When you need a new transport company, what skill sets do you look for? Your top concerns will probably be things such as price, reliability, insurance and compliance. These are certainly important issues, but if you are moving heavy equipment such as backhoes, tractors and forklifts, there will be more practical points to consider as well which you can't afford to overlook if you want your equipment to arrive safely and ready for work.

Preparation

Finding a company with the right type of experience is always important but, when it comes to moving heavy equipment, experience matters more than you might think. You aren't simply loading up and transporting packages around the country. You are transporting valuable, heavy, bulky equipment. If the equipment transfer is going to be a success, the experience of the transport company will be crucial. Their experience will come into play from the very beginning even before they arrive on site. You will need to discuss with the transport company the best way to move each item and whether they have the right equipment whether that is flatbeds, trailers or even towing brackets. Make sure you know the dimensions and weight of every piece of equipment so you can be sure the suggested method of transportation is suitable.  

Permits

Check that the company knows exactly what you want to move and where you want to move it. Loads that are overweight or oversized generally need permission to take to the roads, and a route which avoids low bridges or narrow streets will often need to be agreed upon in advance. Check that they will have all the required permits before the journey is scheduled to start.

Checking the equipment

The transport company you choose should know which parts of your equipment are most prone to damage while in transit. Ask them which doors will need to be secured with zip ties and which levers must be wrapped in bubble wrap to ensure they survive the journey safely. The transport company will also be able to advise you on what further preparation measures you will need to take. These measures might include emptying engine fluids or disconnecting batteries to ensure that the heavy equipment can be transported safely or protecting equipment that will be transported in the open air from the elements.

Planning for the pickup and drop-off

Loading and unloading heavy equipment is rarely simple. As a minimum, you will need the use of a large open area at each end of the journey where each load can be transferred to or from the transporting vehicle. In many cases, you will also need to discuss with the transport company whether cranes, ramps or loading docks will need to be on-hand to facilitate the transfer of equipment.

Transporting equipment is a complex operation, but with clear preparation and a good working relationship with the transport company, it can be easier than you might think.