Unlike regular shipping for smaller items, tractor transport requires specialized equipment and professional drivers. One of the most important factors in shipping a tractor is the size, shape, and weight of the machine. This factor determines the type of trailer and equipment that are needed, the experience required of the driver, the cost of the shipping, and anything else needed for safe, efficient transport.
Finding the best transport company for moving your piece of heavy equipment may seem daunting, but it can be made more straightforward if you are prepared. Let’s walk through seven top tips from our experienced drivers so you can get the best quote and experience the next time you’re shipping farm equipment.
Tractor Shipping
Since the tractor is such a versatile machine, there are many more sub-categories of tractor models suited for all types of industry, including:
- Construction
- Oil and Gas
- Mining
- Orchards and Vineyards
- Crop Farming
- Animal Farming
- Large-Scale Gardening
- General Purpose
No matter what you use your tractor for or whether it is for commercial or residential purposes, if you need to transport it to another location, you’ll want to protect your investment and make sure it arrives safely. Here are our top seven tips to help you find a reliable tractor shipping company, get the best price, and get start-to-finish service that makes shipping simple.
Easy to Use Shipping Services
When a tractor transport business is easy to work with, you’ll know they are a good fit. Farm equipment transport doesn’t need to be complicated. The principles of shipping are the same no matter what items are being hauled. A good indicator of a reliable company is one that has a simple and straightforward process, whether you’re booking online, using your mobile device, or calling the office.
In the past, shipping large equipment could be complex. At Trusted Dispatch, it was our goal to make shipping heavy equipment straightforward while getting reliable service. Our online quote generator allows you to enter the pickup and drop-off locations for your shipment along with the dimensions of the make and model of the tractor, after which it delivers a free quote instantly. Once you’re ready to ship, it’s an easy step to publish your load and connect with a professional driver with the specific experience and equipment you need.
Responsive Customer Support
A customer-focused company is the ideal tractor transport service. Whether it’s your first time shipping heavy equipment or it’s your everyday role, you’re likely to encounter questions or challenges. Anyone can search around a website for frequently asked questions and answers, but sometimes you just need to talk to someone for your specific situation.
Finding a company that replies promptly to messages and phone calls is a good indicator that you’ll receive reliable assistance throughout the shipping process. A customer-oriented company may also have additional methods of communication to help make the shipping process smoother for their clients, such as an instant messaging feature on their website, as well as email addresses, phone numbers, and website contact forms. Although you may not need to speak with customer support to ship your load, it’s great to know there is someone to get in touch with in those unexpected situations.
Good Reviews
When researching a new business of any kind, word-of-mouth is often the best indicator of quality, professional service. It’s always great to ask your colleagues for a company they recommend. When it’s not possible to get a recommendation from a friend, online reviews and testimonials are a great way to find feedback and ratings from real customers. The best places to find accurate reviews are usually included on the website in testimonials or a rating feature. You can also browse reviews on Google or other business rating websites.
Fair Pricing
The price of transporting farming and agricultural equipment is a major factor when it comes to choosing the best option for shipping. In shipping, the lowest possible price doesn’t always translate to the best service. A professional driver will require fair compensation to cover their costs and ensure the shipment is transported door-to-door securely.
Transparent pricing is based on three main factors, the weight and size of the shipment, the distance it needs to be shipped, and the fair compensation for the professional driver.
At Trusted Dispatch, we provide free quotes instantly when you share the basic details of your shipping needs. Our online calculator is quick and easy to use. Your pick-up and drop-off locations and specs are all you need to get your quote right away. You can also use the free powerful Specs Tool to get accurate measurements of virtually any make or model of tractor. Once you’ve entered those details, you can start planning your budget and timeline.
Professional, Expert Drivers
For a shipping company to have high ratings, it needs to have professional drivers. Certified, professional drivers have the experience and expertise to pull loads of all sizes, weights, and dimensions. They’ll know which truck and trailer they need to get the job done. Truly experienced, vetted drivers have years of experience hauling loads for construction companies, the mining and resource sector, the oil and gas industry, and agriculture operations. Our leading-edge technology platform enables you to ship your tractor or other farm machinery with an available and fully cargo-insured driver.
Pickup and Delivery Across North America
If you’re looking to purchase a new or used tractor, sometimes the best option is located on the other side of the country. The best option might even be across the border into the United States. Finding a heavy hauling company that offers pickup and delivery across North America means you don’t have to limit your search radius to find the perfect tractor. Companies that provide professional shipping in any location will often have an experienced team and a well-managed operation to help with all of the logistics.
Trusted Dispatch works with a network of professional drivers across Canada and the United States. When your load gets published to our platform, it will be picked up by a driver coming to your area. Our process is straightforward and convenient for everyone involved. Plus, you can relax knowing that an expert is making your delivery.
