Whether you own a small acreage or a commercial farm, tractors are indispensable for everything. Depending on your tractor, it can be an essential part of pulling equipment and transporting items on your land, clearing snow and debris, or planting and bringing in the harvest. When you’re finally ready to sell your old tractor or purchase a new one, it’s essential to find a reliable transport company to deliver it to the destination safely and efficiently.
Whether you’re shipping a tractor across the province, the country, or the Canada/U.S. border, the shipping method you choose matters. This article will break down all the factors involved in tractor transport in North America, including how to find the best tractor transport services for your needs.
In this Article
Buying and Selling Tractors
Tractor Transport Services
Transporting Heavy Equipment To and From the United States
What to Look For In a Heavy Equipment Shipping Company
Why to Get a Quote from Trusted Dispatch before Buying, Selling, or Shipping a Tractor
Buying and Selling Tractors
When you’re in the market for buying or selling a tractor, there are several variables to consider upfront, including:
- The type and model of tractor you need or have.
- Your budget for the full costs, including buying, inspections, potential repairs, and tractor shipping.
Once these primary questions are answered, you can begin shopping and comparing. Online marketplaces and auctions can improve your ability to shop and compare by expanding your selection, especially for used tractors. A few variables may influence your choices, such as market availability and the location of tractor stores. However, location does not have to be a significant barrier to purchasing, thanks to affordable modern shipping capabilities and your ability to get a shipping quote before you make a purchase.
Tractor Types
Did you know that the first gas-powered tractor was introduced in 1890? It took a few decades to catch on as a trend, but the race was on once farmers realized how much time, labor, and money they could save using a mechanized tractor. The tractor has evolved over time, incorporating new technologies, becoming more powerful, and improving in terms of efficiency. The need for tractors remains strong today due to their versatility in various settings.
Different parts of the world have different top-performing brands, but the current top ten best-selling tractors in the USA are:
- John Deere
- Mahindra
- Massey Ferguson
- New Holland
- Kubota
- Class Tractors
- Case IH
- Sonalika
- Fendt
- SAME Tractors
Tractor Shortages
Recent years have put a significant strain on the farm equipment industry for various reasons. Fluctuations in demand have led to a reduction in new tractor production and an increase in used tractor purchases. Iron production has also been affected by the changes in consumer demand, shortages in the supply chain, the global COVID-19 pandemic, and extreme weather events, such as the 2021 winter storm in Texas. Thanks to this, tractor costs may be rising, which is why it’s more essential than ever to cut costs on your tractor shipping services and calculate your shipping before you buy or sell.
Online Markets
As online markets have flourished in recent years, so has the popularity of using those platforms to buy and sell used tractors, farm equipment, and vehicles. Whether it’s a local buy and sell board, an online market such as Kijiji, or a vehicle-focused platform such as Agdealer, Equipment Trader, MarketBook, or Autotrader, buyers and sellers are making the most of these online opportunities. One key factor to consider when planning to purchase a used tractor online is how to get the equipment shipped to the final destination. We’ll examine tractor transportation options to consider in the next section of this article.
Farm Equipment Auctions
Farm equipment and heavy machinery auctions are another highly-popular venue type for buying and selling machines, vehicles, and equipment of all sorts. Many auction houses across North America will focus on farm machinery and tractors, helping individuals get fair prices and a better selection of items. The benefit of online auctions is that people all over North America can find the pieces of machinery they need no matter how far away they are located. Trusted Dispatch partners with virtual and in-person auctions across North America to make shipping as easy as clicking a few buttons.
Tractor Transport Services
Shipping a large piece of equipment such as a tractor is often more complex than calling your friend with a pickup truck or trailer, even if it’s a small tractor. In order to safely and securely deliver any piece of heavy equipment to a destination, especially over long distances, you need a professional driver with certified experience and the right equipment to do the job. This reduces your risk and protects your investment, while also ensuring you get great start-to-finish transport services.
How Does Large Equipment Shipping Work?
Shipping heavy equipment doesn’t have to be complicated, especially with a professional shipping company. You only need a few details to get an instant, accurate quote. Start by entering your pickup location, drop-off destination, and the specs of your machine, and our online tool gives you the quote instantly, for free. If you choose to, your load will then be posted to our load board and matched with one of our professional drivers. Once you’ve been matched with a driver, you’ll be ready to ship.
Farm Equipment Transport Across the Border
Are you planning to ship your tractor across the Canada-USA border? Shipping across North America can be straightforward if you follow a few processes. We recommend using a customs broker to help you prepare your load and ensure the proper paperwork is filled out. An experienced cross-border driver will be able to advise you on international shipping processes as well as recommend a customs broker. At Trusted Dispatch, we also have a list of recommended trusted and professional customs brokers that can help you get your farm equipment to or from the United States with minimal hassle.
Preparing to Ship Your Tractor
Once you have chosen your tractor transport company, there are several steps you can take to ensure your equipment is ready for transportation services. When you take the time for these preparations, you’ll also speed up the load time of your equipment and help your driver protect your tractor during transport:
- Read the manual for any special directions for transporting your tractor model.
