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How to Prepare Your Heavy Equipment for Transport

Published by Joe Webster.

How to Prepare Your Heavy Equipment for Transport

Preparing Your Heavy Equipment for Transport

With any form of heavy load or machinery transport services purchased, it’s always important to prepare for the process. Not only must you provide the proper documentation, but you must prepare the cargo for loading. Depending on the details of your heavy vehicles, their shape, and dimensions, the preparation process differs. The objective, however, is the same. When you prepare to transport heavy equipment, it will not only keep your equipment safer, but those caring for its shipping process protected also. The transport company holds most of the responsibility but preparing according to their standards is the one thing they expect from their customers.

Failing to prepare your heavy equipment for its transport increases the risks involved. An accident may happen to the trailer conveying it, resulting in injury or damages to the cargo and the equipment used to haul it. Regardless, these are scenarios we would all like to avoid. Not to mention, if your heavy weight equipment was ill prepared for its transport, it is likely that the transport company’s insurance company will deny your claim in the case of accidents. Although the transport company will carry out some inspection and risk assessment on the vehicle and its path to the shipping destination, you still have the responsibility to ensure that all is well at your own end of things.

.Heavy Equipment Pricing & Time To Ship Examples

Shipping To/FroMCostDistanceEstimated Time In Transit
Rio Rancho to Quincy$39252243 miles6 - 8 days
Downey to High Point$42942454 miles6 - 8 days
Shreveport to Sioux Falls$1586904 miles3 - 5 days
Huntington Beach to Port St. Lucie$46022630 miles6 - 8 days
Little Rock to Yonkers$21891251 miles4 - 6 days
Boise to Hialeah$48442825 miles6 - 8 days
Birmingham to Chesapeake$1246712 miles3 - 5 days
Fort Wayne to Durham$1575900 miles3 - 5 days
A-1 Auto Transport Ships Worldwide.
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Tips for Preparing Your Heavy Equipment for Transport

Here are some important tasks and procedures to follow when preparing your heavy equipment

  • If the heavy equipment is to be packaged for its transportation, refer to the owner’s manual for proper packaging techniques and materials. If you don’t own the manual, contact the manufacturer or check their website.
  • Disconnect any batteries, alarm systems, or any other thing that can cause hazards
  • Empty any fluids
  • Ensure the security and adequate protection of all loose parts; front, right, left, and center
  • Remove dirt and debris from the vehicle
  • Make lots of room for the equipment transport company to come retrieve the heavy equipment - in addition, ensure there are enough access roads to get to the outfit sites
  • Have all the required permits ready or make sure the transporter has them ready in time, to avoid fines and restrictions on the road
  • Cover any parts of the equipment that you do NOT want exposed to outside elements and weather if it is being shipped by means of open air ground transportation
  • If you plan to transport your heavy equipment with the RO/RO method, it may need to be operational - the tire pressure needs to be intact
  • Disclose any concerns about your equipment to the vehicle components transport company during inspections so that potential obstacles can be sorted ahead of the shipping date
Prepare Your Heavy Equipment For Transport - inspection of overpasses and tie downs - steps and measures for ramp traction - Shipping construction vehicle components - creating corners, bumps, and roadways

Lessen the risks involved in heavy equipment transport by fulfilling the requirements above. Some transport companies may have other stipulations too. Pay close attention to the details and get the job done right. When everything and everyone is prepared properly, you will notice how much smoother the shipping process goes. It relieves both you and the driver of stress and unnecessary risks.

Relevant Statistics

  • Approximately 95% of damage to heavy equipment during transport can be prevented through proper preparation.
  • Adhering to a comprehensive checklist can reduce the risk of delays during transport by 80%.
  • Using specialized tie-down methods, such as employing at least four chains per machine, decreases the likelihood of equipment shifting by 75%.
  • Implementing regular equipment inspections can result in a 90% decrease in maintenance issues during transportation.
  • Preparing detailed documentation and securing all necessary permits increases the efficiency of transporting heavy equipment by up to 60%.

General Facts

  • Inspect the equipment thoroughly for any damage or mechanical issues before transport.
  • Secure all loose parts and accessories to avoid damage during transit.
  • Drain any fluids from the equipment that may pose a risk during transportation.
  • Make sure to obtain the necessary permits and documentation for transporting heavy equipment.
  • Use proper loading and securing techniques, such as using ramps or cranes and utilizing straps or chains, to ensure safe transportation.

Hire A1 Auto Transport

A1 Auto Transport is an industry leader when it comes to safe heavy equipment transportation processes. We operate in compliance with best practices, safety measures, regulations, and guidelines of the Department of Transportation (DOT). Our drivers are well trained and they have experience shipping all kinds of heavy loads. We have expertise in road movement and ocean freight shipping. We can ship equipment components and accessories in whole or in parts and pieces from chains, tires, straps, gears, brakes, lights, booms, cradles, wedges, knobs, buckets, chocks, tie-down points, attachment points, working tools, and other equipment attachments in a secure truck or transportation vehicle. We can ship within a state and across multiple states within the country. We'll take care of everything from the loading, transportation, and unloading process at the destination place. We have shipping equipment like lowboy, step deck, and flatbed trailers and trucks. We also have experienced crew, personnel, and escort vehicles.

Types and placement of devices and construction equipment on transportation route and overpasses - Avoid cargo securement violations - transportation process for dozer

Contact us today for your free quote and let's help get your heavy equipment transportation process done stress-free!

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Joe Webster always knew the auto transport industry would be a great career option. And with decades of experience, Joe is now an established consultant for A1 Auto Transport.

Joe was born in Santa Cruz, California. During high school, Joe worked as a mechanic; a job continued to work part-time during his bachelor's degree.

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A1 Auto Transport... From the get go, they were very different from my past options. Their website was very professional and up to date, full of useful information. I requested a quote using their online form, and I got an email response within an hour. Surprisingly fast!
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I can safely say this is a legit company that will get the job done.
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There are a lot of options for auto transport these days, which surprisingly makes it harder to find a good company. I received more than 10 offers to ship my car, but I couldn’t decide on any of them... Fortunately, I made the right choice with A1 Auto Transport.
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We give A1 Auto Transport a big 10 out of 10! We chose them to move our car from California to Vermont, since we needed professionals.

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A-1 Auto Transport is a disclosed agent for the following shipping companies:

CSI Logistics
435 Division Street
Elizabeth, NJ 07201
FMC 22206
Intl Cargo
45 Campus Drive
Edison, NJ 08837
NO. 17858N
Trans Global Auto Logistics, Inc.
3401 E Randol Mill Rd,
Arlington, TX 76011
NO. 018191NF
CFR Rinkens
15501 Texaco Avenue
Paramount, CA 90723
NO. 013055NF
ABC Worldwide LLC
2840 NW 2nd Ave #105
Boca Raton, FL 33431
NO. 025472F
ShipYourCarNow LLC
1160 South Rogers Circle Suite 1
Boca Raton, FL 33487
NO. 025646
Merco Air & Ocean Cargo, Inc.
6 Fir Way
Cooper City, FL 33026
NO. 021869F
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