Essential Steps to Take When Preparing Your Combine Harvester for Shipping

Throughout the year, numerous agricultural equipment auctions are happening around Canada and the United States. This means there are plenty of opportunities to find the equipment you need, whether it’s located in the United States or Canada. All you need is a reliable shipping company with professional drivers who know how to ship across the Canada-U.S. border or across provinces and states to get those long-haul shipments delivered securely.  

Combine harvesters are just one of many sought-after agricultural machines at farm equipment auctions. If you’ve just purchased a combine and need heavy hauling services, look no further than Trusted Dispatch. We have a network of professional drivers specializing in heavy equipment transport services, so your new combine can reach its destination safely and efficiently.

Preparing Your Equipment for Transport

Before shipping, you’ll need to prepare the combine harvester for transportation. To start, take pictures of the combine and take note of any previous marks or damage. If the combine is damaged during transportation, you’ll know exactly where the new damage occurred. You should also clean it to make the tie-down process easier, and be sure to remove any personal belongings from the machine before you load it.

Transporting Oversize Loads

Combine harvesters are massive, heavy, and awkwardly shaped farm implements. This means that a combine typically qualifies as an oversize load. Shipping an oversize load means that special rules and regulations will be in place, so be sure to research the regulations for the states and provinces you’re shipping. Your driver will also know these laws and can advise on additional requirements and costs, such as adding pilot or escort vehicles. 

If you’re unsure whether your combine qualifies as an oversize load, don’t worry! Trusted Dispatch’s powerful Specs Tool has over 60,000 pieces of machinery, including combine harvesters from various companies such as John Deere and New Holland. Just enter the make and model of your machine, and the specifications will automatically load in.

Loading and Unloading Your Combine

When you’re about to load your combine harvester, be sure to park it on a level surface for an easier loading process. You’ll also want to allow enough room for the driver to maneuver around the machine and get into the proper position.

Unloading will follow a very similar process. The trailer will be parked on a flat surface, with enough room to move the machine off of it. Once your combine harvester has been safely unloaded, you’re ready to go!

How to Ship a Combine Long Distance

There are some specific details to note when shipping a combine harvester over a long distance. The further you need the equipment shipped, the higher the cost will be. This increase in cost is due to fuel prices, the time involved, and the driver’s expertise.

Since combines often qualify as oversize loads, your driver may have to alter their route to keep the equipment safe and to abide by regional laws. 

Preparing for Cross-Border Transport

Transporting your combine harvester across the border isn’t as complicated as you might think. With enough research and preparation, shipping from one country to another is easier than ever.

The first thing you should do is research the import regulations, duties, and tariffs. These will tell you everything you need to know about shipping heavy hauls across the border. You’ll also want to have all of your paperwork organized in advance.

All the information and paperwork involved in shipping over the border can be overwhelming and time-consuming, but hiring a trusted customs broker can take the extra weight off your shoulders and make the process go a lot smoother. Customs brokers are up-to-date on international shipping regulations and have plenty of experience in filling out the necessary paperwork.

Shipping Agricultural Equipment in Alberta

Need transportation services for your combine harvester or other agricultural equipment? Trusted Dispatch is here to help. Get started today with a free, instant quote. Simply enter your pick-up location, drop-off location, and your machine’s dimensions, and you’ll receive your quote instantly. It’s that easy!