
Complete Guide to Heavy Equipment Shipping
With extensive industry experience, A-1 Auto Transport specializes in heavy equipment shipping throughout Louisiana and across the U.S. Our fleet includes a variety of trailer types, such as lowboy and step deck trailers, suited for transporting oversized machinery safely and efficiently. From Caterpillar and Komatsu to Hitachi and Jennings equipment, we’re equipped to handle all heavy loads, including excavators and agricultural machines moving to or from New Iberia, Baton Rouge, and beyond.
We precisely map each route, factoring in load size, state regulations, and traffic conditions to ensure secure and timely delivery. Our team is familiar with Louisiana’s key transport corridors and permitting requirements, which helps prevent delays and streamline the process for our clients.
Transparency is a key part of our service. Customers can access real-time shipping updates, request estimates, and connect with our support team through multiple channels. Whether you need a flatbed for hauling construction equipment to a job site or a specialized trailer for a cross-country delivery, we tailor each move to fit your operational needs.
As a leader in Louisiana heavy haulers, we combine logistics expertise with hands-on experience to simplify even the most complex equipment moves. From pickup to drop-off, our team handles the details so you can stay focused on your project.
Factors to Consider When Selecting a Louisiana Heavy Equipment Transport Company

The logistics of Louisiana’s shipping landscape are intimately familiar to our company. The state boasts two international airports, over thirty ports along the Mississippi River, and connected waterways, including Baton Rouge, Lake Charles, and the central transport hubs. These freight corridors ensure effective and efficient haul services, proving that we can tackle all kinds of transport situations to simplify shipping heavy equipment.
Location of the Shipment
With a fleet that includes specialized equipment like step deck trailers and gooseneck trailers, we can manage the transport needs for heavy equipment and oversized loads. Whether your freight necessitates trailers longer than the standard 53 feet or requires max weight calculations, our business offers flexible solutions tailored to your needs. Our fleet of vehicles is ready to transport any machine, regardless of brand or size.
Our load assistance services are designed to meet the requirements of any situation, whether remote or on-site. The choice between remote and on-site services ultimately depends on factors like the load's size and complexity, the assigned flatbeds' capacity, and the construction equipment involved. These could range from Allis-Chalmers, Caterpillar, Hitachi machines, or even a complex Jennings machine.
Expertise and Experience

When choosing a Louisiana heavy equipment shipping provider, it’s essential to consider more than just pricing. Customer reviews and industry reputation are strong indicators of service quality. At A-1 Auto Transport, we make it easy to start the process by offering free, no-obligation quotes. These quotes are tailored based on key shipment details, such as weight, dimensions, and trailer requirements like lowboy or step deck configurations, ensuring accuracy and transparency.
We serve a vast network across Louisiana, from Kenner and Metairie to more remote locations near the Gulf of Mexico. Our comprehensive insurance coverage meets or exceeds industry standards and is designed to protect high-value assets like Kobelco, Hitachi, Caterpillar, and Allis-Chalmers equipment during every leg of the haul.
Transporting heavy equipment, such as a Genie Gradall, an excavator, or industrial machinery, requires detailed planning. Width, height, and ground clearance influence trailer selection, ramp design, and overall logistics. We handle complex moves across urban areas like West Monroe, industrial hubs like Morgan City, and long-haul jobs from Shreveport to Alaska or even cross-border shipments into Canada.
A-1 Auto Transport is built to solve the real challenges of heavy equipment transport in Louisiana. From preparing specialized equipment to ensuring smooth delivery routes through varying terrain, we offer flexible options at competitive rates, delivering reliability at every mile.
Load Assistance
Our commitment to streamlined service includes providing 24/7 support and an easy-to-use online form for requesting quotes and shipment details. Whether you're coordinating a load from North Carolina, Connecticut, or California, our digital system ensures fast, accurate communication from the moment you inquire. Clients can submit precise specs like equipment width, height, or required ramp access to receive detailed estimates tailored to their heavy equipment or auto transport needs.
Every shipment is planned with logistical precision, especially when routing through areas with unique infrastructure requirements such as West Monroe, Marrero, or remote regions of Canada. We consider all operational factors, including ramp angles, maximum clearance, and weight distribution, to ensure safe, efficient loading and unloading.
We are fully certified with key regulatory bodies, including the New York State Department of Transportation and other authorities across jurisdictions from Houston to Vermont and Maine to Minnesota. These certifications not only validate our compliance, but they also reflect our commitment to maintaining high service standards across all transport segments. Clients working with certified haulers benefit from comprehensive route planning, proper permitting, and higher accountability. Whether you're moving a Genie Gradall or oversized machinery across states or borders, we provide the permits and professional oversight to get the job done right.
Customer Review

