Tractors are handy machines. They can perform a long list of essential functions on any job site, from construction projects to resource extraction sites to farming operations. Getting hard work done on your job site or farm requires the use of a tractor. But what about when you need to transport your tractor from one location to another across longer distances? Transporting a tractor might require a short trip from one property to another, but it could also require long-haul shipping across provinces, the country, or even the border.
Moving most tractors over a long distance typically requires a flatbed trailer, a truck, and a professional driver. Some businesses will have their own vehicles and transportation equipment, but if you don’t, that’s where tractor transportation services come in to get the job done. Before hiring a heavy equipment transportation company, let’s look at ten essential things you should know about tractor shipping.
1. The Benefits of an Experienced, Professional Driver
You want a driver that has experience securing large pieces of equipment, so you know that your load will arrive safely at its destination. Paying for quality service doesn’t need to break the bank but will give you peace of mind. A fair shipping price can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Knowing that your equipment will arrive undamaged is worth spending a bit more on the transportation cost. A professional driver also deserves to be paid a fair rate for their expertise in the transportation industry and level of service.
Pricing can be a good indicator of the experience a shipping company has. If a shipping company gives you a quote that sounds too good to be true, then it probably is. While arranging the shipment of a tractor doesn’t need to be complicated, the process and cost should reflect the variables of the job. The main components of shipping prices include the distance traveled and the type of machinery that needs shipping. Different types of machinery require specific types of trailers in order to be hauled from one location to another.
2. International Shipping and Customs Brokers
When shipping farm equipment across the border, it’s essential to know all the rules and regulations involved in international shipping. Professional drivers will have experience crossing the border with heavy equipment safely and securely. You may wonder if it is really necessary to involve a customs broker in the process of transporting your tractor or other pieces of farming and agricultural equipment across the Canada-USA border. When considering the option, the important thing to remember is that you want to ensure it arrives without hassle or avoidable delays.
We recommend hiring a customs broker to assist with your paperwork. A customs broker will know the ins and outs of the latest regulations and be able to estimate applicable tariffs and fees. And since it’s your responsibility to ensure that all the necessary paperwork is filled in correctly and that all applicable tariffs are paid, why wouldn’t you want expert advice?
Failing to file the paperwork could potentially cost you additional fines or even prevent your shipment from crossing the border. Hiring a customs broker to guide you through the process and file the form can save you time, money, and stress. When arranging a heavy haul, it’s always best to be fully prepared. We have a list of highly-recommended customs brokers who can assist you with international shipping.
Transparent Quoting
The distance your industrial or farm tractor will be shipped is a significant component in calculating the cost of transportation. Based on your pickup location and destination, your driver will be able to plan the best route for the size of the load that needs to be hauled. Heavy equipment transporters will ask you for the door-to-door shipping locations and the equipment specs and then offer you a shipping quote.
You can use our website or download the Trusted Dispatch app to get your quote on the go. Our process is quick and easy. Enter the pickup and drop-off locations along with the measurements, and you’ll get a free quote with the click of a button instantly.
Need more information? You can also learn more about what goes into a shipping quote.
3. How to Find the Correct Measurements
There are many different types of tractors on the market, varying in size, capabilities, and horsepower. When looking to ship your specific make and model of tractor, knowing the specs of your machine is essential to booking transport or requesting a quote. The dimensions and weight of your tractor let the driver know which trailer they’ll need, which route to plan, and it also helps them determine a fair quote for the service.
How can you find out the dimensions of your tractor? You may still have your owner’s manual for your machine. Inside that manual, you will find the exact measurements of your tractor make and model, along with the weight of the machine and transportation guidelines for safety. However, if you’ve misplaced your owner’s manual, you can usually find a copy online on the brand’s website. For example, if you own a sub-compact John Deere tractor, you can probably locate your manual on the John Deere website.
If you’re searching for the measurements and weight of your machine, you can also use our powerful free Specs Tool. Just enter the make of your machine and you’ll automatically see suggestions with complete specs. We have over 60,000 makes and models stored in our app, so you’ll be able to find your tractor or one close to it that will help give you a more accurate shipping quote.
4. Preparing Your Tractor For Shipping
Preparing your tractor in advance for shipping can help speed up the process of loading the equipment onto the trailer. It can also help your driver ensure the machine gets securely tied down in all the right places. Some helpful things you can do to prepare your tractor for transport include washing the machine. Hosing down your tractor to wash off the build-up of mud, grime, and dirt can do wonders. Your machine will look better, which is beneficial if the destination is an auction site. Cleaning off the tractor also makes it easier to find the tie-down spots that the driver will need access to for securing the machine into place.
Other ways that you can prepare for shipment are to put the tractor or other piece of farm machinery into an ideal position for loading. This will save you the time and effort of having to reposition the tractor when the driver does arrive. Although you may know your tractor well, there may be important information contained in the manual that will help with the transport. Locating your original manual or tracking down an online version can help both you and the driver be prepared for any complications.
5. Safety Procedures to Follow
There are other ways you can prepare your tractor for safe shipping and transport, no matter how short or long it will travel. For starters, covering the smokestack of your tractor will prevent dirt, gravel, and other debris from getting inside. Whatever material you use to cover the smokestack, we recommend checking to make sure it is securely in place and will not fly off during transport. You’ll also want to double-check that the doors of the tractor are securely latched to prevent them from flying open en route.
A third safety measure you can take to prepare your tractor is to disconnect the battery. Especially on long hauls, making sure the battery is disconnected will help save its power life during the trip and make sure it starts up properly at the destination. Just make sure to notify whoever is receiving the machine that the battery needs reconnecting, so they don’t waste time investigating why it won’t start.
Covering the smokestack, securing the doors, and unplugging the battery are simple steps that you can take to keep your machine and the driver safe while on the road.
6. Oversized Load Restrictions
If you’re shipping a large-scale utility tractor, it might fit into the oversized load category. Each province and state can have different requirements for transporting an oversized load. An experienced driver will know how to find the right information and acquire the proper permits to ship your machine correctly according to the laws of the road. These preparations can include planning the best route to take to accommodate an oversized load. Some highways have maximum weight limits, and your driver will need to plan accordingly if the oversized load requires a pilot car and specialized signage.
Tractor Shipping Services in Canada and the United States
If you have a tractor that needs to be shipped, we can provide you with a free shipping quote in three easy steps. All you need to know is your pickup location, drop off location, and the measurements of your machine. If you’re not certain what the specifications are for your tractor you can use our handy Specs Tool to find the height, width, length, and weight of your make and model. And if you have questions, reach out to us directly—we answer every message and call.
