'Iron Spider' boosts efficiency in Jiaxing power grid construction

On April 14, a cutting-edge tracked tower-erection device—nicknamed the "Iron Spider"—was deployed by the State Grid Jiaxing Power Supply Company at the Qingshi–Yongxiu 110 kilovolt (kV) line reconstruction site. Standing 2.25 meters tall, the machine moved nimbly across farmland and waterways in northern Zhejiang, marking the first use of such equipment in the province. Its high efficiency, safety, and adaptability are helping accelerate and improve the quality of power grid construction.

The project involves erecting 34 new towers in an area crisscrossed with farmland, rivers, and narrow rural roads—making it difficult for traditional heavy equipment to access. Unlike conventional methods that rely on manual setup and winching, the "Iron Spider" uses a crawler chassis and retractable legs to traverse complex terrain, including muddy or uneven ground, without requiring extensive road preparation.

Capable of assembling towers under 50 meters in height and within a base width of up to 8 meters, the device features multi-point leveling without the need for external guy wires, reducing safety risks and labor intensity.

Compared to traditional methods, it reduces workforce demand by 40 percent and shortens tower erection time from three days to just 1.5 days.

In terms of safety features, the device is equipped with a variety of protective mechanisms, including slew limiters, height limiters, and amplitude limiters, as well as load limiters, torque limiters, and torque difference limiters—providing comprehensive protection during operation.

Additional features such as emergency stop systems, visual tri-color warning lights, and leg-lift alarms further enhance operator confidence and safety. To meet diverse terrain and construction requirements, the device adopts a modular design for easy transportation and assembly, and includes one-click leveling for the mast base and an automated mast-erection module, significantly improving convenience and efficiency on-site.

So far, 32 tower foundations have been completed along the 7.07-kilometer transmission corridor, with tower assembly more than halfway done. Once operational in June, the upgraded line will enhance the 110 kV grid structure in Tongxiang city, improving power reliability during the summer peak.

The State Grid Jiaxing Power Supply Company plans to continue exploring advanced technologies to strengthen grid infrastructure and provide reliable power for regional economic and social development in the next step.