The quality of service, especially hauling services, provided by the Louisiana Heavy Equipment Transport Company is a paramount consideration when selecting shipping options. This holds true whether it's a small generator from Maine or a bulky piece of machinery from Houston. This level of quality extends to the broader regions, including deliveries to and from places like North Carolina and Connecticut. Ensuring the company has a reputable standing and experience managing such heavy equipment shipments is crucial.
Prior to shipping from Maine to California or even long hauls from Louisiana to Alaska, ensure the complete draining of all fuel and oil tanks. It's crucial for all tanks to be empty, especially for items like a generator or other substantial machinery. Understanding the exact distance and rates applicable is also vital to ensure smooth and efficient transportation.
Cost Estimate
Before you hand over your machinery, whether it's a car or a robust genie gradall, inspect for any loose or missing parts for transport. The drivers handling your equipment appreciate the security and peace of thorough preparation. This meticulous approach is necessary not only for short distances like from Morgan City to Shreveport but also for longer hauls.
Insurance Coverage

Before loading heavy loads on a trailer, it's wise to remove all batteries and belts from the machinery to prevent damage. Take this standard practice seriously regardless of where you are, it's beneficial whether you're shipping a standby generator from Alexandria to Bossier City or any other location.
Online Forms
Label and tag your machinery before shipping it properly. This step facilitates the identification of your equipment and provides you with the relevant documentation for delivery. Our dependable drivers, using different carriers, including industry-reputed ones like New Holland and John Deere, ensure the adequate performance of their responsibilities, traversing borders from Louisiana to Arkansas and beyond. They find this particularly helpful and efficient in maintaining our varied shipping options, including competitive rates across different distances.
Certification
After using the above steps, conduct a final inspection of your cargo; each detail of its content is essential for the transport industry's stringent warranty standards. Maintaining the good performance of our applications for different types of shipping equipment is vital. Each piece of equipment, from New Holland to John Deere, is checked to make sure everything is in order before commencing the shipping process. With our dedicated customers sprawled across the distance from bustling Lafayette to serene Bossier City, our commitment to detail remains unwavering.
To ensure the high-performance shipping of your heavy machinery and simplify the maintenance for our customers, opting for a fully licensed and insured hauling company like A-1 Auto Transport is crucial. Our services, including various shipping options and rates, cater to customers across different distances, from Shreveport to Morgan City and beyond. We're experienced in handling different carriers and multiple types of shipping equipment, including industry-leading brands like John Deere and New Holland. Our services ensure rights are upheld during the entire transportation process. With a footprint extending to Arkansas and beyond, we proudly serve many satisfied customers nationwide.
Quality Service

When booking an auto shipping service with us, care should be taken to utilize your preferred carriers and accommodate specific instructions regarding maintenance and performance. Determine the pickup and delivery locations, along with the estimated transit time. This allows for better logistics planning for your next shipment. Whether you have a truck or a crane, we consider every part of your equipment vital to our service, and our expert driver will ensure it reaches its destination.
By adhering to these steps, ensuring proper upkeep of your equipment, and consulting with professional hauling experts, you can be assured that your heavy equipment will be safely transported from one location to another. We honor the warranty of all the equipment we transport, and we understand the benefits that transporting natural gas can provide, given the proper safety measures. Our product ensures a smooth and efficient delivery process under any weather condition or pressure.
How to Prepare Your Heavy Construction Equipment for Shipping by Hauling Company

After using the above steps, conduct a final inspection of your cargo each detail, from the performance of the equipment to the content of the cargo, is essential for the transport industry to make sure everything is in order before shipping. Whether it is on a truck or a crane, each part of your equipment counts. Our dedicated driver will meticulously ensure it arrives safely at the intended destination.
Drain All Tanks
Securing your rights is crucial, so you should opt for a fully licensed and insured hauling company like A-1 Auto Transport to move your heavy equipment and honor its warranty. A professional hauling company will provide the best services to ensure your machinery is safely transported, handled under the right pressure conditions, and delivered on time.
Secure Loose Parts
When booking an auto shipping service with us, use our various carriers, including New Holland and John Deere, and adhere to their specific instructions regarding maintenance requirements. Be sure to determine the pickup and delivery locations, along with the estimated transit time, to enable better logistics planning for your next shipment and ensure everything runs seamlessly from departure to destination.
Remove Batteries and Belts
By adhering to these steps and with our steadfast commitment to protecting your rights and preserving the warranty of your machines, we offer reliable services at A-1 Auto Transport. We assure that your heavy equipment, whether it's a crane or a truck, will be routinely inspected for maintenance needs and transported safely from our water port terminal to another, with our professional driver taking the utmost care in cargo handling.
Tag Machinery

