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Best Practices When Moving Heavy Equipment

When it comes to transporting heavy equipment, you need to be ultra-cautious to ensure that the equipment reaches the destination safely. To do this you need to observe a set of best practices.

Best practices before loading the equipment

You need to ensure that you don’t exceed the transport vehicle’s gross weight rating and/or gross combination weight.

If the equipment is too large, determine whether you need permits for oversized or overwidth movements. These loads may additionally necessitate warning flags, lights, and oversized or wide load banners.

Are there any loading requirements for the equipment, such as the usage of locking pins, brakes, specific transmission gear, outriggers, or deck wideners? You should find them.

As a rule of thumb determine where you will place the equipment on the transport vehicle to ensure proper weight distribution and securement.

Heavy equipment movers also recommend that you check the equipment’s securement points for wear and damage. If they are damaged, don’t use them.

If there will be friction between the equipment and the transport vehicle (for example, metal crawler tracks on a metal deck), consider if you need friction devices.

If the item you need to move has rubber tires, check the pressure. Low pressure may cause the tiedowns to loosen.

Remember to remove any excess aggregate, dirt, debris, or other materials that could fall or reduce friction during transport.

Best practices when loading the equipment

You shouldn’t operate or load equipment that you are unfamiliar with or cannot operate safely. When possible, put the equipment against a vehicle structure to help prevent forward movement, unless weight distribution or securement considerations prevent this.

To avoid damaging brake or hydraulic lines or cylinders, attach securement devices with caution.

Remember to use edge protection to safeguard the tiedowns and equipment.

Whenever possible, use the equipment manufacturer’s designated connection points and adhere to the manufacturer’s securement guidelines.

Attach each tiedown as close to the vehicle’s front and rear as practicable. You can also attach it to mounting points on the vehicle specifically built for that purpose.

Do not use any attachment point with doubtful strength or compatibility.
Chain is the main tiedown method for large equipment and machinery. Ensure that no links are strained or have nicks.

Use direct tiedowns whenever possible, but keep in mind that you require more tiedowns than indirect tiedowns.

To keep wheeled vehicles from moving, place chocks, cradles, wedges, or other measures against the wheels. These devices require security.

Best practices after loading the equipment

You need to lower all ancillary equipment and movable parts, such as hydraulic shovels, booms, plows, crane arms, and so on, and secure them to the transport vehicle with tiedowns.

For the accessories with locking pins or similar devices that prevent movement in any direction, you do not need to secure them with additional security measures.

Hydraulics alone are insufficient to secure auxiliary equipment so if possible use additional units.

If the equipment being transported has an articulation point, pivot, or hinge in its design, secure or constrain the vehicle or equipment to prevent articulation during transit.

You need to secure accessories and other items not attached to the equipment to the transport vehicle in accordance with the normal cargo securement rules.

When doing this, confirm the vehicle’s true height and breadth.

Perform all needed en-route security assessments.

Have minimum tiedown requirements

If the loaded vehicle has crawler tracks or wheels, you need at least four tiedowns to prevent the equipment from moving side-to-side, forward, rearward, and vertically.

You should note that an indirect tiedown routed through an anchor point and attached to both sides of the trailer is considered a single tiedown.

You can use a chain as two tiedowns provided it is appropriately linked to two anchor points with two binders and has slack in the middle, ensuring that a break in the chain does not affect each tiedown.

For peace of mind, the total working load limits of the tiedowns must be at least 50% of the cargo’s weight. If the cargo weight is unknown, you may need more tiedowns.

You can attach the tie-downs near the front and back of equipment, or at the mounting locations of the equipment intended for that purpose.

Ensure that you play by the load securement laws

During Roadcheck, inspectors will largely do the Level I inspection, which is a thorough 37-step examination of the vehicle and the driver’s credentials.

To ensure that you are on the right size, ensure that spare tires, loads, goods, tools, and dunnage are securely fastened and do not fall, blow, spill, or leak off the vehicle, or roll or shift while in transportation.

Also, ensure that there are enough tiedowns for the weight and length of the equipment being transported.

Check for faulty tiedowns, which may be loose, torn, broken, crooked, or knotted. If you have a problem, fix it immediately.

Inspect the anchor points and buildings for damage. You also need to confirm that you observe commodity-specific cargo security standards at all times.

Parting shot

These are some of the things you should do to ensure that your load is safe at all times during transportation.

You can do the transportation by yourself but for the best outcome, let an experienced heavy machinery moving company handle the work.

