Heavy Equipment Transport Cost and Regulations

For people who own construction companies, agricultural equipment, or heavy machinery, transporting them from one place to another is an inescapable challenge. Transporting heavy equipment is a complicated process in all aspects. So, before anyone considers shipping heavy equipment , they must know the two essential factors: costs and regulations.

Here's the ultimate guide for heavy equipment transport costs and regulations.  

What is heavy equipment transport? 

Heavy equipment hauling differs from all kinds of vehicle transportation. It involves shipping cargo that exceeds the gross weight permitted by the FMCSA standards on special trucks, complying with different regulations.

Heavy equipment requires seasoned drivers, advanced hauling equipment, and sophisticated transporting strategies.  The most common trucks for heavy shipping equipment are standard flatbed trailers, step deck trailers, and lowboy trailers.

How much does it cost to transport heavy equipment?

There are many factors involved in calculating the heavy equipment transport cost. 

1. Dimension & weight

The oversized equipment occupies a massive space on the truck, consuming fuel and requiring much workforce. The more the weight and size, the more the cost. In addition, dealing with huge cargo involves employing extra materials and tools.

1. Distance

Oversized equipment is heavy cargo, and shipping it needs burning more fuel than what any cargo needs. And definitely, the further the end location is, the more fuel a vehicle consumes, and the more the cost adds up.

1. Divisible and non-divisible loads

Many heavy loads are divisible, meaning shipping companies can disassemble their different components into smaller, lighter parts. The heavy equipment that could undergo such a process is more likely to cost less than shipping one huge piece of equipment at a time.

1. Permit cost

Since heavy equipment is oversized, cargo requires special handling to comply with state rules and regulations. Shipping heavy equipment requires paying a permit fee. However, the fee isn't fixed; it varies depending on the state and the heavy equipment transported.  

How to reduce the high equipment shipping cost? 

Shipping heavy equipment is costly, but there are many affordable options to consider:

1. Reduce the equipment's size and weight

Because large and heavy cargo adds to the shipping cost, cutting the shipping fee is possible by reducing the heavy equipment's size. Disassembling the heavy equipment into smaller and manageable pieces will enable trailer drivers to complete the heavy equipment shipping in several loads instead of one. Consequently, a client can save on the permits and the shipment fee simultaneously.

1. Go for a flatbed truck

Flatbeds are open trailers and one of the most common and affordable methods to transport heavy equipment. They're a flexible and cost-effective alternative to trailers; their dimensions are large, and they fit different types of heavy equipment, including excavators and bulldozers.

However, even with that in mind, not all flatbed trucks are strong enough to carry heavy equipment from various weights and sizes. So, a client must confirm with the shipping company if their heavy equipment fits safely on a flatbed. 

1. Consider towing

Sometimes, moving heavy equipment for a short distance doesn't require using a trailer or a truck. An owner can rent a tow and employ a professional driver to do the job at short notice. It's a fast and affordable transportation method. However, it only works in specific situations.  

1. Hire a trustworthy shipping company

Companies handling heavy equipment transport are many in the market. However, not all of them are worthy of clients' trust. Some shipping companies offer unrealistic and over-priced quotes for completing transportation processes.

So, clients must do extensive research and compare quotes before settling for any. Super Auto Transport has successfully handled the transportation of the heaviest and largest equipment for reasonable fees around the state. 

Heavy equipment transport regulations 

Shipping heavy equipment requires strict regulations, as transporting such dangerous items poses serious risks to the road, passengers, transported equipment, and vehicle. 

So, the Department of Transportation (DOT) has issued many guidelines to guarantee everyone's safety. These guidelines touch upon the load limit and load securement. 

• Load limit

A load that exceeds 8.5 feet wide is considered oversized cargo and requires special permits. The FMCSA rules obligate shipping companies to obtain a permit for this kind of load, defining the weight and size of the shipped equipment.

In addition, a load that exceeds 16 feet in width is, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration FMCSA, a super load, which requires special permits different from the ones obligated for oversized cargo. It may involve the interference of police or special attendees.

• Load securement 

Keeping the load intact and secured on the trailer's back is a must to maintain everyone's safety. So, the FMCSA requires drivers to use proper tie-downs and ensure that the transporting trailer is adequate to the equipment hauled concerning the capacity and endurance. 

Conclusion 

Knowing the factors contributing to the heavy equipment shipping cost and the regulations makes it easy for clients to understand the process and pick the right company to trust. 

Transporting heavy equipment is a complex process, and it requires engaging a professional shipping company and experienced drivers; Super Auto Transport is a safe company to trust.