The transport of heavy equipment is a complicated exercise that requires close attention to the safety of the machinery and the people involved. Detailed planning and coordination are of paramount importance in order to reduce the probability of injury to people, damage, and loss. In the event that you are planning a move, you need to pay close attention to the following THREE points.
Point 1: Use the Correct Vehicle
You need to match up the correct vehicle for the job. We look at three of the most commonly used vehicles.
Lowbed Trailers
Lowbed trailers travel low to the ground and hence the name. This means that they can accommodate tall cargo without falling foul of traffic regulations and are perfectly suited for the transportation of heavy machinery such as excavators and graders. There are numerous variations to the lowbed. One variation is the fixed gooseneck trailer (see photo) and you can see where the trailer gets its name from. The gooseneck configuration helps to increase the deck length and therefore is suited for longer loads. Fixed-neck models are lightweight but they offer reduced convenience and flexibility when it comes to loading. If you’re looking for efficient and easy operation, then the hydraulic detachable gooseneck is worth looking at. Its versatility sets it apart from other variations.
Rollback Truck
Rollback tow trucks are also flatbeds in appearance, yet are fitted with a hydraulic system and winch that allows the bed to “roll back” and tilt at an angle to make it possible to drive or pull smaller machines onto the bed.
Crane Truck
This is a type of vehicle that is mounted with a hydraulically operated crane or boom. This machine has its own engine and is mounted on a rubber-wheeled chassis. It can operate like a crane and yet can be easily moved from one location to another even when carrying a load. The truck-mounted types are convenient as they can move over streets and highways; they also offer flexibility in cargo and load-handling in an efficient fashion. These trucks are perfect for the transportation of heavy equipment parts like booms, tipper arms, engines, tracks, and cylinders.
Point 2: Load Securing and Distribution
Now that you have the right vehicle, it’s time to design the best distribution for the load. Here, the most important thing is to ensure that the load is evenly distributed. Machines should be set dead center on the bed because an uneven load will increase the risk of the driver maintaining control of the vehicle. The machine must be securely locked down with chains so as to ensure that it does not shift in transit.
Point 3: Driver Training and Experience
Putting a novice behind the wheel when a big load is being transported could be a costly and dangerous mistake. You need to ensure your drivers have the requisite experience and training to secure the load, handle the equipment, and drive the vehicle. In addition to the initial training required for heavy load drivers, it is also smart to maintain an ongoing training schedule to ensure the skills are fresh.
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