The beauty of hiring a company is that you are sure that they will deliver your equipment safely and without any problems. You are also sure that they will pay attention to all the laws and your equipment won’t be held on the road due to lack of compliance.

When you are hiring a heavy machinery moving VA company, don’t hire the first one that you come across. Instead, take your time to find a reputable one who will have the necessary equipment and experience. Don’t take risks on a piece of expensive equipment.

7 Situations When You Have To Move Heavy Equipment

If you use heavy equipment in your projects, there are plenty of reasons you might consider moving the equipment from one point to the other. Some of these reasons as given by heavy machinery moving experts include:

You need to replace the machine

Machines, like other systems, have an expected lifespan. After reaching that threshold, machines require part replacements or, in certain circumstances, full removal.

Replacements are also necessary when the equipment becomes obsolete or is broken beyond repair. Running broken or obsolete machinery will cause more harm than good.

It will not only slow down production and increase costs, but it will also pose a risk to everyone involved. When you are looking to replace your old or malfunctioning machinery, you need experienced machine movers to remove the machinery and install new equipment.

You need to relocate the machine

Is your business outgrowing its current space? Are you seeking a facility with cheaper rent and overhead? Moving or replacing your equipment may be necessary if you want to relocate your operation.

Rather than investing money in new machinery, you should consider hiring a professional rigging company to move your heavy equipment.

If you are relocating the machinery from one section of the business to the other, you can use your own forklifts, air bearings, and other equipment to move the equipment. However, if you are moving the equipment from one state or town to the other, you will need to hire a company to help with the relocation.

You are redesigning the site

Finding the ideal arrangement for your work site can be challenging. As you work, you might find a better and more efficient arrangement and you have no other way out other than to move the equipment around to fit the new arrangement.

You are discarding old equipment

You need to decommission and discard machines as soon as they reach a certain performance level and begin to lose efficiency. However, the size of rejected pieces can vary, and they must be removed from the facility before scrapping.

Such a large-scale movement necessitates the use of expert movers to transport it to the appropriate disposal location.

You are upgrading to better machines

Machines and their components require constant upgrades for optimal functioning. Upgrade parts can be of various sizes, ranging from small screws to massive dynamos and generators.

To avoid damage, you need to ensure that all improvements are transported and unloaded with extreme caution. Depending on the size of the part, movers load and unload the machine using equipment such as air bearings or crane systems.

You are selling the equipment

You can downsize, relocate, or make changes regularly, and often dispose of or sell your old equipment. Discarding occurs when a machine has completed its life cycle and has outlived its usefulness.

If the machine is still functional or requires minor repairs, the best way to handle it is to sell it. When you sell the machinery, you will need expert movers to transport it to the new owner’s location.

Why do you need a professional mover when moving heavy machinery?

Regardless of the reason you are looking to move heavy machinery, you should always hire a professional company to help you out.

If you have your team that can do the moving you must be wondering why you should hire a professional to help you out, right? Well, there are plenty of reasons you should do it. These reasons include:

You reduce the risk of injury

You are familiar with your machine and are aware of its weight and size. Regardless of your motive for moving, it will be extremely unsafe for your employees to try to move it. In some cases, one of your employees may get injuries, and you may incur financial costs.

Hiring a rigging company ensures that your machinery is moved securely by skilled specialists who adhere to their guidelines.

When you are hiring moving professionals, always hire experienced ones with an insurance policy. This way you are sure that even if an accident happens, you won’t be responsible for compensating them.

You don’t strain your moving equipment

Moving big machinery necessitates the use of specialist equipment capable of safely handling the weight of the object being moved. If your equipment fails when transferring your machinery, it may cause harm to critical components of your machine.

Professional rigging companies provide skilled machinery moving contractors with the necessary rigging equipment to properly transport and preserve your machinery throughout the relocation.

You save time

Moving large machinery while trying to do your daily tasks is not only a physical drain on your employees and equipment, but it also wastes time.

Instead of having your employees complete jobs that they excel at for your firm, moving equipment diverts their attention away from the skills they provide to your team.

With a trained rigging business, the jobs are accomplished swiftly and efficiently, allowing your personnel to focus on what will help your business flourish.

Also, if you attempted to move the machine, you would have spent too much time doing it because you don’t have the right machine or skills for the task. With professional movers, they have the right equipment for the task. At the same time, they have been doing the moving tasks for too long which means that they complete the tasks fast.

