The exceptional transport of a wind turbine blade from Brindisi Harbour (in the South of Italy) to the RWM "Mondonuovo" wind farm in Mesagne (Brindisi) was the first in a series of transports for 27 components for the 9 turbines at the park. Thanks to the collaboration between Geotrasporti, Astra and Allison Transmission, the operation was a success, with the use of the Allison Automatics in combination with two Astra HD9 enables vehicle controlpower and precision during maneuvers.

Turin, April 2025 – Transporting wind blades is one of the most complex operations in the exceptional transport sector. The length, weight and oversized dimensions of these components requires highly specialized vehicles and advanced technologies to ensure safe and efficient transport. In this context, Geotrasporti, a company specializing in railway and wind transport, chose to rely on innovative vehicles, such as two Astra HD9 8x6 equipped with Allison transmissions.

On February 17th, the first wind blade - 81 meters long - was moved from Brindisi Harbour to the RWM “Mondonuovo” field in Mesagne, 40 km away. The operation was successful, thanks to the excellent performance of the Astra HD9 equipped with the Allison 4700 Specialty (SP) Series fully automatic transmission, which enables vehicle control and precision during maneuvers on public roads.

Massimo Carlini, the commercial and technical manager of the Rome-based transporting company, had the honour of driving the convoy of the precious, exceptionally long and bulky load to its destination. He recalled: "The transport went really well. I must say I was thrilled; I had never tried such a vehicle before."

This was the company's first experience with Allison transmissions. Carlini said: “The tests conducted in-house with the automatic transmissions were excellent and today in the field, the vehicle performed exceptionally well. Every maneuver is critical in such a transport and not losing power is essential, not only to save fuel but especially to ensure vehicle control during low-speed maneuvers.”

His brother Roberto Carlini, CFO and Project Manager at Geotrasporti, explained that the company based in Aprea (Rome) operates a fleet of 25 road tractors and 50 highly advanced trailers and semi-trailers, including three blade-lifting vehicles. He commented: "In our sector, vehicle performance is crucial. We purchased the two Astra HD9s with Allison transmissions in 2024 specifically for the most important and delicate transports, like this one in Brindisi. Our drivers are proud to drive these vehicles."

Simone Pace, Area Sales Manager at Allison Transmission, highlighted that Allison transmissions are particularly suitable for such complex missions because they ensure continuous power to the wheels, traction, smooth acceleration and effective deceleration. He explained the technology behind the results: "The torque converter in the Allison automatic transmission multiplies the engine's torque at startup, which helps a lot when starting with very heavy or bulky loads: the driver doesn’t need to work too hard with the gearbox and the starts are smooth, with gentle gear shifts. Additionally, the transmission works synchronously with the different vehicles operating together during the tandem towing, simplifying maneuvers – a key element in such extreme missions."

The Astra HD9 and the Allison Automatic Transmission – a powerful couple

Astra, a manufacturer of specialized vehicles for exceptional transport, designed the HD9 8x6 model with unique features that makes it perfect for difficult and extreme missions, such as the transport of wind blades. The two Astra HD9 at Geotrasporti have a 4-axle configuration, three of which are drive axles, allowing a towing capacity of up to 500 tons, ideal for large-scale operations, both on-road and off-road. The drivetrain consists of the Allison 4700SP automatic transmission with an integrated retarder, operating with the 13-liter Euro 6 Cursor engine delivering 570 horsepower.

The drivetrain of this vehicle is also equipped with a two-speed torque splitter, which ensures optimal weight distribution even during overloads on the axles, allowing the vehicle to operate in challenging terrain conditions, such as off-road conditions.

The “Mondonuovo” Wind Farm Project

Located in the municipalities of Mesagne and Brindisi, the "Mondonuovo" wind farm is owned by RWE, a company that already operates 11 large wind farms in Italy. The project involves the installation of 9 wind turbines, each with a capacity of 5.9 megawatts, for a total capacity of 53.1 megawatts. The park is expected to be completed by June 2025, when electricity production will start.

Thanks to technological innovation and the synergy between the partners involved, the transport sector for renewable energy is ready to meet future challenges, contributing to the growth of wind farms and energy sustainability.