Plus, when you use Trusted Dispatch for cross-border shipping, you can have peace of mind that your driver knows what to do when hauling machinery across the border. We recommend contacting a customs broker to help you sort out the paperwork before picking up your tractor. No one wants to have a shipment sit at the border due to a forgotten form! We have a list of reputable customs brokers our customers have used and whom we highly recommend. Your driver may also have additional tips or suggestions for making the long-haul shipment go smoothly.
Types of Equipment
It’s important to find a company that provides heavy hauling services that fit your needs. Looking at the types of equipment a shipping company has hauled in the past will give you a good indication of whether they can help you out or not. Does the company have a gallery or a list of items previously shipped? If their drivers have transported combines or other agricultural or commercial equipment before, you’ll know they have the experience they need to ship your tractor.
When you ship any item of any size, you often need to know its dimensions in order to receive an accurate quote. In tractor shipping, drivers need the same information before they can agree to carry the load and complete the shipment. You can use our free Specs Tool to find the exact dimensions of your make and model. This will also ensure that a driver that has the perfect truck and trailer combination to haul it to the destination, making the transportation safer.
You can help prepare your tractor for shipping with a few easy steps. Washing your machine down to remove excessive mud and grime helps make it easier to find the latch points or tie-down spots that your driver will need to use. Lining up your tractor into position to make it easier and faster for your driver to load the machine is also helpful. We recommend choosing a location that is level and allows for easy manoeuvering. If you can locate the owner’s manual or find it online, that can also give helpful tips for preparing your model for transport.
Expert Tractor Shipping in North America
The tractor is the lifeblood of your farming operations, which is why you need a reliable, experienced driver to transport it to where it needs to go. Whether you’ve purchased a new model or are sending yours to auction, you want peace of mind that it will arrive intact and on schedule. Trusted Dispatch is your go-to farm equipment shipping company for shipments in Canada, the United States, and across the border. Get your free quote today.
Bonus Tips for Purchasing the Right Tractor for Your Needs
Let’s begin by looking at the types of tractors and how to choose which one you need if you are purchasing one.
Types of Tractors
There are three main types of tractors on the market that are designed for different ranges of tasks.
Sub-Compact Tractors
A sub-compact tractor typically has an engine with less than 25 horsepower.
Compact Tractors
The next level up is the compact tractor which runs between 25 to 60 horsepower.
Utility Tractors
The larger-scale agriculture tractors are utility tractors ranging from 60 to 140 horsepower.
Choosing the Right Tractor
When shopping around for any new piece of equipment or vehicle, it’s essential to know what you’ll be using it for, especially when selecting a new tractor model. Here are a few helpful questions to ask to narrow down your reason for making the purchase.
- Do you need a more powerful engine because your current model isn’t up to the job?
- Has your current tractor run out of steam, and do you need a replacement?
- Have you expanded your operations, and do you need another tractor to help get the current tasks completed?
Deciding Factors
After you determine the general reason for purchasing a new tractor, you’ll also want to get more specific about your planned usage to help you choose the correct make and model. Some of these factors include the tasks you’ll need to perform, the compatibility for attaching implements, the terrain, and the horsepower requirements.
Tasks
Keeping in mind the various tasks you’ll require using your tractor will help you determine which type of tractor you need to purchase. If you’re farming a small amount of cropland, then you probably don’t need the largest, most powerful tractor on the market. However, if you’re farming more than 2,000 acres, you’ll want the most efficient tractor available. And you might need a fleet of them.
Attachment Capability
Before focusing on the brand of a tractor to buy, it’s more useful to research tractor models and their attachment capabilities. Different attachments will require different horsepower and maneuverability. For each brand you are considering, start by taking a look at how they interact with the different attachments you already have. The best value will be a new or used tractor that works with the equipment you already own. Extra value and saving money are the biggest influencers in decision-making.
Landscape and Terrain
Another factor that is important to consider when choosing a tractor to purchase is the type of terrain you’ll be using it on. If your land is wide open, flat, and without any obstacles, you’ll be able to maneuver a large-scale tractor easily. However, if your farmland is in a mountainous region with rocky terrain, you might have no other option than to choose a smaller-scale tractor for better agility. If you’re new to the world of farming or have recently begun working on new land, it’s important to evaluate the landscape. However, if you’ve been doing this your whole life, you probably already know which type of tractor to purchase.
Weight
Last but not least, it’s essential to know how much weight your tractor will be pulling or lifting. The heavier the load, the more horsepower is needed to get the job done correctly. Overworking a tractor beyond its capabilities can result in expensive damages. Each tractor brand and model will include detailed load restrictions. Your best decision is to find a tractor that easily covers the tasks you need it for.
