Scheuerle Fahrzeugfabrik GmbH

ESO orders SCHEUERLE transporter for astronomical observatory in Chile

Pfedelbach-based SCHEUERLE Fahrzeugfabrik has received an order from the ESO (European Southern Observatory) to supply two special vehicles for the transport of radio antennae for one its facilities in Chile. The ESO, which has its head office in Garching near Munich, Germany, is an intergovernmental European organization for astronomical research and has eleven member countries.



Not only will the two special transporters be working in an unusual environment but the tasks involved are also something out of the ordinary: the ALMA ground-based astronomy project will be located on the 5,000m high Llano de Chajnantor site in the Atacama Desert of Northern Chile. The new radio antenna park will eventually consist of 64 individual antenna facilities each weighing around 110 tonnes which are placed on 250 specially prepared foundations with every antenna assembled in a different operating position.



The tasks of both special vehicles will initially be to transport the antennas from the project´s central service station, located at a height of 2,900 metres, to the operational site on a high plateau at a height 5,000 metres. Once there, each antenna has to be manoeuvred very accurately into its specified position. A further task in the future will be transporting the antennas for regular maintenance work to and from the central service station. This involves a journey of around 28 kilometres through mountainous terrain with a 7% gradient to overcome.



The technical challenge for the SCHEUERLE transporters lies in the extreme height which reduces the efficiency of the diesel engines by nearly 50 %. For humans, it is normally only possible to work with additional oxygen supply at this height. Nevertheless, in order to bring the gigantic 110 tonnes of heavy antenna systems safely to their place of work, each vehicle is equipped with two 500 KW strong diesel engines which together have a performance of around 1,000 kw or 1,340 hp. With a total width of 10 metres, a height of 4.5 metres and a length of about 16 metres, the dimensions of the two vehicles also belong in the realms of the superlative.



Work begins for the two heavy duty vehicles in Chile, near San Pedro de Atacama, in 2007.





Enclosed photograph:

Contract signing on 22 December 2005 at ESO headquarters in Garching near Munich.



From left to right:

Thomas Riek, SCHEUERLE Fahrzeugfabrik GmbH

Dr. Caterine Cesarsky, Chief Executive Officer, ESO

Hans-Jörg Habernegg, Managing Director of SCHEUERLE Fahrzeugfabrik GmbH



SCHEUERLE Fahrzeugfabrik GmbH

Transporters from SCHEUERLE are recognised across the world for their advanced technology and special product quality. Reliability in daily use, high load capacity and a long working life make the vehicles a very important component of modern logistical operations. The history of vehicle technology for heavy transport vehicles is closely connected with the name of SCHEUERLE and the company has a well-earned reputation of linking tradition and innovation. Together with KAMAG Transporttechnik in Ulm and NICOLAS Industries in Champs-sur-Yonne, France, SCHEUERLE belongs to the group of companies owned by the Heilbronn industrialist, Otto Rettenmaier. Within the group, the TII – Transporter Industry International heavy-load division is global market leader.