Graders are heavy pieces of equipment used in many settings, including road construction, snow maintenance, and on mining and other construction sites. These large machines do the job effectively and are easily driven within a city or town, but they require careful preparation when shipping from one region to another. If you are looking to move your grader from one job site to the next, it is important to hire a heavy haul shipping company to safely transport your equipment to its destination.
What Is a Grader?
A grader, also known as a road grader or motor grader, is a heavy machine used to create a flat surface. Graders are commonly used in road construction or to set soil or gravel foundation pads prior to the construction of large buildings. They are also used on mining sites to create flat surfaces.
1. Know the Dimensions: How Big Is Your Grader?
There are two types of graders, namely, the rigid frame grader and the articulated frame grader. The most commonly used graders are the articulated frame graders, which come with blades of varying sizes. When working in large-scale infrastructure and civil development projects, the grader of choice has a blade that is 24ft wide. For smaller projects with limited space, 10ft blades are a more suitable option.
When you are looking to ship your equipment, it is important to know the dimensions. If you don’t know the specifications of your machine, use our powerful Specs Tool to find out. Simply enter the make and model of your machine to get your specs. This tool provides the base model dimensions, so if you have any add-ons or customizations, you can calculate those measurements as extra.
Do You Have Motor Grader Attachments?
Additional motor grader attachments, such as straight front blades, hydraulic brooms, scarifiers, and push blocks, may have to be transported separately from the motor grader, depending on their size.
2. Choose the Right Trailer for Your Grader
Large graders, with blades as long as 24ft, are considered oversized due to their dimensions and weight. Choosing a truck and trailer that can safely carry the load when transporting oversized equipment is vital.
These machines often require a step-deck or removable gooseneck trailer for transportation. Removable gooseneck trailers are ideal for heavier equipment, as additional axles can be added to support the extra weight.
3. Find an Experienced Heavy Haul Driver
Loading motor graders and attachments onto the trailer requires skill. Professional heavy haul drivers have the knowledge and expertise to transport your equipment safely to its destination.
Loading and Unloading Procedures
Heavy equipment can be difficult to maneuver, so it is important to hire a driver who can safely load and unload the motor grader to and from the trailer. Loading heavy machinery takes skill and patience, as any imbalance can cause the machine to topple over.
Securement Rules
Your driver must also be aware of cargo securement rules and provide the correct chain grade and straps to support the weight of the machine sufficiently. While machines that fall within the standard size range require securement at the four corners of the load, oversized graders require additional securement to support the weight.
Provincial and State Permits
When transporting oversized equipment, obtaining the proper permits for travel is necessary. Transport regulations may also require flags and signage to be displayed prominently on the truck and trailer to alert passing drivers. Pilot cars will lead the heavy load and scout the travel route for problems to alert the driver ahead of time.
4. Prepare Your Grader for Transport
It is important to prepare your grader for transport ahead of the pick-up date.
Take Photos of Your Grader
Photos will help your driver prepare to ship your equipment. If your grader has extra attachments, you’ll help your driver by sharing photos of these too.
Clean Your Machine
Motor graders can get pretty dirty on construction sites, so we recommend that you clean your equipment prior to pick up. This makes it easier for the driver to locate the tie-down points on the machine. It also helps you to identify any damage to the body of the machine prior to pick up.
Prepare the Loading and Unloading Site
When loading and unloading heavy machinery, it is helpful to ensure that your driver can work on a flat surface with sufficient space to accommodate the truck, the trailer, and the heavy machine.
5. Stay in Touch During the Transport
You will receive the driver’s contact details once you confirm the load, so be sure to pass on any relevant information about your equipment and confirm the shipment prior to the pick-up date. Continue to check in during transport. The driver can alert you of any problems or delays due to traffic or inclement weather.
Your Trusted Load Board for Heavy Equipment Shipping
Trusted Dispatch makes it easy for you to ship your heavy equipment anywhere across North America with our network of professional drivers located in Canada and the United States. All drivers are vetted for professionalism, licensing, and are fully cargo insured. To get started with your free quote:
- Enter the pick-up location
- Enter the drop-off destination
- Enter the size dimensions of your machine (If you don’t know your specs, use our powerful Specs Tool to find out).
Once you get your free quote, post your load to the load board to connect with your driver!