When booking an auto shipping service with us, determine the pickup and delivery locations and the estimated transit time to enable better logistics planning for your next shipment. The product we deliver, whether it's automobiles, heavy machinery, or natural gas, will always meet strict regulatory standards and benefit our customers.
Inspect the Cargo
By adhering to these steps and consulting with professional hauling experts, you can find assurance that your heavy equipment will be safely transported from one location to another. Whether you’re shipping to or from the Louisiana, Mississippi River, South Louisiana, Baton Rouge, New Orleans, general aviation airport, or anywhere in between, the team at A-1 Auto Transport is here to offer superior, reliable, and efficient shipping services at a competitive price. We specialize in oversized loads, heavy haulers, step decks, and more as we move your machinery or car throughout the busiest shipping corridor in the south. Our expert driver will be at the helm to ensure your machines arrive safely at their destination, no matter where that is.
Secure a Licensed Hauling Company
When booking an auto shipping service with us, determine the pickup and delivery locations and the estimated transit time to enable better logistics planning for your next shipment. The product we deliver, whether automobiles, heavy machinery, or natural gas, will always meet strict regulatory standards and benefit our customers.
Louisiana Heavy Equipment Pricing & Time To Ship Examples
Shipping To/From Louisiana | Cost | Distance | Estimated Time In Transit |
---|---|---|---|
Louisiana to Columbus | $1690 | 966 miles | 3 - 5 days |
Louisiana to Fort Worth | $672 | 384 miles | 3 - 5 days |
Louisiana to Boston | $2802 | 1601 miles | 5 - 7 days |
Louisiana to Indianapolis | $1487 | 850 miles | 3 - 5 days |
Wichita to Louisiana | $1176 | 672 miles | 3 - 5 days |
Henderson to Louisiana | $2719 | 1554 miles | 5 - 7 days |
Buffalo to Louisiana | $2264 | 1294 miles | 4 - 6 days |
North Las Vegas to Louisiana | $2747 | 1570 miles | 5 - 7 days |
Reach out for a free quote now.