You exonerate yourself from responsibility

As mentioned, moving heavy equipment comes with plenty of risks. The heavy equipment can fall, and people can get hurt, among many other risks.

When there are too many risks involved, the last thing you want is to be responsible for the outcome.

When you hire heavy equipment movers VA, you lift all of the responsibilities off your shoulders and place them on the shoulders of the equipment movers. They will be responsible for anything that happens to the equipment and the people handling the equipment.

To be safe, ensure that you hire an insured company. As mentioned, when you hire an insured company you are sure that the insurance company will handle the responsibility should anything happen.

Dangers That Come with Working with Heavy Machinery and How to Avoid Them

heavy equipment movers

If you work with heavy machinery or supervise personnel who do, know the inherent risks involved with the tasks.
Understanding the hazards involved and taking the necessary actions to mitigate them is paramount as it helps keep individuals safe.

To help you out, here are five of the most severe threats, as well as the necessary precautions you should take to protect yourself:

Heavy equipment transport accidents

Heavy equipment must frequently be moved between places. For example, you might need to move the equipment from one site to another. While this is good, the unfortunate thing is that accidents can occur for those in transit or those close if you do not take the necessary precautions.

Heavy equipment accidents usually happen due to carelessness or using the wrong moving equipment.
To stay safe when undertaking heavy machinery moving, it is critical to have a well-balanced load. To avoid tipping, ensure the load is appropriately centered and sits between the trailer’s wheels.

Before leaving, you should plan your route. Narrow bridges, underpasses, and unfinished surfaces on the road can all pose unwelcome but avoidable obstacles.

The same may be said about current roadwork. Knowing what a route includes beforehand allows you to plan accordingly to stay safe.

Planning also makes it possible for you to move the heavy equipment with ease and without causing a lot of commotion.

Getting crushed or run over

Heavy equipment’s weight, size, and power endangers persons who could be crushed between moving parts or run over by a machine.

Both awareness and visibility lessen the likelihood of both types of accidents. For example, training a worker to behave safely around a machine and ensuring the crew has appropriate high-visibility gear can go a long way.

Different organizations are trying to keep humans safe by using robotics and automation.

Experts in the industry have begun formulating related ideas and rules, such as the requirement that robots be safe and secure before working with people.

Some robots are also specifically intended to perform dangerous tasks that put people at an increased risk.
Heavy machinery that can be moved via remote controls is emerging and keeps people away from the danger zone.

Before you start working, you should ensure that you are visible and there are no blind spots in the areas you are working. If there are kids in the site you are working, keep them away from the danger zone.

Working without guards in place

Machine guards protect workers from potentially hazardous elements of a machine by shielding them from components that offer a high risk to them.

Some people, however, believe that the guarding interferes with the machine’s performance and removes it. This is wrong as it often leads to accidents that can quickly turn catastrophic.

Others know the importance of guards but don’t understand how to ensure they are present on the device before using it.

Always ensure the guards are in place before using the machine to be safe. Check the user manual if you aren’t sure whether your machine has a guard.

Operating equipment without proper training

Before operating heavy equipment, you must receive the appropriate training from a recognized provider. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. Some people will receive basic training and then rush to operate the machine. This is wrong.

If the machine misbehaves, the poorly trained individuals don’t know what to do. The minimally trained individuals also don’t know what to do in an emergency.

To keep yourself and others safe, you should have the proper training. As a rule, you should only handle the heavy machinery after meeting multiple state-specific educational standards.

In most states, all construction workers must complete 10 hours of OSHA training. Superintendents, forepersons, and supervisors, on the other hand, require 30 hours.

You should practice as much as possible before working with the machine. This way, you not only do a good job but also prevent accidents from coming about.

Failing to learn the risks that come with heavy machinery

Coverage of the most prevalent OSHA standard violations emphasized the importance of avoiding employee exposure to hazards that are most likely to cause significant injury or death.

One of the most frequently reported general industry violations was a lack of a written hazard communication scheme.

Implementing precise protocols and procedures to inform individuals about the dangers contained in a task before they engage in it is what effective hazard communication entails.

Unfortunately, many people don’t engage in it, which, as you can tell, leads to an increased risk of injury or even death.

To minimize the risks, make it a habit of educating the people handling the machinery. It will even be better to remind them every morning about the risks involved and how to prevent them.

When operating a new machinery, educate the people using it and ensure they are conversant with it.
On the other hand, safety managers can help keep people safe by making them aware of the hazards through clear language and real-world examples.

