Trailer with crane for solar park maintenance

European Energy, who has previously received custom solutions developed by ASP Product, contacted us again with a need to improve the handling of heavy inverters in their solar parks. The company has a strong focus on workplace safety and wanted a solution that could reduce manual lifting during service operations.

This time, we developed a custom-built service trailer with an integrated Knap On Crane and a specially designed lifting frame.

The challenge

Service work in solar parks often takes place far away from fixed installations, meaning technicians do not have access to stationary lifting equipment. The inverters are delivered in cardboard packaging and have a weight that makes manual handling impractical and physically demanding.

This created both ergonomic challenges and a risk of damaging the components during handling.

Standard lifting equipment could not meet the requirements, as the solution needed to provide:

• Extended reach for lifting operations
• High flexibility in uneven terrain
• The ability to lift directly from the original packaging
• A mobile solution suitable for changing working conditions

The task therefore required a robust and flexible lifting solution that could be used directly in the field.

Our solution

The solution was a custom-built service trailer equipped with our Knap On Crane mounted directly on the trailer bed. The crane allows technicians to safely lift inverters from the trailer and move them into position without heavy manual lifting.

To handle the inverters while they are still packed in cardboard boxes, we developed a specially designed lifting frame that securely grips and supports the packaging. This ensures stable and controlled handling despite differences in size and weight between deliveries.

The crane is equipped with:

• Electric lifting
• Electric extension
• Electric wire hoist

This provides fully motorized operation and easy handling for the technicians.

To meet the requirements of working in large solar parks, an additional manual extension was added, increasing the working reach up to 2 metres. With the Knap On system, the crane can be moved from side to side on the trailer without the use of tools, providing maximum flexibility in areas with limited working space.

A 12V battery pack powers all crane functions, making the solution independent of external power sources. The trailer is also equipped with adjustable support legs to ensure stability during lifting operations.

Technical specifications

• Knap On Crane with electric lifting
• Electric extension and electric wire hoist
• Additional manual extension for reach up to 2 metres
• Knap On mounting system for quick repositioning without tools
• Custom-designed lifting frame for boxed inverters
• 12V battery pack for independent operation
• Support legs for increased stability
• Trailer specifically developed for solar park service operations

Installation and customization

Since European Energy had previously received custom solutions from ASP Product, we already had a good understanding of their working processes and requirements.

The development was carried out in close cooperation with their technicians to ensure that the final solution matched the practical challenges they face in the field.

During the development process, we tested:

• The lifting frame functionality
• The crane’s working range
• The trailer’s stability during lifting operations

Based on these tests, the construction was refined and optimized.

The final solution was reviewed together with European Energy’s service team to ensure correct operation, safe handling and an ergonomic workflow in daily use.

Results

The solution provides European Energy with:

• Significantly reduced need for manual lifting
• Improved ergonomics and reduced physical strain for technicians
• Safe handling of inverters directly from their packaging
• High mobility and flexibility across large solar parks
• Reduced service time and less downtime
• A solution supporting the company’s focus on safety and employee wellbeing

Development of custom solutions

Do you also have a project that requires a customized solution?

With more than 30 years of experience in developing and producing lifting and handling equipment, ASP Product can help create solutions tailored to your specific challenges.

Whether you need modifications to an existing product or a completely new solution, we can help find the right approach for your application.

You are always welcome to contact us for guidance and learn more about your options for custom solutions.