ALE has designed and built a new self-propelled skid system, the SS800, with 800t capacity skid shoes. In total, 48 800t skid shoes, 12 83t push/pull units and 190 5m skid tracks have been built.

The 800t capacity skid shoe is a logical choice for ALE after the build of the 150t, 300t, 500t, 650t and 1,200t skid shoes. This fleet of skid shoes, with a capacity between 650t and 1,200t, gives ALE’s clients a lot more flexibility in their operation.

“We believe skid systems have a great future,” explained Ronald Hoefmans, Technical Director. “The loads nowadays are becoming so heavy, but are still compact and need compact transport systems with high capacity to move them.”

The system also has a new generation control system with stroke and pressure control, as well as a variable skidding speed to reduce acceleration and deceleration during start up and stopping of the movement.

The system was designed in-house in the R&D facility in Breda, the Netherlands, and has increased ALE’s overall skidding capacity by 38,400t. These high capacity skid shoes are suited for site moves, load-outs and other heavy transport work globally. They have already been shipped to be utilised on their first projects.