How Do You Heavy Haul Equipment?
Safe equipment transport begins with correct loading techniques for heavy equipment. Before hauling heavy equipment, it is necessary to choose the right trailer or heavy-duty carrier for each machine. Conduct safety checks of the trailer, towing vehicle, and equipment, and establish a securement system that is suitable.
Determine Your Equipment’s Weight and Height
The first step in moving heavy equipment is to determine the equipment’s dimensions and weight. Be sure to verify the actual height, width, and weight of your equipment to guide your other transportation choices, since many DOT rules for cargo transportation are based on equipment size and weight.
Determine Whether Oversize or Overweight Permit is Needed
Some oversized load transports require prior authorization. If you are moving a backhoe, dozer, dump truck, or other heavy pieces of equipment, check your state’s regulations to see whether or not a permit is required. The permit may also mandate that extra escort cars accompany the heavy carrier to inform other drivers of the load’s presence.
Transporting large or overweight equipment can be extremely expensive. Thus, some businesses take steps to avoid these classifications. Consider removing all work tools and accessories and transporting them separately if your equipment is too heavy. Consider retractable buckets, booms, or accessories to minimize overheight equipment. This can simultaneously reduce shipping costs and safety risks.
Choose the Correct Trailer Size and Capacity
When selecting a trailer to ship your equipment, search for one with the appropriate carrying capacity. Remember to include the trailer’s weight when estimating the total weight your car will be transporting. Determine the optimal location of the equipment on the trailer in order to divide the equipment’s weight equally.
While transporting heaving equipment, ensure that your trailer can handle the equipment’s height for safe passage under bridges and overpasses. On the majority of interstates, the FHWA mandates a minimum clearance height of 14 feet, but others need 16 feet. Choose a trailer that meets this height requirement, such as a lowboy or step-deck trailer.
Inspect Your Equipment Shipping Trailer
Before loading equipment onto your trailer, examine its anchor points to ensure that they are in excellent condition. Examine the machinery for any weak spots or evidence of damage that might undermine its security. Check the trailer for any debris that might get dislodged during transport and cause damage to other cars.
Load and Secure Your Equipment
It is time to load your equipment once you have picked your trailer, arranged for weight and height considerations, and examined your transporter. The driver will load and secure your equipment in compliance with DOT rules if you are working with a heavy equipment hauling company. If you want to load your equipment into the trailer yourself, you must notify the heavy transport firm in advance and organize a time with the driver. After loading the equipment into the trailer, it must be fastened to the transport vehicle.
A Final Thought on Hauling Heavy Equipment
The safe and legal transportation of heavy equipment doesn’t stop once the ignition is turned on. Securing heavy loads on the road necessitates inspections and checks, especially when traveling long distances. Industry safety standards recommend inspection once during the first 50 miles of transport, once every 150 miles or once every 3 hours, and at every change of duty or change of driver station.
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