Cutting windmill blades

[CM1995]

That is correct, no compaction required either. Interestingly the last one I was involved with wasn't damaged in a 8.9 earthquake, obviously moved a bit but stayed in tack.

I can see that. Like Lincoln Logs filled with popcorn for a very basic analogy.

 

[heymccall]

More blades to dispose of.

https://www.detroitnews.com/story/business/2026/04/06/thousands-of-dumped-wind-turbine-blades-prompt-crackdown-in-texas/89483915007/

 

[hseII]

The water jet would keep dust down. I will look into that. As these blades start to fatigue, I suspect this project will become more the norm. There are countless windmills here now and they are starting to be replaced. Wouldn't be a bad niche gig if a guy can come up with a way of doing this somewhat economically. I cant tell if its 4" all the way to the end, but it absolutely is where they bolt up to the turbine. Landfill sure was not interested in getting more of these (they have had one in the past) as they have a real problem dealing with them at the landfill, hence the 16' lengths and I have to separate the ring section where they bolt to the turbine. I was hoping for a way to do this mechanically, preferably excavator mounted, but that may not be possible.

Would they fit in a big bandsaw?

 

[KSSS]

Would they fit in a big bandsaw?

Not on any bandsaw I have ever seen. They are around 100' long, not sure how heavy they are but I don't see being able to cut them on a bandsaw as an option.

 

[heymccall]

Circular saw?

 

[heymccall]

Shredding?

 

[dayexco]

i'm surprised...that some "environmentally friendly" engineer....hasn't come up with a way to repair those blades in place instead of replacing them.

 

[DDoug]

i'm surprised...that some "environmentally friendly" engineer....hasn't come up with a way to repair those blades in place instead of replacing them.

Aluminum wings, you can drill out rivets, and repair internal ribs that are damaged etc.
Fiberglass laminated stuff, very hard to dig down thru the layers to repair, and then fill back in and get the new filler to work with the remaining fibers.

 

[hseII]

Not on any bandsaw I have ever seen. They are around 100' long, not sure how heavy they are but I don't see being able to cut them on a bandsaw as an option.

I I as under the impression you were cutting them into 16’ sections.

The grinder looks to be the best way.

What did you come up with?

 

[KSSS]

We ended up not doing it. But I think there will be a lot of this to be done in the future.

 

[Deere500a]

Would be fun try a Cat 826 with landfill cleats running over them shatter'em into pieces & load with excavator & end dumps