How to Ship a Skidder?
Without the right haulers and shipping equipment, transporting something as heavy and large would be nearly impossible to do. Not to mention, there are laws while on the road that anyone shipping heavy equipment must abide by.
You can expect that most of the heavy equipment and machinery used in the forestry industry will need to be delivered through open air services. Due to the size, weight and complexity of the skidder’s design, open air methods are typically the only form of transport possible. Trailers, flatbed ships and other similar pieces of equipment are used to deliver the oversized forestry machines.
The Process of Shipping a Skidder
Domestic and international shipping services both offer open air methods of transport. Ground transportation includes the use of a large trailer among other transport gear and technology while delivering the skidder overseas requires the use of a flatbed ship. Either way, the skidder is secured to the hauler in the same manner. Open air ground transportation methods may require additional protection in the form of a sign warning others of the oversize load ahead or security cars that follow the hauler the whole way.
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If you prefer to have more protection for your skidder as it is delivered by a transport company, ask the transporter if they offer container services. Depending on the size of containers they use, your skidder may fit inside of one, protecting it further from bad weather and outside hazards as it travels to its new home. This form of shipping may cost more but it assures the safety of your forestry equipment.
All transport companies are required to offer a minimum amount of insurance coverage to their customers. Ask your transporter what their insurance covers and how much it covers. The entire value of your skidder should be covered by insurance. If not, ask if you can purchase more insurance coverage or call your insurance agent to see if your own insurance on the air drill still stands when it’s out for delivery.
Frequently Asked Questions
The distance is essential because most transportation providers charge by the mile. Hence, more distance means the price will inevitably go up according to market fuel prices.
This implies that a long distance will cost more. However, because they make the truck consume more fuel, weather and traffic can also indirectly increase the cost. The truck uses more power and costs more when there is heavy traffic.
Of course, other matters also play a hand. One factor that doesn't cross customers' minds is the road conditions on the journey. It's natural that if the roads are bad and the truck has to expend more effort, the price will go up with the fuel.
A flatbed trailer is usually used to transport oversized or wide loads because they have no edges on either side and can easily accommodate cargo more oversized than its surface.
Since a skidder falls in the latter category, it's convenient to use a flatbed. A bigger model can easily weigh up to 50,000 pounds, while the limit for oversized loads is 46,000.
A ramp is propped up against the flatbed trailer to load the skidder, and it is aligned carefully so it doesn't capsize. Its sides are also secured to ensure no trouble during the journey.
At times, a lowboy trailer might be the better choice for a skidder that weighs 50,000 pounds because it's better for heavy machinery, especially since it's built closer to the ground.
The driver will need more time to get to you if the gap between the two points is vast. However, if the roads are clean, they might arrive sooner. But still, it's a very straightforward factor, and you should keep the distance in mind when you ask the company for a quote.
For factors like the weather, even small distances may take a while. This is because it's a variable that's hard to calculate even with a logistics team since you can't always predict it accurately.
The weather and traffic can both have an impact on the total amount of time. If there's a storm warning, the truck must stop until it passes or, at times, change the route.
In theory, it's entirely possible to drive a skidder to its new location by yourself. However, it's not recommended. The primary reason is that it's a piece of heavy-duty equipment built for high-fuel usage.
It's just not anything that can be driven over a long distance. It's best to choose a suitable transport company because they'll have the necessary equipment and means to effectively transport your skidder without causing unnecessary damage.
But remember not to choose a company recklessly and only look at the final prices. This is because negligence might cause a great loss since a skidder is so expensive. It's important to check on the experience, and how trusted the company is. Remember to consult an acquaintance.
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