VIDEO, PHOTOS: Heaviest object in history, 720-tonne load carried through Hungary thanks to engineering feats

Four record-large generators have to be transported to Romania’s Mintia-Deva Power Station, the country’s third-largest thermal power plant, to build Europe’s largest gas-fired power plant there by 2026. The first generator arrived in Hungary this month and required engineering feats to carry it from Szeged to Romania. For example, engineers had to reinforce a bridge to withstand the brutal load. Check out some photos and a video of how the 720-tonne load was carried in Hungary.

720-tonne load carried on Hungary’s roads thanks to engineering feats and careful planning

According to Magyar Közút, the gigantic generator arrived in Szeged via river routes on the Danube and River Tisza in February. Before, engineers worked for almost a year to find out and plan its route from Szeged to the Hungarian-Romanian border, even though it’s just a couple of dozen kilometres. German, Austrian, Hungarian, and Romanian experts dealt with the challenge of transporting four gigantic generators from Hungary to Romania. The final destination of the devices is the Mintia-Deva Power Station, which can become Europe’s largest gas-fired power station by 2026.

720t load in Hungary generator power plant
Photo: FB/Magyar Közút

The distance between Szeged and the power plant is 300 kilometres, which the device will cover in 2 weeks. The 380-tonne generator arrived from the United States. The generator’s route in Hungary was 44 kilometres. The total weight of the transport reaches 720 tonnes, while its length is 100 metres, width reaches 6 metres, and 5.4 metres high.

720t load in Hungary generator power plant
The transportation of the 720-tonne load deserves national attention. Photo: FB/Magyar Közút

In the first phase of the Hungarian segment, an SPMT (Self Propelled Modular Transporter) carried the gigantic generator, which did not require a towing vehicle. Magyar Közút drew public attention to the fact that transporting the generator is not only important for the transport industry but is also an engineering feat worth national attention.

720t load in Hungary generator power plant
Photo: FB/Magyar Közút
720t load in Hungary generator power plant
The arrival of the 720-tonne load on River Tisza. Photo: FB/Magyar Közút

The biggest challenge

The biggest challenge and the most critical element in the project was carrying through the 720 tonnes on the Bridge of Apátfalva because the overpass’s weight capacity was only 40 tonnes. Therefore, they needed to temporarily reinforce the bridge to withstand the extreme load but the engineers of the Hungarian Peri company could overcome the difficulties using MULTIPROP reinforcement panels.

720t load in Hungary generator power plant
Photo: Bence Hajós

One rod can withstand 9 tonnes, so they utilised 156 aluminium pieces to minimise risks. The rods were installed on concrete slabs placed in the creek bed. Thanks to the favourable characteristics of the aluminium, placing the rods and moving them was quick.

720t load in Hungary generator power plant
Photo: Bence Hajós

Check out a video of the operation:

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