How to Transport Heavy Equipment

As a business owner or fleet manager, you may have to transport heavy equipment to a new destination. There are many ways you can go about this, but not all methods provide the same results in terms of safety and efficiency.

This guide will go over what must happen before you can drive heavy equipment and what you can do to make the process easier.

Early Considerations

The heavy machinery transport process looks different based on what you will be relocating. Before you can fix equipment to a flatbed, consider the following:

• Equipment measurements: Gather the height, width, length and weight of a machine. Record these details somewhere you can access them when it comes time to pick a loading truck.
• Pickup and dropoff locations: Investigate where you will load and deliver equipment. Machines require stable ground and flat surfaces for safe loading and rigging. 
• Travel permits: The person driving your company’s equipment must contact local and state authorities to check what permits are needed to transport oversized loads.
• Available routes: It’s possible that the road systems en route to your destination have rules regarding the maximum weight a vehicle and its cargo can be to drive safely.
• Vehicle capacities: All specialty trucks designed for heavy machinery hauling operations have set maximum load ratings. Check the vehicle’s or trailer’s manual to ensure a truck can support the weight of your machine.

Preparing Your Equipment for the Transportation Process

It is in your best interest to assess equipment before loading it onto a platform for travel. Depending on the end destination, your machine could be in transit for days at a time. Make sure that your equipment is in solid condition and that all connections are tight and free of leaks.

Remove any loose items inside the equipment, such as personal belongings that could move around. It’s also wise to clean surfaces of dirt, mud and grime to ensure nothing interferes with the tie-downs.

How to Move Heavy Equipment to a Truck’s Flatbed

Moving heavy equipment may require tools such as cranes, ramps, chains and straps to get the machine on the truck and secure it. If you’re handling the moving process on your own, use the steps below to fasten a machine to a truck’s flatbed:

1. Clear the loading site of obstructions or obstacles.
2. Put on any personal protective equipment needed to operate the machine.
3. Designate a safety zone for nearby personnel to stand.
4. Position loading ramps at the back of the flatbed or attach rigging equipment at the appropriate points.
5. Carefully drive the equipment up the ramps (ramp method) or lift and lower the machine to the designated position (crane method).
6. Use chains or straps to fix the machine to the loading platform and tighten them for stability.
7. Perform an inspection to ensure the equipment is secure and ready to travel.

Your Source for Heavy Machinery Hauling Assistance

Nationwide Transport Services is a premier logistics company that takes custom requests. Our professionals have the means to haul heavy equipment for construction, agricultural, mining and industrial teams. We can complete loading and unloading operations to protect your investments, and our fleet is capable of transporting heavy equipment like wheel loaders, skid steers, tractors and more. All of our customers get to work with a dedicated transport specialist to keep them informed and promote peace of mind. 

Reach out to Nationwide Transport Services for a Quote

With Nationwide Transport Services, you have a single source to take your order, dispatch trucks, track your load and verify the delivery. Rely on us for timely, predictable transport services that protect your investment.

Reach out to our experts to request a quote today.