Cost to Ship a Tractor: How Much Does It Cost to Transport a Tractor? A Detailed Guide on Tractor Shipping

1. How Much Does It Cost To Ship A Tractor? Everything You Should Know
2. How Are Tractors Usually Shipped?
3. How Much Will It Cost To Ship A Tractor?
4. How Should I Prepare A Tractor For Shipping?
5. Relevant Statistics
6. General Facts
7. Need To Move A Tractor? Work With A-1 Auto Transport To Get The Help You Need

How Much Does It Cost To Ship A Tractor? Everything You Should Know

If you need to ship a tractor from one farm to another, you may be wondering what your best option is. If you’re sending your tractor more than a few miles, chances are that you’ll need to hire a heavy equipment shipping company to send it to its destination on a tractor-trailer.

But how much does it cost to transport a tractor? How will your tractor be shipped? How should you prepare your tractor for shipping on a truck? In this guide from A-1 Auto Transport, we’ll discuss everything that you need to know.

How Are Tractors Usually Shipped?

Tractors are usually shipped on a flatbed trailer by professional drivers. This is the best way to ship a tractor that’s traveling domestically, since it can often be driven on and off of a flatbed. Typically, tractors are shipped in one piece, though some larger tractors may have to be disassembled or require the removal of some attachments before shipping.

It is possible, in some cases, to ship smaller tractors in enclosed trailers. However, this is more expensive and it’s usually not necessary – tractors are not delicate and are meant to be exposed to the elements. It may make sense to ship a luxury car in a closed trailer, but this is not really necessary for heavy agricultural machinery like a tractor.

How Much Will It Cost To Ship A Tractor?

It usually costs between $2 and $3 per mile to ship a farm-grade tractor, but this can vary widely. There is no set price for a tractor shipment, because there are so many factors that can affect the total price you’ll pay. Among others, this includes LTL (Less Than Truckload) vs FTL (Full Truckload) shipping, oversized load requirements, the distance your tractor must be sent, the population density near the destination area, and more.

Let’s explore these factors in a bit more detail now.

• Weight and size of your tractor – The average farm tractor can weigh up to 20,000 pounds or more, and depending on the machine and its attachments, a tractor can vary wildly in dimensions (length, width, and height)
  
  As a rule, the larger the tractor is, the more it will cost to ship per mile, especially if it qualifies as an oversized load. Oversized loads require additional permits and may require pilot cars, which adds to the cost of shipping.
  
• LTL vs FTL shipping – Large farm tractors will need to be sent with FTL (Full Truckload) shipping, meaning your tractor will take up all of the available space on a truck flatbed, and you’ll pay for shipping accordingly.
  
  In contrast, smaller tractors can be sent with LTL (Less Than Truckload) shipping. In LTL shipping, you can share a flatbed with another shipment going to a nearby destination – For example, if your tractor is 12 feet long and the flatbed is 48 feet long, you’ll only take up about 25% of its capacity – and the truck can carry other shipments, too. This reduces shipping prices, though it does make the process a bit more lengthy and complex.
  
• Distance of shipment – You’ll be charged per mile for shipping your tractor, so a longer trip – say between states, from Maryland to Colorado – will cost more than a local shipment that’s within your state.
  
  However, the cost per mile actually tends to be lower if the distance traveled is higher. Though you’ll still pay more for a long-distance shipment – because it must travel many more miles – you’ll actually be paying less per mile that your tractor is being shipped.
  
• Population density near the destination – Tractors are often sent to rural areas that are far away from population centers. If this is the case, you may end up paying a bit more for your shipment.
  
  This is because the driver will have to “deadhead” after dropping off the tractor. “Deadheading” is a term used to refer to driving without carrying cargo. If there are no customers near your location that need to ship cargo, the driver may have a long distance to pick up their next cargo shipment. If you live more than 200+ miles from a major population center, expect to pay a slightly higher rate because of this.

How Should I Prepare A Tractor For Shipping?

Before you freight ship your tractor, you should document its condition, remove loose items from the cabin (if applicable), drain away any excess fuel, remove attachments, and ensure you know how it will be loaded onto the truck when it’s time to ship your tractor. Your shipping company will provide you with any additional instructions you may need.

• Document the condition of your tractor – Taking photos and video of your tractor will ensure that you can look out for any potential damage that may be caused during the shipment process, and gives you peace of mind.
• Remove loose items – If you have any personal items in the cabin or any items that may move around, remove them. Loose, unsecured items could shift and cause damage during the shipment process. Any valuable electronics or personal items should also be removed to reduce the risk of theft during the shipping process.
• Drain excess fuel – Some fuel may be needed to drive the tractor on and off the semi, but it’s a good idea to drain most of the fuel from your tractor. This reduces its loading weight, and also helps improve safety.
• Remove attachments – In some cases, it may be wise to remove tractor attachments from your tractor and ship them separately.
  
  This is particularly true of tractors that would otherwise count as an oversized load. In most cases, the cost of partially disassembling the tractor or removing attachments will be much lower than paying for the costs associated with oversized load designation.
  
• Develop a loading and unloading strategy – You’ll need to work with your shipping company to determine the best way to load your tractor. Most tractors can be driven onto a flatbed using ramps. The tractors are fastened in place securely using straps and chains. Some large tractors or tractors with oversized wheels and tires may need to be lifted onto the truck using a crane. Note that this may require additional specialized equipment, and incur additional costs. Professionals know the rules of loading and shipping heavy farm machinery. Once you leave items to their care, they will handle it.

Relevant Statistics

• On average, it costs $950 to transport a tractor within a 500-mile radius.
• Approximately 82% of tractor transportation companies offer insurance coverage for any damages during transit.
• The cost of transporting a tractor internationally can range from $2,500 to $6,000, depending on the distance and additional services required.
• Around 95% of tractor shipments are transported using flatbed trailers for efficient and safe transportation.
• The fuel consumption for transporting a tractor over 1,000 miles is typically around 25 gallons, with diesel fuel being the preferred choice for its efficiency.

General Facts

• The cost of transporting a tractor depends on various factors such as distance, weight, size, and the transportation method used.
• On average, the cost to transport a tractor locally can range from $100 to $500.
• For long-distance transportation, the cost can vary between $1 to $5 per mile.
• Additional expenses may include permits, fuel surcharges, tolls, and insurance.
• Hiring a professional tractor transportation service is recommended to ensure safe and efficient delivery while considering the specific requirements of your tractor.

Need To Move A Tractor? Work With A-1 Auto Transport To Get The Help You Need

At A-1 Auto Transport, we know how important your farm equipment is for your livelihood, and we understand that shipping an agricultural tractor can be a complex process. So we’re here to help. As a leading shipper for heavy equipment transportation, we can provide a reliable, and reasonably-priced tractor shipping to and from anywhere. We ship any make, model, or type of tractor including John Deere tracto and New Holland. We can also ship tractors in whole or in parts and together with implements like plow. Whether you are shipping tractor within the United States or North America, we can help.

Ready to get started? Contact us online, use our heavy equipment shipping calculator or give us a call at (888) 230-9116. to speak to one of our representatives right away, and get the tractor shipping services you need. No matter where you are in America, we’re here to help!