What to Remember When Scheduling Heavy-Duty Machinery Transport

Heavy-duty machinery transport, including the moving of cranes, tow trucks, forklifts, and the like, is not the same as transporting a family vehicle or any other type of standard transport. If you've never arranged this type of transport for heavy-duty equipment before, you need to understand what's involved so you know to ask the right questions of the transport company and know what to expect. Consider a few factors to remember here.

1. Scheduling 

Low overpasses, bridges that cannot accommodate their weight, and safe but slow speeds can all affect the schedule of delivery for your heavy-duty equipment. Your transport company may not be able to take a direct route to the jobsite or your facility, and may even be legally required to maintain a certain speed when hauling heavy equipment. Always note this when scheduling work that will be waiting on your equipment as you might be delayed many hours longer than you expected.

2. Clearance needed

Most heavy-duty equipment transport companies will have ramps on the back of their trucks so your equipment can be easily loaded, but note the clearance needed so you ensure they have ramps that are low enough and long enough to accommodate. Farming equipment and other equipment with attachments that hang low to the ground may not be able to use shorter ramps, as this might cause the back end of the equipment to get too close to the ground. Always note the clearance needed or if your equipment is especially low when arranging transport so you know if special ramps will be needed.

3. Recovery

Note that there is a difference between towing and recovery services. Recovery services are needed if your heavy-duty equipment has slid off the road and has gotten stuck, or has been in an accident and cannot operate. A transport company that provides recovery services will usually have a crane with a heavy-duty chain to lift your equipment out of its location and then load it onto the back of their truck. Recovery may involve specialized brakes that keep the transport truck secure during lifting and loading, or a crane arm that swings in different directions to easily reach equipment that needs recovery. However, a transport company may not have this type of crane or truck needed to securely lift such heavy equipment and load it. A transport company without this specialized equipment may not be able to actually recover your equipment, so be sure you understand this difference when calling for recovery versus transport.