- Disconnect the battery, especially for long distances.
- Securely cover the smokestack to prevent debris from getting inside during shipping.
- Position your tractor in a designated loading zone. Try to choose a level spot that has plenty of overhead clearance and room to turn around if needed.
- Consider washing your tractor before the pick update. A clean machine allows you to clear off the tie-down spots for the driver and gives you the chance to inspect any damage.
- We also recommend taking photos of the tractor before it is loaded onto a trailer. Images are particularly helpful if you are shipping for clients and buyers.
Trailer Types in North America
Are you curious about how our drivers will transport your tractor? All of our truckers are experienced professionals and will select the right trailer for the job. The trailer type they choose will depend on the load that requires transporting, how it will be secured, and operational costs. For example, if a driver was hauling an oversized load, additional route planning, special permits, and pilot escorts will need to be arranged in advance. However, typical shipments of tractors are fairly straightforward, so these extra details will most likely be unnecessary.
Transporting Heavy Equipment To and From the United States
Are you hunting for the right new or used tractor but can’t find it in your immediate area? You can stop checking your local listings and start using online auctions and marketplaces to find more opportunities to locate the right piece of equipment at the right price. It’s easier than ever to purchase farm tractors from anywhere in North America, as long as you have a plan for shipping. That tractor from virtually anywhere in the United States or Canada can be yours when you have the right strategy in place and use Trusted Dispatch to arrange your cross-border shipping.
Shipping Heavy Equipment Internationally
Transporting heavy equipment or farm machinery across the Canada-USA border is similar to transporting farm tractors within Canada or within the United States. Both countries are vast in size, making transport across North America comparable to transport across either country. The driver needs to have the right truck and trailer for a long haul to keep the machinery secure over great distances. The main difference with international shipping is the paperwork that is required to move the equipment over the border. This is where a border agent or customs broker can help.
Benefits of Hiring a Border Agent/Customs Broker
If your company regularly ships across the border, you may have a designated staff member who handles your international shipping paperwork. However, cross-border shipping can feel complicated and overwhelming if you’re an individual or rarely ship over the border. We recommend working with a customs broker to make the process smooth and straightforward. A customs broker knows which forms need to be filled out, what the current regulations are regarding international shipments of farm equipment, and will be able to estimate applicable taxes or tariffs. Customs brokers help make getting your tractor across the border easier for both you and your driver.
What to Look For In a Heavy Equipment Shipping Company
Choosing the right transport company is essential if you want to ensure your tractor is delivered in good shape and on the agreed schedule. You might have other considerations, such as a pickup or delivery to a rural location or perhaps a specific budget. Finding a heavy equipment shipping company that suits your needs and has a professional reputation requires a little bit of research. Here are a few tips to consider when comparing the different companies.
Experienced, Professional Drivers
Whether you’re purchasing or sending a machine to an auction, your tractor has value. A professional driver will know exactly which trailer to use and how to tie it down securely to transport it safely to the destination. Experienced drivers can give you advice on any required permits or regulations involved in the shipment. With professional drivers, you can have confidence that the transport happens according to safety regulations.
Exceptional Customer Service
The last thing you need is a transport company that never picks up the phone. A reliable shipping company will be happy to answer all your questions over the phone, via email, or even with an online chat feature. Whether you need assistance with payment, have questions about shipping requirements, or need to know more about how to use the system, you want to reach a qualified person in the company who is happy to help. If a company delays responding to your inquiries, you might want to consider one that efficiently responds and is helpful. Look for an online chat option and a phone number you can call for support.
Transparent Pricing
When you’re transporting heavy machinery and equipment, you need to know that your load arrives safely, securely, and on schedule. Nobody wants to overpay for shipping, but you also want to be wary of companies that offer very low-budget prices. If a price is too low, it usually means that corners are being cut somewhere along the line. If you want the best value and quality service, then look for a company that gives transparent quoting. That way, you’ll know that your cost is based on real factors, such as the shipping distance, the specs of the machine, and that the drivers are paid a fair wage for their experience, knowledge, and reliable service.
Strong Testimonials
The best way to determine whether a shipping company is reliable is to check out their reviews and testimonials. Hearing the experiences of other customers can give you insight into a company’s service performance. The more reviews, the better picture you’ll see of the company. Look for details regarding the professionalism of the drivers, the helpfulness of the company, and overall satisfaction of the customer.
Choose Trusted Dispatch for Tractor Transport in North America
Trusted Dispatch is your professional farm equipment and tractor transport company for anywhere in North America. Our truckers are experienced professionals ready to deliver your load to your destination. We ship machines all over Canada, the United States, and across the border.
At Trusted Dispatch, we make the process as simple as possible. Start by using our free calculator to enter a pickup and drop-off location along with the weight and dimensions of your tractor to get an instant free quote. Next, publish your load for free to our community of expert heavy haul truckers. Then, one of our drivers will haul your equipment door-to-door, safely and on time.
Have questions about the process? Need assistance using our system? Our team is here to help with any inquiry. We’re here for a chat and we always answer back.
