Cold Planer Shipping Made Easy: Tips and Best Practices
Cold planers (or milling machines) are used for milling of roadways, where the machine grinds away the surface. The reasons for doing this vary, ranging from recycling roadway material before repaving to removing problems like rutting, bleeding, raveling, shoving, or uneven sections (1).
Introduction to Cold Planer Transportation
Transporting a cold planer, a large machine used in roadwork, involves moving it via specialized trailers or flatbeds. These machines are designed to remove layers of asphalt or concrete, preparing surfaces for repaving. The transit process requires careful planning and expertise to ensure a smooth and secure delivery. Proper tools and skills are essential for safely loading and unloading these roadwork machines.
The Proper Machinery Is Necessary
Slow-moving and heavy, a cold planer isn’t built for long-distance travel. If you need to relocate it to a far-off job site, you must plan ahead and ensure the right trailer is available. If your trailer lacks appropriate ramps or the capacity to support the planer's weight, alternative loading solutions will be required.
This machine represents a significant investment, and purchasing additional tools may not be feasible. If you already own the necessary trailer, the prospect of driving it long distances yourself may not be appealing. Safe, professional transportation may be the best solution.
A Cost-Effective Solution
When factoring in fuel, wear on your transit tools, meals, and accommodations, hiring a professional service is often more economical. This option ensures that an experienced team manages the hard work and risks. A1 Auto Transport can handle vehicles and large machinery of all types, including oversized roadwork equipment.
A Capable Team
It is challenging to secure correctly due to its enormous weight, so we have the tools and savvy required for stress-free cold planer shipping. All shipments to us are completely insured, so you're fully covered should any issues occur. We'll also bend over backward to meet our delivery schedule so you're not left waiting for your oversized equipment at the new job site.
Full-Service Options
With satellite tracking, express service offered, and custom transit solutions - we have everything you need for a smooth experience. We also can move your equipment across the country and even globally. Last but not least, we always create a custom rate that's based on your unique moving job.
Call to speak with one of our logistics specialists, and receive a free, no-obligation quote for your equipment today.
SOURCES: Pavement milling
Types of Road Milling Machines
Here are the types of machines commonly used for removing and resurfacing roadways:
Drum-style Milling Machines: These use a rotating drum with cutting teeth to grind and remove road surfaces. They are versatile and suitable for various applications, such as highway construction and maintenance.
Crawler-mounted Milling Machines: Equipped with tracks, these machines provide enhanced mobility and stability on challenging terrains, making them ideal for large-scale road projects.
Wheel-mounted Milling Machines: Designed for better maneuverability, these are suitable for smaller projects or urban areas with limited space.
Skid Steer Attachments: These compact machines attach to skid steer loaders and are great for milling tasks in confined spaces or areas with restricted access.
Attachment-mounted Machines: These devices can be fitted to excavators or backhoe loaders, offering flexibility for different job sites and requirements.
Each type has specific advantages based on factors like project size, terrain, and accessibility.
Considerations for Hauling a Road Milling Machine
Transporting these machines involves careful planning, from selecting the appropriate trailer to ensuring all documentation is in order. Companies must balance quality service, budget, and customer satisfaction while navigating transportation complexities across North America. In a competitive industry, successful operations depend on experienced drivers, efficient deliveries, and excellent service.
From Alaska to California, clients expect reliable and careful machinery handling. Understanding unique shipment needs, such as attachments and serial numbers, is key to maintaining a strong reputation.
Understanding Your Carrier Needs
Assessing your specific requirements is essential when preparing for transport. Identify the model and attachments to be moved, considering size, weight, and the number of pieces involved. This will help determine the right trailer and services.
Researching Haulers
Research companies that specialize in moving heavy machinery. Look for reputable services with experience handling road milling machines. Contact multiple providers for quotes and insights to compare pricing, service quality, and customer satisfaction.
Choosing the Right Trailer
Selecting the appropriate trailer is crucial for safe transportation. Options include flatbed, RGN (Removable Gooseneck), or specialized heavy-duty trailers—factor in your budget, equipment size, and destination to choose the best option.
Ensuring Documentation is Complete
Ensure all paperwork, including invoices and contracts, is in order. Verify that the transport provider has the necessary permits to move heavy machinery across borders or state lines.
Securing the Machine for Transit
Safety during transit is essential. Secure attachments and components to prevent damage. Communicate any specific handling instructions to the transport provider.
Tracking and Communication
Communicate openly with the transport company throughout the process. Request updates and confirm schedules. Many carriers offer tracking tools, allowing you to monitor the shipment's progress.
Choosing the Best Carrier Method
Selecting the right transport method is crucial for smooth and cost-efficient delivery. Here are a few considerations:
Understanding Your Options: Explore different methods, such as freight trucking or cargo shipping. Air freight may be an option for urgent deliveries.
Cost Comparison: Compare prices from various providers, taking distance, load size, and additional services into account.
