Bureau of Meteorology 2023

Case Study

TRANSPORTABILITY OF MOBILE WEATHER RADAR

The Bureau of Meteorology in Melbourne sought assistance to convert the transportability of their trailer mounted Weather Radar unit to a more versatile, independent, transportable, and free-standing design. The existing trailer being an oversize unit, made transporting the 3,500kg radar only permissible with road permits, and difficult to manoeuvre to any desired location.

Custom Automation’s concept was to remove the Weather Radar Unit from the existing trailer and then mount it onto a bespoke base-frame fitted with 4-hydraulically operated articulated legs and then transport the unit via standard tray truck vehicles.

The load operation simply deploys the legs to the ground and then raises the base-frame to a higher level than the tray of the truck. The truck then reverses the tray bed beneath the unit, and the legs then lower the base-frame onto the tray.

The unload function is typically being the reverse of the load operation. Once the desired site position of the Weather Radar has been made, the legs, when deployed, enable the unit to be raised clear from the truck bed and allowing the vehicle to drive off.

Features of this design included the adaptability of the legs to suit any terrain or uneven footing, simplicity of operation and safety; and with the added benefit of being able to elevate the radar up to 1.8m above the ground to improve radar projection. An on-board Hydraulic Power Pack provided the power source with remote pendant station operation.

With a total combined weight of 7-tonnes for the Weather Radar, Base-Frame, Articulated Arms and Power Pack, the project was a great success for all parties.