Wind turbines hub heights from 40m up to and above 110m, as a result of this they require a very accurate and precise lifting procedure. Generally there are always two mobile cranes used for the turbine erection; a large mobile 250T-700T crane, and a smaller 100T + crane. The cranes work in unison to lift the turbine parts into place.

It is necessary therefore to provide a sufficient safe working area for both cranes to work in. As a result, a crane hardstand is built next the turbine foundation. This hardstand needs to be large enough for both cranes to operate in and leave room for the storage of materials, and possible access to other turbine locations.

"Wind Farm Civils" have the resources to construct these hardstands to the specification making sure that they are of sound construction,  that will be strong enough to hold the imposed loads of the cranes. We have experience constructing crane hardstands in a variety of ground conditions, and as with our site access roads we have a resident expert in our co-director Michael O’Keeffe with 25 years experience constructing roads and laydown areas in difficult ground conditions. We often carry out plate bearing tests on the crane hardstandings to ensure that they are strong enough to carry the anticipated axle loads imposed on it.