Safe Transit: Ensure the chosen method can handle the weight and size of your machine, with proper packaging and securing measures in place.
Customs Clearance: If shipping internationally, be prepared to navigate customs processes with the help of experienced freight companies.
Coordinating Delivery: Coordinate logistics with the transport provider and ensure the receiving party is prepared with the necessary unloading equipment.
Customer Satisfaction: Prioritize a service that aligns with your business goals and guarantees customer satisfaction.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average cost to ship a cold planer?
The average cost to transport cattle equipment changes depending on what you want the company to transport. Just like the delivery time, the distance between the pickup and drop-off has the most significant effect on the final cost.
It's just that the effect is indirect. If the distance is harder to cover, the truck will use up more fuel, and the cost will also increase. Easy roads significantly affect the price and can lower it significantly.
Driving through traffic-heavy areas also means the driver has to use more fuel, elevating the cost. Hence, fuel also plays a large role in the overall cost. It's the second most significant factor.
What is the best option to ship a cold planer?
The best option for an oversized load like a cold planer is open air transport method. A lowboy trailer compared to the more commonly used flatbed trailer.
Although it's not a superload, cold planers are well above the 46,000-pound weight limit. An average cold planer weighs between 60,000 to 90,000 pounds and is oversized.
A standard two-axle lowboy trailer can take up to 40,000 pounds, while a four-axle version can hold weights up to 80,000 pounds, making it the most suitable choice for something as heavy and big as a cold planer.
It also lowers the centre, making it easier for the driver to navigate the truck. This means he can deal with sharp turns and narrow roads without the danger of the cold planer toppling to a side.
How many days may it take to ship a cold planer?
Since it's an oversized load, it complicates the process for the company and can take a while. Usually, people suggest informing your company about your delivery at least three months in advance, especially for a heavy load.
This is because it must figure out the logistics and obtain permits, which is a long process. Although the Department of Transport website has links to the separate state sites, there's no one license. A company has to apply for a different one for each state and city the load passes.
This means that there's also an extra wait time for each state border and added inspections, which can take a while. Even if your delivery is within the state, there will still be regulations.
Why should I ship a cold planer?
It would help if you didn't try to transport a cold planer on your own.
The main reason is that because it's an oversized load, the company will have to work out the logistics, which includes things like the route, weather, and traffic density. Sometimes, oversized loads must have escort vehicles. The company must also obtain the permits for each city and state the truck has to cross.
The earlier you hire a company, the more efficient the delivery is because they can perfectly work you into the schedule. It's a process that requires professional help because even if someone knows how to operate a cold planer, it doesn't mean they can transport it.
This is especially true because the transport process also includes loading and unloading.
Why Do I Need to Hire a Transport Company Ahead of Time for a Cold Planer?
You may not realize the importance of informing your transport company about your delivery well ahead. You should hire a company and place your order three months beforehand.
The main reason is that since it's an oversize load, the company has to work out the logistics, like the route, weather, and traffic. At times, oversize loads require escort vehicles. The company must also sort out the permits for every city and state the truck crosses.
The earlier you hire a company, the more efficient the delivery is because they can perfectly work you into the schedule.
Why is a Lowboy Trailer Used to Transport Cold Planers Over Long Distances?
While flatbed trailers are usually the most popular option for transporting pieces of equipment, lowboy trailers are designed to take heavier loads, so they're perfect for cold planers.
Although not a superload, cold planers are well above the 46000-pound weight limit. An average planer weighs around 60,000 to 90,000 pounds and is an oversized load.
A standard two-axle lowboy can take around 40,000 pounds, while a four-axle variant can hold up to 80,000 pounds, making it the best choice for something as heavy as a cold planer. It also lowers the center, making it easier for the driver to navigate the truck.
Have My Cold Planer Transported Overseas?
While a cold planer can't fit inside a container, a company can transport it easily using either roll-on roll-off shipping or lift-on lift-off shipping, depending on which variant you own. The first method is standard for vehicles with wheels.
It's cheap since the loaders can roll the planer onto the carrier and buckle it on, so it doesn't budge during the journey. It's the most commonly-used method for equipment that is too large to fit in containers.
On the other hand, LoLo shipping is for equipment that doesn't have wheels. A crane is used to pick up the cold planer and place it onto the carrier, and the loaders secure it using chains. It's more expensive than RoRo shipping because it considers the cost of using the crane, but it's still suitable for vehicles that can't be wheeled onto the carrier.
Can I Transport My Cold Planer in a Container?
If you want to transport your cold planer overseas or on land, you won't be able to use a container. The reason is that cold planers are very big, oversized, and have wide loads. While it's possible to overcome the weight factor, the other dimensions don't allow a planer to fit in 20 feet or 40 feet container.
A container is around 13.5 feet high, while a cold planer is approximately 16 feet high. At 55 feet, they're also too long to fit in a container. Since they're heavy equipment, it's unnecessary to use enclosed transport, whether shipped overseas or across the USA.
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