Heavy equipment will probably require special shipping considerations because of its size and weight. Shipping bulldozers, cranes, tractors, or other heavy industrial or farm equipment may require a specialized hauler. The first step in shipping heavy equipment is to have accurate dimensions and weight for the transporter. These can help the transporter determine the type of trailer needed, and if any special considerations need to be made. You can consult your owner's manual or ritchiespecs.com for more information regarding your equipments dimensions and weight.
Once you have the dimensions, consider your various heavy equipment shipping options. Your equipment may be towed, shipped on a flatbed, or it may require a special trailer. International shipping presents a whole new set of decisions as well. Carefully research your options and choose one that will work for you.
Your next step is choosing a transporter. Heavy equipment hauling can be a difficult task, and it is important to choose a company that specializes in it. Working with an experienced broker can help take some of the guesswork out of the shipping process, while working directly with a business or an owner/operator can allow you to be more involved in the process and can often result in more personalized service.
Before the day of the move, you will need to prepare your equipment for transport. Take steps to make sure that your equipment will arrive safely and is prepared for any adverse conditions it may encounter in transit. You might need to make special preparations for overweight or oversized equipment. Work with your service provider to acquire all necessary permits for the day of the move.
All legal carriers are required to have a certain amount of insurance, but you may need to purchase more in order to be properly protected. When purchasing heavy equipment freight insurance, make sure you know what your policy covers and how to make a claim should the need arise.
Shipping heavy equipment does not have to be such a heavy burden. A little research and preparation can go a long way toward ensuring a smooth shipping experience.