How to Ship a Skid Steer Loader?
It is very common to see skid steer loaders being shipped by a transport company. Their heavy weight and inability to travel quickly make transporting skid steers through a professional shipping service the best option. A transport company will ensure the equipment's safety and quick delivery.
The Best Ways to Ship a Skid Steer Loader
Unlike most other pieces of construction equipment and machinery, several skid steers ship on flatbed trailers. Its smaller size makes it easy for a transporter to fulfill enclosed shipping requests. Larger types of construction equipment are normally shipped using open-air methods of transport.
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Although open air transport methods are deemed more affordable and perfectly safe to use, if you prefer more protection for your skid steer loader during its delivery process, enclosed transport methods are best. This may include shipping the skid steer loader among other pieces of equipment in a large shipping container. This container is often hauled by freight truck or ship depending on where it is to travel to reach its destination.
If you decide to ship through an enclosed method, you are expected to prepare the piece of machinery accordingly to assure its safety as well as the safety of those handling it. Preparing it normally includes cleaning it from all dirt and grime, draining its fluids, removing attachments and loose objects, and disconnecting its battery. If this process is done according to the transport company’s requirements, the transport should go along smoother and with less risks involved.
Frequently Asked Questions
Many factors affect the final cost, each playing a different role, whether directly or indirectly. Of course, the important one is the distance between the two points.
There are also factors like the type of roads the driver has to drive over because they affect the truck's fuel consumption and impact the final cost.
Fuel prices change from time to time and considerably affect heavy haul transport prices, especially if the route passes through a congested area, which automatically means the truck uses more fuel. It also can't be predicted because the country's economic situation has a major effect on the results.
But in either case, the best option to transport a skid steer loader is to use a flatbed trailer that's long enough to accommodate comfortably. This is because the loader isn't too heavy or too light. It's fine as long as it doesn't go over 46,000 pounds.
Smaller ones are around 25 feet long, while larger ones are closer to 50 feet in length; which option the company chooses depends on how you're transporting the skid steer loader.
Since a loader is often transported with its attachments, the company can also choose to get a large flatbed trailer to make the process easier.
A prominent factor is the possibility of traffic congestion for local or national holidays.
It's hard to give a solid estimate for skid steer shipping because there are too many things the company must keep in mind when planning for delivery. This also includes when you're having your skid steer loader delivered because, as mentioned, holidays significantly affect traffic.
It's the major reason planning and logistics are so important for a transport company. It controls how smoothly the delivery will go and greatly affects the final time. While other aspects come into play, this needs the company's consideration.
Things like the weather and the distance are also naturally important, especially since the former is a variable that the company can't predict.
Trying to transport your skid steer loader may seem like a bright idea, but it is much better and safer to hire a reliable shipping company to do the job. Too many technicalities must be dealt with in the shipping process, and a shipping company can hire professionals to deal with them.
If you handle your skid steer hauling by yourself, it might be more expensive than you think. You will have to rent a trailer and drive with it, but if you lack experience, it is more complicated than you'd expect to go with an extended trailer with cargo.
Instead, if you hire a good company, you won't have to worry about anything. All you have to do is submit some simple documents, and you can relax.
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