Insurance For Hauling Heavy Equipment
At A-1 Auto Transport, your heavy equipment represents a significant investment and a vital part of your business operations. Transporting this kind of machinery, whether bulldozers, cranes, or excavators, requires logistical expertise and robust risk management. That’s why we provide comprehensive insurance coverage designed specifically for hauling heavy equipment in Louisiana, giving you the protection and peace of mind you need.
From route planning to loading, dismantling, and delivery, every step of the shipping process is backed by our team’s experience in navigating Louisiana’s infrastructure, weight regulations, and diverse terrain. We account for road conditions, seasonal weather changes, and route-specific height and width restrictions to reduce the risk of damage or delay. Our insurance coverage complements this planning by safeguarding your equipment in transit, including during loading and unloading.
We also offer specialized transport options like flatbeds, step decks, and trailers for oversized loads, each supported by the appropriate permits and regulatory compliance. Whether you’re operating in Baton Rouge, Shreveport, or remote parts of the state, our service is designed to meet your logistical and liability needs.
Our customer support team is available to explain what’s included in our heavy equipment hauling insurance. We’re here to ensure your cargo arrives safely, on schedule, and with full protection every mile of the journey.
Relevant Statistics
- The port of New Orleans handles more than 2,000 heavy equipment shipments annually.
- Over 90% of Louisiana's heavy equipment exports are transported by sea.
- Louisiana's heavy equipment shipping industry employs over 5,000 skilled workers.
- The average time it takes to ship heavy equipment from Louisiana to international destinations is less than 15 days.
- More than 75% of the heavy equipment shipped from Louisiana is destined for Central and South America.
General Facts
- Louisiana is a significant hub for heavy equipment shipping due to its strategic location along the Gulf of Mexico.
- The Port of New Orleans is one of the busiest ports in the United States for heavy equipment shipments.
- Heavy equipment shipping in Louisiana includes cranes, excavators, bulldozers, and industrial equipment.
- Specialized carriers often transport heavy equipment, ensuring they are securely loaded and adequately secured during transit.
- Louisiana's extensive network of highways and railroads facilitates the efficient transportation of heavy equipment across the state and beyond.
Types Of Equipment We Ship
We've been in this industry for many years and have had the opportunity to haul different types of equipment. That's how we've learned what plan we need and how to execute it based on the type of equipment we have to ship. When it comes to shipping heavy equipment in Louisiana, having a well-defined plan in place is crucial to ensure a smooth and efficient execution. The first step is to assess the specific type of equipment being transported, as different types may require different shipping methods. Next, it is essential to consider the weight, dimensions, and any special handling requirements of the heavy equipment to ensure a smooth and successful shipping process.
So far, we've shipped equipment such as:
- Forklifts
- Dump trucks
- Engines
- Hydraulic equipment
- Pile drivers
- Track loaders & graders
- Large trucks & heavy vehicles
And more!
Additionally, it will explore the various transportation options available, such as trucking and barge services, and highlight the importance of proper permits and documentation for a seamless shipping experience. Additionally, the article will explore the different types of heavy equipment commonly shipped in Louisiana, such as construction, agricultural, and oilfield machinery, and discuss the challenges and considerations involved in transporting these oversized and heavy loads. Transporting heavy equipment in Louisiana can be a complex endeavor due to factors such as narrow roads, bridges with weight limitations, and the need for special permits. Additionally, the state's unique geography, including swampy terrains and hurricane-prone areas, presents further challenges for heavy equipment shipping in the region. However, with experienced logistics providers and technological advancements, navigating these hurdles is becoming more manageable for businesses in Louisiana.
If you want a company that will ensure your assets are transported safely, contact A-1 Auto Transport for a free quote.

Frequently Asked Questions
Although it is impossible to provide a perfect response, asking your moving company for a price will offer you a close idea.
The size of your heavy equipment is one factor to take into account, though, when it comes to cost. A wide load is wider than 8.5 feet and weighs more than 46,000 pounds, which significantly increases the cost and complicates the process.
The first thing needed is labor to obtain the actual license. Then there are additional charges if you need an oversized load transported.
Other than that, the distance is undoubtedly a significant consideration, but fuel prices are also important. Based on the fuel price on the market at the time, the per-mile fee can vary significantly.
It's impossible to give consumers a specific time frame for transporting heavy equipment to Louisiana, just as it wasn't able to do so for the final cost. This is because numerous factors must be considered before a company determines the final cost, even though a quote based on prior deliveries will give you a good idea.
Distance is obviously the first factor to consider because it affects how long equipment arrives at pick-up and drop-off locations that are farther apart. But within this, the traffic and weather also play a role.
Inconvenient traffic will inevitably cause the truck to slow down, extending the delivery period. Every extreme is bad when it comes to the weather. Storms obviously cause delay, while heat makes the engine overheat more easily.
In addition, if your equipment qualifies as an oversized or wide load, the driver will need to use wide highways, which will prolong the delivery time if your destination is far away.
While there are some things the customer is accountable for, a reputable shipping firm will ensure that your heavy equipment is secured on the carrier before moving it.
Particularly if your delivery is going to another state, you must have the equipment cleaned by a professional. Removable batteries and other extraneous parts must all be removed. You should lock the wires and empty the fuel tank.
Your shipping company may be of assistance at this point, but you will have to pay extra. The equipment is then loaded into the carrier via a ramp. The loaders fasten it with chains or eyelet straps, giving close care to the main body.
If you've selected enclosed transport, most containers also have chain eyes to attach the ratchet straps. As long as you're careful when selecting the company, you won't have to worry about the equipment getting damaged.
Most reputable shipping companies focusing on transporting large pieces of equipment are covered by insurance to prevent potential losses.
Before booking your shipment, you must check insurance coverage with the shipping company to verify your equipment is protected. In this way, your equipment will be protected, giving you peace of mind in case something goes wrong during transportation.
You must be provided with a copy of the shipping company's insurance policy and any details regarding coverage limits, deductibles, and exclusions. Inquire with the shipping company if you have any insurance-related concerns.
Make sure your equipment is in excellent hands and that you are prepared with the essential precautions in case the unexpected occurs.