Parting shot

These are some of the risks that come with using heavy machinery. While it’s impossible to eliminate the risks involved with big machinery, knowing the most severe hazards, enables all workers and safety personnel to adapt their behaviors and adjust training content as needed.

When transporting heavy machinery, don’t transport it by yourself or hire the first company you come across. Instead, ensure that the transportation is done by expert heavy equipment movers VA who know what they are doing.

These professionals will not only safely transport the machinery but also ensure that it reaches its destination quickly. The movers will also advise you on any permits you need during the transportation. a

All About Heavy Equipment Transportation

heavy equipment moving

Heavy equipment transportation requires careful planning, whether you are transporting the heavy equipment across state lines or just down the street.

You should do the loading and unloading with extra care, and there are laws to follow. To help you out, here are heavy machinery moving guidelines that will assist you in maintaining safety and efficiency.

Understand your heavy equipment.

There are numerous types of heavy equipment you can use in various industries, such as construction, industrial, oil and gas, military, maritime, forestry, and agricultural enterprises.

Some of the equipment you can transport include backhoes, excavators, rock trucks, loaders, graders, and other machines.

The weight of big machinery can vary. The federal government considers cargo to be a heavy load if it exceeds:

A gross truck weight of 80,000 pounds
20,000 pounds for a single axle
The tandem axle weight is 34,000 pounds.

Challenges of heavy equipment transportation

Transporting overweight or big equipment has special obstacles. The obstacles that you need to be aware of include:

Safety

You should prioritize the security of the equipment. This is not only for the driver’s safety, but also for the safety of other drivers on the road. As a rule of thumb, you need to ensure that your equipment is not too heavy for the vehicle carrying it.

You also need to ensure that you are transporting it at the right time of the day. You don’t want to transport it during the peak hours as you might cause a lot of inconvenience.

You also need to know how you load and unload the big equipment. You need to load the crane properly, and when you get to the site, unload it safely.

Transportation rules and regulations

Because of the dangers that come with transporting heavy equipment, you should be aware of the norms and regulations that you should follow.

You should note that failure to understand the various regulatory standards for size and weight can be costly.

The Department of Transportation is in charge of high loads on the road, but each state handles it differently.

Most states require a heavy load permit, although what constitutes overweight varies from state to state. The restrictions for signage, flags, escorts, and permitted modes of transportation can also vary depending on size, weight, and route.

You are obliged by law to hold liability and cargo insurance, so you should get it before you start the transportation.

Plan the logistics

When selecting a route for a big load, you should keep safety and laws in mind. You should have limitations on how equipment is fastened to a trailer or when the truck can be driven.

You also should have the appropriate cars on hand. In most cases, a flatbed truck will suffice, but don’t be surprised if a heavy-duty, tri-axle lowboy is required.

To load or unload safely, you’ll need knowledgeable personnel. You need a driver with many hours of service experience.

Remember that experienced drivers quickly notice when a large load alters the handling of their car. So go for the experienced ones as they will make your work easy and let you know when there is a problem.

Tips when loading and unloading heavy equipment

Cargo loading and unloading can be dangerous. This is especially true for big machinery. To ensure that you are safe, you need to consider these tips:

Undertake a risk management.

You should develop a rigorous strategy for preparing equipment and personnel for transportation and offloading each heavy equipment.

It will even be better to involve a senior manager or supervisor in assessing hazards and what may be done to address them. You should also detail the plan to resolve any potential compliance issues.

Work with experienced professionals

Transporting a tractor is not the same as moving a pallet. In addition to its weight and size, the equipment is likely to be inconvenient.

Heavy haulage is also costly. You don’t want anything to happen to valuable assets while the moving company is in charge of them.

You should document your operations and ensure that all personnel you hire are adequately trained in the best loading and unloading techniques.

Always do a pre-inspection

Heavy equipment places a significant strain on the vehicle. Before loading, be sure the vehicle or trailer you are using is capable of the job.

Check the vehicle tires, lights, brakes, and tie-down points. You should also double-check the weight-load restrictions.

Secure the equipment

Frequently, the manufacturer will provide instructions and engineering requirements for securing and stabilizing equipment during transportation. To stay on the safe side when securing the heavy equipment:

Use heavy-duty chains that are tight enough to prevent movement or shifting, ensuring that the equipment is secure while the vehicle is moving.
Determine appropriate tie-down places. The use of appropriate points saves equipment damage and aids in security.
Align the chain and hook binder grades to meet your maximum working load.
Use wedges, chocks, or cradles to secure your load

Be on the lookout for risks

If you do not fulfill the specified limits for load weight, height, or length, you risk incurring expensive fines.

