cambers and inclinations
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Example of how Stability is calculated

Take a simple load - 8.5m x 4.2m x 5.6m High

Weight - 100,000 Kgs

Assuming a central point CoG (Centre of gravity)

of the load

Load centrally on to a 10 line SPMT

Assume 3 or 4 point suspension and locate

centre point of each hydraulic group
(3 point suspension in this case)

Assume ground level as the tipping point

Work out the C of G of the combination of load

and SPMT using Cartesian coordinates X, Y, Z

Work out the distance from the C of G to the

edge of the ‘Stability Triangle’

Triangulate to give ‘Tipping angle’ in degrees

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Example of how Stability is calculated

By moving the load in the rear direction on the

SPMT by, for instance 600mm, this has two
effects.

1. Alters the axle loadings

In this case, reduces the maximum
axle loadings

2. Alters the Tipping angle

In this case, increasing the angle and
so increasing stability

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DNV and GL Noble Denton
Merged September 2013

DNV GL is an international certification body

and classification society with main expertise
in technical assessment, advisory, and risk
management

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Thank you

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