Everything You Need to Know About Farm Equipment Shipping
Shipping large farm equipment can feel like a daunting process. However, having the right strategy in place can help make it easier. In this article, we will go over the process of shipping farm equipment from the preparation to drop off to help you feel more comfortable getting started.
How to Prepare Farm Equipment for Shipping
You can do several things to prepare your load that will help avoid frustrating complications when the driver arrives to pick it up.
Parking your equipment in the right spot to be loaded is very important. It should be parked in a large, open space with even terrain. The rough, uneven ground makes loading heavy haul shipments dangerous. If the space is too constricted, the truck and trailer may not be able to load the equipment. Designating your loading spot ahead of time and bringing your equipment to it is recommended.
You’ll also want to ensure that your equipment has been wiped down. This allows you to check for damage before the driver arrives and generally makes the tie-down process much more manageable.
How to Ship Tractor Attachments and Other Implements
If you need to ship a tractor with some attachments, there are some specific trailers that can accommodate this. Unfortunately, sometimes those types of shipments do need to be split into multiple loads, depending on the size and weight of the farm equipment. Our drivers will do their best to haul your shipment all in one load where possible.
Here are some trailers that can accommodate most shipments of tractors alongside attachments.
Double-drop trailers: Double-drop trailers, also known as lowboys, consist of two upper decks and one lower deck, which creates two drops, hence the name. On the lower deck, larger, taller loads can be easily transported, and smaller pieces of equipment can fit on the upper decks.
The three decks make these trailers excellent choices for shipping tractors alongside their attachments.
Step-deck trailers: These trailers are also known as single-drop trailers. They consist of a lower deck (the drop) and a higher deck. They are easy to load and have a high weight capacity, making them very versatile. Taller loads can be transported on the lower deck and smaller ones on the higher deck. This makes them ideal for transporting attachments alongside tractors.
What Is Load Assistance and When Do Drivers Need It?
Some larger loads, such as combine harvesters, can be difficult to load onto trailers. On occasion, outside assistance is needed to secure some oversize loads. You can provide this assistance yourself or leave it up to the driver (though this may make it harder to get a driver to take on your load). You might need access to a crane to lift the equipment onto the deck, or perhaps it can be loaded with a tractor and the right attachment. Nevertheless, this is something you will want to plan ahead of time.
The Power of Photos
You can assist your driver in preparing for shipping day by uploading a photo ahead of time. Uploading a photo of the agricultural machinery allows the driver to visualize the process of loading the equipment onto the trailer, which helps them plan ahead for things like load assistance and how they’ll secure the load.
Ship Your Farm Machinery With a Top Rated Shipping Company
Whether it’s a large combine harvester or a tractor alongside attachments, Trusted Dispatch can handle your farming equipment loads with ease. We make it simple to get a free quote instantly and have a customer support team available to answer tough questions by email, phone, or online chat.
Our network of knowledgeable drivers will work with you to load the equipment safely and efficiently. Trusted Dispatch is the simplest way to ship your farm equipment at a fair rate for customers and drivers. Get your free, instant quote today!
