Barnhart strikes craneless blade change deal
26 March 2019Barnhart has entered into a license agreement with Windcare India to be the exclusive provider of Windcare’s universal “craneless” component replacement and installation technology for wind turbines in the United States, supplementing the company’s own craneless blade and bearing exchange system, which has been used for more than 12 years.
Windcare’s patented process uses special lifting structures that do not require the use of heavy cranes to remove or install large components.
“The benefits include reduced costs; environmentally friendly smaller footprint; quicker, low-cost mobilization; and higher wind working speed for customers. Taller turbine major component replacement without large cranes required becomes a major cost saving advantage for improved return on investment,” said Barnhart.
All work will be conducted by Barnhart crews trained in the deployment of the tooling and technology.
Barnhart’s senior vice president of sales and marketing Jeff Latture said: “This technology has been proven in applications across multiple countries and turbine platforms overseas and presents a cost-savings for customers in that it eliminates the need to mobilize and have large cranes on site for wind turbine major component replacement.”
Latture added that the new tooling technology is less affected by high winds, meaning fewer on-site weather delays.
Windcare India is a leading provider in the renewable energy sector specialising in craneless solutions for wind turbine major component replacement, maintenance and installation. Since 2010, the company has expanded to provide its technology throughout Asia and Europe, successfully conducting more than 1,600 single blade exchanges.
