Method and means for mounting a wind turbine on a tower

In combination:

• a vertically disposed wind turbine tower having upper and lower ends;
• a guide rail means on said tower extending between the upper and lower ends thereof;
• a wind turbine support selectively removably mounted on said guide rail means for supporting a wind turbine thereon;
• said wind turbine support movable on said guide rail means to the upper end of said tower;
• a winch means selectively removably anchored to the ground at the lower end of said tower;
• said winch means including a winch cable which is operatively secured to said tower and said wind turbine support for vertically moving said wind turbine support with respect to said tower;
• and a power means for operating said winch means.

A self-propelled vehicle for transporting a wind turbine sled from one wind turbine tower location to another, comprising:

• a frame means having rearward and forward ends, and opposite sides;
• said frame means including a first frame at one side thereof and a second frame at the other side thereof;
• a first steerable drive wheel assembly mounted on said first frame;
• a second steerable drive wheel assembly mounted on said second frame;
• a winch means mounted on said frame means;
• and a power means mounted on said frame means for driving said first and second drive wheel assemblies and for powering said winch means;
• said forward ends of said first and second frames being horizontally spaced-apart to define an opening therebetween so that said forward ends of said first and second frames may be positioned on opposite sides of the wind turbine tower;
• said first and second frames having wind turbine sled receiving means thereon.

A wind turbine support sled for mounting a wind turbine on the upper end of a wind turbine tower, comprising:

• a frame means having upper and lower ends, forward and rearward ends, and opposite sides;
• a wind turbine platform on said upper end of said frame means for removably supporting a wind turbine thereon;
• each of said opposite sides having tower clamping means at the forward end thereof;
• winch means associated with said frame means for raising and lowering said frame means with respect to the tower;
• and a power means for operating said winch means.