Moving machinery safely and legally is a challenge that requires planning, knowledge, and the proper equipment. Heavy machinery transportation can be difficult but there are options and choices available to transport your machinery safely and effectively from point to point. Machinery Direct presents these machinery transportation tips to help inform and remind you of some of the best options you have for transporting your equipment.
Looking for machinery to haul across town to a new site? Contact Machinery Direct to learn about how we can help you get quality construction equipment by dialling 1300 794 684 or connecting with us online.
Machinery Transportation Prep
Planning and preparing the logistics behind your machinery transportation can help prevent accidents and will ensure the process runs efficiently from start to finish. Perform a thorough risk assessment of all equipment involved during the transport; this includes doing a full inspection of the truck or trailer doing the actual transporting. Examine all the following:
- Tires
- Lights
- Brakes
- Tie-Down Points
- Weight Limits
Ensure that all personnel involved are equipped with the protective equipment they need as well. Map out and check the route to make sure you can safely traverse it and avoid unwanted complications. Finally, check that the necessary team members have all the required permits and paperwork needed to haul the equipment.
Trailers
Flatbed trailers are a common way to ship equipment and Machinery Direct offers several reliable and high-quality products to assist in transporting your machinery. Versatile and built to endure, our 3500kg Excavator Bobcat trailer is equipped with:
- Drop down ramps
- LED Lighting
- Electric brakes
- 2x10mm safety chain
- 8mm mesh floor
- Tare 800kgs
- Atm 3500kgs
- Checker plate mudguards
- And more
With a payload of 2330kgs our three-way tipper is great for hauling heavy loads of all types; includes the following features:
- Fully welded 3mm flat plate floor
- 100mmx50mmx5mm square tube drawbar 1600mm long w/ 2×12 safety chains
- 4 wheel ten inch electric brakes
- 180cm wide x 300cm long
- Pull out machinery ramps
- Capable of being made completely flat
- Removable cage sides
- And more
Breakdown
When possible, disassemble your equipment for easier transportation. Taking apart your equipment can make securing and storing your machinery uncomplicated, especially if you have an oddly shaped piece of equipment. Breaking your equipment down this way makes it simpler to load onto a flatbed trailer and negates the need for a specialised towing vehicle or trailer.
Loading and Unloading
Assign each team member involved a specific duty to make sure everyone understands what they need to do and keep them from accidentally entering the loading area. Ensure that the ramp, trailer, and loading area are clean and free from debris. Then slowly and steadily move the equipment onto the deck; the bulk of the machinery’s weight should be toward the front of the trailer to prevent fishtailing. Secure the equipment following all state laws and guidelines.
Unloading follows similar guidelines, double check the site to make sure it is clear of debris and as clean as possible. Check that the equipment is still secured and in proper position then begin unbinding the load. Slowly take the equipment off the deck and keep focused on the team’s safety. Once the equipment is unloaded do a final check of the area and vehicles then finish by completing any necessary paperwork.
Laws and Regulations
You will need to be aware of all the laws and regulations involved in your state or territory with transporting your machinery. There are two types of regulatory categories, one for vehicles under 4.5t and another for vehicles over 4.5t. Ensure that you are up to date on all laws pertaining to weight limits, speed restrictions, transport escorts, and other relevant transportation restrictions.
Need Construction Equipment?
Machinery Direct offers reliable and affordable heavy machinery sales that are deliverable Australia wide. We have the perfect equipment trailer for you when you need to haul that next heavy load. For further enquiries, contact us on 1300 794 684 or get in touch with us online.