To be on the safe side, investigate the rules for each jurisdiction along your path to proactively document and permit as needed.

Weather conditions can also have an impact on road safety. From the start, a large load truck behaves differently when it rains, snows, or sleets, so you should take extra measures.

Rough road conditions can also be an issue. Potholes on the highway could cause equipment to go loose. This creates a risk during transit and unloading.

Understand the route

Planning the route ahead of time allows for optimizing elements that may affect driver and equipment safety.

Avoiding traffic, construction, and traveling in adverse weather makes transportation easier.

Anticipating the path also allows you to determine which permits are required. Make plans ahead of time to avoid excessive idling or deadhead driving.

Parting shot

There are plenty of things you need to consider when moving heavy machinery. To stay on the safe side and have an easy time, work with heavy equipment movers VA who know what they are doing and will streamline the process and make it easy for you.

Best Practices when Moving Heavy Machinery

heavy machinery moving

Moving heavy machinery, such as huge crawler excavators weighing 80 to 100 tonnes, is difficult. These massive machines are designed to handle difficult tasks such as digging, lifting, and loading heavy materials for infrastructure projects and stone, sand, and other aggregates in quarry manufacturing facilities.

Due to their size, these machines require specific treatment from one job site to another or from a dealership to a quarry.

Are you looking to undertake heavy machinery moving? Here are the best practices to make your work easy and smooth:

Know the weight and height of the machine.

Understand your machine’s size and weight before you plan to move them. Consider the attachments you’ll need to transport when determining the size and height.

By doing this, you will easily match the transport vehicles, such as trailers or heavy haulers, to the equipment and adhere to gross vehicle weight ratings laws. Remember to keep the weight of the trailer in mind when determining the overall weight of the machine.

Get the necessary permits.

You’ll need a larger trailer with a higher weight rating when transporting heavy machinery. Oversize loads may require special approval or transportation permits along your route. The permit may also require escort cars to accompany you on the road to inform other drivers of your load.

To have an easy time, plan your transportation route. Keep an eye out for small highways and bridges with weight limits.

Check that your trailer and excavator can pass beneath bridges and overpasses. Choose a route that is simple to drive. Oversized loads should be properly marked with flags, signs, and lighting, so have these to avoid being on the wrong side of the law.

Properly load the heavy machinery.

Understand the owner’s manual’s basic operating and loading instructions before putting your heavy machine and accessories onto a trailer. To help you out, here are some loading and safety tips to consider:

Place the trailer on solid, level ground.
Check if the ramps can support the weight of the machine. If necessary, add blocks under the ramp for support.
Remove any oil, trash, or muck that could cause the machine to slip or slide from the ramp and equipment.
When loading the machine onto the trailer, travel up the ramp with the heaviest end first.
Start the engine at the lowest possible speed. When loading or unloading the equipment, travel at the slowest pace possible.

Distribute your machine’s weight on the transport vehicle. Remember that improper weight distribution increases the pull on the transport vehicle and causes tire wear. Sometimes, it can cause the transport vehicle to tip over if you use an uneven road.

The best way to determine if the load is distributed is to look at the transport vehicle’s suspension and ensure it’s balanced.

Properly secure the machine.

Secure your crawler excavator or any machine you are transporting in a way that prevents it from tipping or rolling off the trailer while traveling in accordance with laws. Your equipment must not be able to shift in a way that compromises the transport vehicle’s stability.

Once your machine is loaded onto the trailer or transport vehicle, proceed as follows:

Drop the bucket or attachment to the ground.
Turn off the engine and apply the parking brake. Set the battery disconnect switch to “off.”
Before transport, secure all doors and covers.
Chocks, cradles, or wedges should be placed before and behind each track. Install tie-downs at the front and rear points, as specified in your owner’s manual.

To prevent movement, most manufacturers require at least four tie-downs. D-rings, chain slots, or built-in strap rails are features of some transport devices.

These allow you to connect your equipment to the vehicle easily. Use the recommended connection points and securements at all times. It will help to reduce damage and increase the efficiency of carrying your excavator.

Inspect the tie-down points and equipment to secure your machine before carrying it.

All pins and connection points should be secure, and the hooks should still be functional.

Remove the tie-down equipment from service if any cracks, stretches, or fatigued links are discovered. All tie-down equipment should be able to meet or surpass the weight rating of the machine.

Be ultra-cautious when transporting the machine.

