How to Transport an Excavator: Step-by-Step Guide for Safe Hauling

Moving an excavator could be challenging, especially when you want to transport it over long distances safely. Given its weight, size, and odd shape, you can’t just dump it onto a trailer truck and expect it to be delivered smoothly.

However, it’s not an impossible feat, as long as you follow the basic rules. So, if you want to know how to haul from one job site to the other, read on.

Common Mistakes in Excavator Transport

Transporting an excavator involves more than just loading it onto a trailer. Common errors like improper weight distribution or inadequate tie-downs can lead to equipment damage or accidents. For instance, overloading a trailer or failing to secure the excavator properly can cause it to shift during transit, posing risks to the machinery and road safety. Ensuring the excavator is evenly balanced and using the correct securing equipment are crucial steps in transport.

7 Steps To Properly Transport An Excavator

Choose A Properly-Sized Vehicle For Towing

Excavators come in various sizes, from mini/compact to midi and standard whole sizes. Therefore, it is essential to choose an appropriately sized vehicle to move safely.

According to Archbold, trailers are the most popular choice for hauling because they’re efficient and adequate in size to hold trailers and their attachments properly.

Compact or mini excavators may need a trailer capable of supporting at least 10,000 lbs, while full-sized ones might need at least 20,000 - 30,000 lbs or more. You must ensure that the hauling truck can support the weight.

Do A Risk Assessment

The recommended loading procedures require a documented risk assessment to identify the risks and hazards associated with the machine’s operation.

Before doing a risk assessment, read the operation and maintenance manual to ensure no critical safety procedures are missed.

Check all parts, from its chains and tires to its other attachments. We recommend checking the undercarriage and ensuring it’s free of mud, dirt, and sand.

Also, it’s essential to check if the ramp is durable and reliable enough to hold the weight and size of the heavy equipment.

Determine the Dimensions

The dimensions (width, length, and height) must be determined using the owner’s manual.

Always be careful not to exceed the maximum GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating), especially when hauling to other states or municipalities. The state and local municipality laws and federal regulations on GVWR always vary.

Inspect The Trailer Truck

Ensure all signal lights are working; if any lights are faulty, quickly replace them before driving. Inspecting the clearance, dock plate, and trailer deck is essential to prevent unwanted problems.

Most importantly, the trailer must be adequately supported and the wheels blocked before loading the heavy cargo or excavator [1].

Make Sure The Trailer Is On Flat Ground

Always ensure it is on flat ground before loading onto it so the heavy equipment can be positioned evenly.

It is recommended that the ground be firm enough to bear the combined weight of the excavator. Sometimes, the ground becomes soft after heavy rain or during rainy seasons, so you need to be extra careful.

Check For Any Obstacles

Before transit, you must check all the possible obstacles hindering safe hauling.

It’s best to consider the route's traffic and weather conditions, as they may require you to secure the machine tightly to prevent movement.

Secure It

After securing it, ensure the equipment is securely placed onto the truck. All parts, like the boom arm bucket and blade, must be lowered to the trailer’s floor.

The recommended loading procedures require double-checking if all attachments, such as articulation points, hydraulic hoses, tie-down points, or buckets, are adequately secured.

5 Types of Vehicles & How To Haul Them

Vacuum

Vacuum excavators, or suction excavators, have suction pipes that utilize air. They can provide up to 400 hp suction capabilities and cause less damage to the surrounding soil than other excavators.

This loosens the ground using a water jet, and then the pipe, fitted with sharp teeth, further breaks up the debris and safely removes it.

When hauling, the suction pipes should be tucked securely above it. Ensure that all parts are correctly strapped.

Crawler

Crawlers utilize tracks because the weight of the steel tracks can successfully counterbalance the weight of their heavy material load.

It can easily scale hills and uneven terrain. Its extra weight on the track makes it more stable when lifting and moving debris above the machine’s center of gravity.

It features a boom with a bucket, which tends to occupy the entire length of the trailer truck, even when folded. Hence, its dimensions need a unique platform.

Skid Steer

Skid steers look pretty different from other types because their boom and bucket face away from the machine’s cab.

They are relatively compact and pretty easy to ship. They usually fit on a flatbed, but the top deck of a step deck is a great spot, too.

Long Reach

Long-reach excavators have a more extended boom and arm than traditional excavators, so they are best suited for narrow areas and hard-to-reach locations.

It is commonly used in industrial demolition projects requiring more control because you can navigate it with extreme precision, so using unsafe explosives is unnecessary.

A “low-boy” or a standard flatbed would be suitable for delivering it safely. However, due to its length and equipment attachments, you may need to use two trailers to haul this equipment.

5. Dragline

Draglines are large excavators usually used in civil engineering that utilize an alternative process to lift and move debris. They use a rope system that raises and lowers the bucket while the dragline safely pulls it back towards the cab.

You can use flatbeds to haul after dismantling them.

Securing the Excavator: Best Practices

Properly securing your excavator is vital to prevent movement during transport. Use heavy-duty chains or straps rated for the machine's weight, attaching them to designated tie-down points. It's recommended that each excavator corner be secured and the boom or other moving parts be restrained. This practice complies with safety regulations and minimizes the risk of damage during transit.

Planning for Permits and Route Restrictions

Before transporting an excavator, it's essential to check for any required permits, especially if the load is oversized. Regulations vary by region; failing to obtain the necessary permits can result in fines or delays. Additionally, plan your route to avoid roads with weight restrictions, low bridges, or other obstacles that impede transport. Consulting with local authorities or a professional transport service can help ensure compliance and a smooth journey.

Final Thoughts

To transport it, you need to choose the right vehicle to tow it. You need to carry out a risk assessment to ensure a safe process. Remember to always load at a safe distance.

Determining its dimensions, inspecting and securing the truck, checking for obstacles, and consistent hauling techniques are also salient points that need to be considered.

Thus, if you want to save time and money, follow these essential steps in hauling to ensure a more effortless and safer journey.