How to Safely Ship a Combine Harvester
A combine harvester is an essential machine for modern farming. With oversize grain tanks, wide swathers, and state-of-the-art software installed, modern combines allow farmers to cultivate more acres than ever before in far less time. With all the bells and whistles, these vital agriculture machines are worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, brand new, and even used, depending on the make and model. So obviously, when you need to transport your combine, you want to ensure that it is shipped securely and safely.
Rules of Carrying Oversize Loads
Combines are massive machines that often measure into the oversize category. The prairie provinces have exemptions for transporting oversized farming equipment, meaning flags, lights, and signs are mandatory; however extra permits and escort vehicles are generally not required. It’s important to check the rules for your region before hauling your equipment.
If you’re not sure about the specs of your machine, our powerful Specs Tool contains measurements for over 60,000 pieces of equipment, including combine harvesters by New Holland, John Deere, Case IH, AGCO, and Claas. Start by entering the make, then the model of your machine and the measurements will auto-populate. You can then customize the calculations based on attachments or other specifications. Depending on the age of your machine, the manufacturer’s website may also have the exact measurements available.
Choosing the Right Trailer Types
An oversize heavy haul needs a specific type of heavy haul trailer. Not only do you need a trailer that can accommodate the width and length of the machine, but it also needs to be low enough to accommodate any overhead wires on the route or underpasses. Another consideration is the weight of the combine. These pieces of farming equipment can weigh upwards of 16,000kg and may require additional axles on the truck and trailer to provide enough weight capacity both for the truck and for the rules of the road infrastructure.
Choosing a specialty trailer, such as a removable gooseneck trailer (RGN), is ideal for loading and unloading a combine. Due to the height of a combine, you’ll also want to choose a trailer that is low to the ground, such as a drop-deck or lowboy trailer. The closer to the ground the deck is, the more clearance the top of the machine will have.
Loading and Unloading
Loading and unloading heavy-duty machinery requires precision and experience. RGN trailers detach from the semi-truck and act as a ramp for the combine to be driven on and off the trailer. This type of trailer can also be referred to as a roll-on/roll-off. An experienced driver will be able to guide you to safely and efficiently drive your machine onto the trailer while they take care of securing the tie downs.
Fully-Vetted, Experienced Heavy Haul Drivers
You can have peace of mind that your shipment will be matched with a driver in your area for convenience and reliability. At Trusted Dispatch, we only work with fully-vetted, experienced heavy haul drivers. In addition to years of experience, all of our drivers have full cargo insurance, so your shipment is protected in transit.
Our drivers live for heavy haul shipping. It’s what motivates them to be owner-operators. Some have even been farmers themselves or still are, which means they know how to transport your equipment by using specialized agriculture trailers. Whether you’re shipping a combine harvester, sprayer, swather, or tractor, you’ll know it’s in good hands.
Shipping Combines and Agriculture Equipment From Auction Sites
Two of the best places to find quality, used farming equipment are auction sites and used dealers, such as AG Dealer. It’s important to always factor in the cost of transport for your machine when investing in equipment. It’s a detail that can sometimes be overlooked or underestimated. While no one wants to overpay for heavy haul shipping, it’s also not the area where you want to cut corners. You want to find a reliable and reputed heavy haul shipping company so that your equipment is delivered on time, safely, and at a fair rate.
At Trusted Dispatch, we prioritize professionalism and safety with all of our drivers. We mandate that windshields on all machines are covered to protect from stone chips or other possible debris during transport. Depending on the duration of the haul, your driver will take the appropriate safety measures. For longer hauls, the driver will recommend disconnecting the batter and covering any exhaust pipes or smoke stacks on machines.
Our drivers will always pull away slowly to ensure the load is in place securely and will not shift during transport. Once that safety check is complete, the driver will begin the journey to safely deliver your machine on schedule. You can see some of our drivers in action with various farming equipment haul here.
Trusted Combine Harvester Shipping in Canada
Get your free, instant quote for shipping your combine or another piece of farming equipment today. Start using our free shipping calculator by entering your pick-up location, drop-off location, and dimensions, and you’ll instantly get a free quote to save for later or publish right away.
