How to Safely Transport Construction Equipment
Transporting construction machinery is a challenging task. Several factors are involved in heavy haul transportation, such as weather conditions, provincial traffic laws, the driver’s experience level, and the trailer’s integrity.
When transporting heavy equipment, safety must be your top priority. You want to ensure that the process is safe for the driver, the road traffic, and the equipment itself. This also means abiding by height requirements, securing the load properly, and ensuring that your drivers are experienced and familiar with the road. The best way for your gear to reach its destination safely and on time is to become familiar with everything involved in the shipping process.
Choosing the Right Flatbed Trailer for Your Load
Certain trailers are more optimal for transporting heavy equipment than others. A proper trailer for your load will make a difference in your heavy machinery transportation. If you need help determining which trailer best suits your needs, we recommend reading our resource on trailers.
Ideally, the best trailer for you is cost-effective, fits your equipment, and accommodates the weight. Step decks and double drop trailers are the best for transporting construction equipment. Both step deck trailers and double drop trailers are best used for tall or awkwardly shaped loads, and they’re both very accommodating for shipping heavy equipment.
Experienced Drivers Make a Big Difference
Another critical factor in safe transport services is an experienced driver. Experienced drivers know how to navigate the roads efficiently during poor weather conditions, heavy traffic, and unexpected delays. Drivers must be experienced and knowledgeable about the rules of the road, and it’s their job to transport your shipment safely. Drivers need to know how to load the machine onto the trailer and secure it with chains and tie-downs. If you’re transporting construction equipment, you must be able to trust that your driver will exercise caution on the roads.
Communication with your driver is also imperative. We have a messaging system on our platform that streamlines the communication process between shippers and drivers. Make sure that your time frame is realistic and that you provide accurate information to streamline the pick-up and drop-off process. This will help your driver plan their route before departure.
Preparation for Transport
Preparation is another vital part of construction machinery transport. Make sure you prepare your machine so it can be transported safely and on time.
- First, wash the machine so you can clearly see the tie-down locations. Doing so will also help you see if there’s any damage to the machine.
- If the machine is large, detach any parts of the equipment to fit it within regular dimensions. Otherwise, it may be considered a heavy load. Due to weight restrictions, some disassembled pieces might have to be shipped separately, so check with your driver and see what is best for your shipment.
- Once the machine is loaded onto the trailer, apply the parking brake and put the machine in neutral.
- Chain down your equipment and cover the windows to prevent damage during transit.
- Some drivers might disconnect the battery and cover the exhaust stacks as extra precautions.
Once the machine is secured onto the trailer, the driver will test the breaks and ensure the machine won’t shift during transport. Then, the driver will be on their way with your delivery.
Know Your Machine Well
Make sure you’re familiar with the specs of your equipment, especially the size, measurements, and weight so that you can communicate the information with your driver. Take pictures of the machine and send them to your driver so that they can get a better idea of the kind of equipment they’re hauling. Understanding the specs of your equipment will help you know the tie-down locations and look up manuals online if you need one. Permits are also given based on the measurements of your equipment. If the information on the permit doesn’t match your equipment, you may not be insured if you encounter a problem.
Construction Equipment Transport B.C.
Trusted Dispatch has a network of drivers that transport in and out of British Columbia and the United States. If you have purchased a piece of construction equipment that needs to be safely hauled to a job site, you can count on Trusted Dispatch. Get started today with a free instant quote.
