Thorny Devil Loc: Alice Springs, Central Australia

During 2010 Alice Springs received three V12 MAN 51/60 DF engines for its new Owen Springs Power Station.

Manufactured in Germany by MAN, the 6.5 metre tall engine weighs 230 tonnes dry (no fuel, oil or water). It has 12 cylinders in V formation with a bore and stroke of 51cm (20 inches) by 60cm (23.6 inches). Output is cited at 12,600 kW (16,897 BHP). Fuel is diesel only or diesel (pilot fuel) plus natural gas. Site rating is 10,100 kW (electrical).

Crossing the Charles River bridge on the Stuart Highway near Alice Springs. Note two prime movers (tractor units) pulling and one pushing.

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Negotiating a large round-about at a major road intersection in Alice Springs.

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Note the operator at the end of the 70 metre (230 feet) long modular trailer operating the remote controlled steering of some of the trailer's 216 wheels.

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Installing the engine in the power station. A first for me was seeing the engine being mounted on resilient mounts. All other plant that I have been involved with have been firmly bolted to a heavy concrete foundation.

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Another surprise - the resilient mounts are secured to the engine frame and the floor with an industrial adhesive. No bolts at all!!

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jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I'm surprised that bridge didn't collapse. I can imagine someone complaining that they wasted money making it that strong. 😁

There is a single Caterpillar engine that produces electricity for a Caribbean island.

peekaboo

Damn.

Bushpilot Loc: Minnesota

Wow! That's about 89,000 cubic inch displacement. that will take a lot of fossil fuel. These are great images, I love this kind of technology.

badapple Loc: Twin Lake, Michigan

Super interesting.

SoHillGuy Loc: Washington

luvmypets Loc: Born & raised Texan living in Fayetteville NC

Wow!! That is amazing!! How did they get it on and off the trailer into position?

I like the idea of the way it's attached to the floor but I don't have a lot of confidence in the long term adhesiveness of glue; industrial strength or not. I guess I will never know if I'm right or wrong unless it fails in my lifetime but it would be interesting to see how well it holds 50 years from now.

Thanks for sharing the photos and the details of that very cool engine's journey!!

Dodie

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Oie that's a huge bugger!

NMGal Loc: NE NM

WOW! Imagine the trailer was made especially for this.

Curmudgeon Loc: SE Arizona

Wonderful set. I wonder how many gallons/hour that monster burns at full load?

bcheary Loc: Jacksonville, FL

Wow! One helluva an engine! Quite a job! Good set of photos.

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

Fantastic set of images!!!
I would love to see a move like that !!

J-SPEIGHT Loc: Akron, Ohio

WOW!!!

nimbushopper Loc: Tampa, FL

Phenomenal engine!

joehel2 Loc: Cherry Hill, NJ

Wonderful set. Thanks for sharing this.