Semi trucks moving a large transformer - GIF

[Frank S]

My count of tires was a tad more than 88 there are 22 on the 2 tractors alone and if you notice those axles on the jeeps and bogie units are side by sides which would mean 8 tires across per axle spacing That type of trailer unit would have the same number of axles in the rear as you can see in the front or 32 axles in all for a total number of tires on the ground assuming there is not another tractor pushing in the rear 150. Now it gets interesting some states will allow special permits of 22,000 per axle when the tandems have enough spacing between them. other states cap the weight at 20,000 permitted per axle. A standard Semi tractor trailer combo of 5 axles is 34+34+12 or 80,000 lbs. When considering a move of this nature the State board of Highway engineers are involved for which ever state or states the move is to be transported. Assuming they were only allowed 34,000 lbs per tandem set having 8 tires on the trailer combination that would be 544,000 add another 100,000 for the tractors with the concrete blocks we get 644,000 but could be as high as 768,000 if the respective states would allow it but we are looking at 2 heavy duty tractors That Brockway in front is obviously a heavy built tractor with those planetary drive axles The KW would be slouch either. say 40K for the trucks those Mafia blocks weigh between 2800 and 3600 each depending on their size, and I counted 20 on the lead truck That trailer combo would be around 200,000 bare, but more probably closer to 250K, another 72,000 for concrete and before the load is even lowered onto the rig there is between 312and 330,000 lbs of hog iron to move. A modular platform trailer and 2 trucks would be a weight savings of at least 1/3 to 1/2. The problem with a modular platform unit would be the overall height with the transformer on it, and some states are reluctant to consider issuing permits for them because of bureaucratic nonsense.
If only we would learn how to build roads like Israel built their highway from Televi to Haifa you can land and take off with a fully loaded cargo plane on any stretch of it