Shipping Heavy Equipment

Heavy Equipment can be defined as just about any tool, device or vehicle too large to move by hand. Licensing or training is often required for this equipment which generally fall into one of four categories: lifting or carrying, earth moving, power generation and cutting or joining. Cranes, bulldozers, portable generators, saws, presses, drills, forklifts and even railroad trains all fit into one of these groups.

Earth Moving

1. Earth moving equipment is used to excavate, shape, move or fill the land. Bulldozers and backhoes are two familiar pieces of earth moving equipment. So are augers for digging telephone post holes, front-end loaders for moving around large amounts of material and graders for shaping and smoothing surfaces. Also included in the earth moving category are pieces of road-building heavy equipment such as rollers and asphalt paving vehicles. All of these pieces of equipment are used in the shaping or changing of land.

Lifting and Carrying

2. The general purpose of a crane is to lift, while a forklift is primarily used for carrying. Other heavy equipment used to ease the burden of large loads are trucks of various configurations, rail cars and locomotives, hydraulic lifts and jacks and gantry assemblies.

Power Generation

3. Generators make it possible to perform work in locations that are remote or would be otherwise inaccessible. Ranging in size from small towable generators to huge facilities brought in by rail or ship, these different engines and motors are needed to power tools required for various jobs. They can also be used to control the climate or provide light so work can be done in any possible conditions.

Cutting and Joining

4. Large saws, stamping presses, welding jigs, hydraulic-actuated forms, salvage jaws and laser cutting devices all work to either put two things together or take them apart. This equipment can be so large that a facility is built around it or portable enough for a lumberjack to operate in the forest. Salvage yards also various types of heavy equipment to reduce old cars, appliances, airplanes and even ships into small pieces of steel and iron.

Categorizing Equipment

5. There are thousands of types of heavy equipment available on the market to make any job easier. Just as there are machines to put down hot asphalt on a new road, there are stripping machines to take off old asphalt from another road. Pumps the size of building can move hundreds of tons of water per minute out of a river or lake, while another pump is filling a reservoir at a faster rate. Whenever you see a new or different piece of heavy equipment, consider its purpose and use and decide what category it belongs in.

Other Heavy Equipment includes, but is not limited to the following:

Construction equipment, machinery for chemicals, trucks/buses/boats, equipment for lumber and agriculture as well as machinery for stones, metals and minerals.

Preparing your Heavy Equipment for Transport

Being well prepared for your move will help minimize the risks and reduce the stress involved with shipping heavy equipment. Getting your equipment ready to ship includes not only preparing the machinery for travel and possible weather conditions, but also having it ready for the loading/unloading process and having any required permits available. These preparations should be made well before the day of the move to ensure the vehicle transport can take place once the carrier arrives.

Get the Manual

The manufacturer’s manual is a good starting point for preparing your equipment for transport. This should contain the information you need to get your machinery ready and any special precautions you may need to take including the draining of fluids, disconnecting batteries, and securing any parts that may become loose. These manuals are widely available on manufacturer’s websites should you need an extra copy.

Preparing for the Weather

Although you might not be able to control the weather, the next best precaution is to make sure your equipment is ready for it. Protect any parts that could take water damage from possible rainfalls. When shipping in the winter months, prepare the machine to withstand the coldest temperatures possible to prevent freeze damage to tanks and lines. If it is being towed, special precautions may be needed to prevent overheating and to comply with safety guidelines. Once again, the owner’s manual can be a great source of information on preparing your equipment for the weather.

Special Considerations

Consult with the transporter and get any information on what special arrangements you may need to make in preparation for the move. This includes having an area available to load and unload the equipment, as well as arranging for any cranes, ramps, or loading docks that may be necessary.

Permits

For overweight or oversize equipment you may need to obtain special permits. Machinery which is very wide or tall may not fit under bridges or power lines, or may need to use special roads. Most roads have weight limits which prohibit larger vehicles from travelling on them and heavy cargo highways may need to be used for overweight equipment. If you believe your equipment will require special consideration, consult with Performance Auto Carrier and the Motor Carrier Division of your local Department of Transportation.

Shipping Options for Heavy Equipment

Most equipment may need to be shipped on a flatbed or standard trailer, though in some cases it may be able to be towed. For larger or non-moving equipment, you will likely require a specialized trailer such as a Step deck or a Double Drop deck.

For international shipments a roll-on/roll-off service, or a flat-rack container on an overseas transport vessel may be the best option.

Flatbeds

For the majority of Heavy Equipment shipping needs, a simple flatbed is the most common and should be sufficient.

Flatbeds are available in a variety of sizes and capacities, allowing for easy loading and unloading for up to 48,000 pounds. When choosing a flatbed hauler, confirm that that the truck will be able to handle the weight of your equipment and that the tools necessary to load and unload it are available.

Towing

For short distance moves towing your equipment may be an option. Make sure that you know which preparations need to be made to safely tow your machinery, such as preparing the gearbox and tires for towing conditions. Specialty towing companies will have a variety of tow trucks to handle many types and sizes of equipment.

Special Trailers

You may require a special trailer for over-sized or very heavy equipment. Step deck and double drop trailers can allow for taller or heavier equipment to be loaded and transported. If your equipment warrants a specialty trailer, there is a high likelihood that it will also require special permits. Consult with Performance Auto Carrier prior to shipping so that necessary permits and special considerations are taken care of.

Shipping Overseas

When shipping your Heavy Equipment overseas the most common method is roll-on/roll-off. Your equipment is driven on and off the transport vessel via ramps. Another option is a flat rack container in which the Heavy Equipment is placed on the flat rack and loaded onto the transport vessel. These racks can hold equipment up to 88,000 pounds. For some international shipments, it may be necessary to disassemble your equipment prior to shipping and then reassemble upon arrival.

When shipping your equipment overseas, you will need to arrange transport to the warehouse or port where your equipment will leave from.

What should you look at when choosing a Transporter?

Licensing and Reviews

Make sure that your transporter is licensed. Ask your transporter for their Credentials and confirm the information.

Do not be afraid to ask for references and check past customers’ reviews of the transporter. You can also check with the Better Business Bureau. This will give you a much better idea of the level of service and safety that you can expect to receive, and should help you make a more informed decision.

Delivery Time

The delivery time given by the transporter should also factor into your decision. An exceptionally long haul can mean that the transporter is making many transfers, which can lead to more wear and tear on your equipment even while being shipped. Shorter moves with fewer transfers lead to a safer move for your equipment.

You should also be wary of moves that seem unusually short. In these cases, make sure to inquire about the transporters on-time delivery rate.

Insurance

Haulers are required to have a certain amount of insurance. Make sure you inquire about the insurance and the transporter’s claims-to-damage ratio, which should be below 1.5%. Should you need more coverage, your transporter may provide the option of purchasing more insurance, or you can acquire it through a third party.

Be prepared to ask and answer questions

Make sure to ask your transporter any questions you have, and be ready to answer theirs. Providing information for the transporter will help them give you a more accurate estimate for your shipment and allow them to anticipate any special needs. The cost and time of the move can be influenced by many factors, including the working condition of the equipment, the availability of loading docks, ramps, or cranes, as well as any special precautions that are necessary.