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One of the 55-metre turbine blades is eased into Tremaine Ave from Rangitīkei St. The gear was imported from Korea and enhanced by Smith Crane and Construction, the contractors responsible for crane work on site, including lifting the towers and blades into position. Smith Crane and Construction transport manager Mark Thompson is putting on a nightly show in Palmerston North, standing in a cage on the side of the trailer, in charge of steering and tilting. “I’m like the Fat Controller.” Although turbine suppliers Vestas have used blade manipulators on other projects around the world, this was the first time the technology had been used in New Zealand or Australia. ....
Towering over buildings and trees, it s a sight worth staying up late for. I still can t believe how much of an angle they can get it up on around that bend without tipping the truck over, says truck enthusiast Hamish Price. It s no easy feat moving the blades up such a tricky road, needing a high-tech blade manipulator from Korea for the job. It can tilt up to 60 degrees and we can yaw it out the side of the trailer 15 degrees, says Smith Cranes transport manager Mark Thomson. All so the blades can get around the tight turns of the Pahiatua Track. ....