During transportation, secure the attachment or accessory to the machine. If that isn’t possible, use chain straps to ensure the attachment. Don’t overlook hydraulic attachments. The hoses should be routed so they do not interfere with the equipment on the trailer.

Hoses should not be lying beneath the machine, in the way of a tie-down, or connected so that they can become disengaged. You should secure all hydraulic hoses according to the owner’s manual.

Once you have loaded and secured the machine and attachments, ensure that you or the driver can see out the front and sides of the transport vehicle. Don’t obscure the view, as it might cause an accident. If you load the machine and it blocks your view, the transport vehicle is too small, and it’s time to get a larger one.

Safely unload the machine.

Once you’ve arrived at your destination, unload your machine and attachments carefully. Here are a few things to remember when unloading:

Remove any considerable debris from the unloading area and level the ground as much as possible.
While the machine is on the trailer or transport truck, walk around it. Check that nothing is out of place.
Release the burden by removing the chains and ties one at a time.
Back your machine down the ramp slowly.
Carry out a last inspection. Check the crane and attachments to ensure they are fully operational.

Parting shot

Transporting big equipment, such as crawler excavators and attachments, necessitates careful consideration and planning. However, if proper practices and local transportation restrictions are followed, it can be simple and safe.

Work with experienced heavy equipment movers VA to determine the proper processes to make your project successful.

Tips to Consider When Moving Heavy Machinery

Moving heavy equipment is always tricky, and no one is having fun, even the machines.

The task is not only challenging, but also pegged with plenty of risks.

Thankfully, with some planning and preparation, you can safely ensure that your heavy equipment gets from point A to point B without any major problems or damage.

Keep reading, and we’ll walk you through all the steps you need to take to ensure that your heavy machinery moving is a success.

Some of the things you need to do include:

Keep an eye on the land around you.

When moving heavy equipment, it is important to pay attention to the terrain in the area. Before you leave, take the time to carefully plan a route for your chosen mode of transportation. This can help you avoid trouble.

Also, be conversant with the road widths and bridges where you will be transporting your heavy machinery. The driver will be safer if they don’t have to start, stop, turn, or drive through rough terrain.

Also, think about doing a trial run. Driving through a manned checkpoint is a good way to spot any possible dangers that can be avoided ahead of time. Lastly, if you want to make sure that your cargo always gets to its destination safely, you should be aware of the local geography before you leave.

Apply for the right transportation license.

Heavy equipment, like cranes, dump trucks, graders, and scrapers, should be transported with special permits.

To ensure your heavy equipment gets where it needs to go, you must apply for the right transportation permit. Different states have different rules, so you need to find out what they are and make plans based on that.

Getting the necessary permit can take a lot of time, but it’s important for the safety of your equipment and the people who are transporting it. So, set aside time to ensure you have all the necessary permits before starting any transportation job.

Lock down the wheels.

Not only is it important to ensure your equipment is safe by securing the wheels, but locking the wheels also helps reduce risk when moving heavy equipment.

The time it takes to put on the parking brake, and use wedges, chocks, or cradles on the wheels of equipment will be worth it because they will keep the equipment safe.

When locking the wheels, think about weight distribution forces that could happen during transport, such as:

A 50% force in the back when accelerating, changing gears, or going in reverse.
When stopping, 80% of the force goes forward.
When driving uphill or over rough terrain, you stand to have an upward force of up to 20%.
When turning, changing lanes, or braking while turning, you will have a sideways force of 50%.

These steps cut down on accidental movement and make for a smooth ride.

Put signs and flashing lights on vehicles.

The transport vehicles need to have the right banners, signs, and lights on them. In some situations, there needs to be a vehicle on either side to help guide the truck and show it where to go. The other vehicle follows behind to let other drivers on the route know what’s going on.

For all transportation operations to look professional, ensure communication between transport and escort vehicles. You can achieve this using two-way radios, CB radios, or cell phones.

Inspect the equipment even during transport.

For safe and legal transport, heavy cargo must be properly strapped down. During a trip, it’s important to check in often to ensure that the cargo is safe. Safety standards in the industry say that these checks-in should be done at least:

Once during the first 50 miles of travel.
Every 150 miles or every 3 hours, depending on which comes first.
Whenever a driver’s job or station changes.

Ensure that the drivers write down inspections in a transport log so that safety standards are met.

You might be wasting time putting time and effort into running these key checkpoints, but it’s the only way to make sure that cargo is delivered successfully.

For peace of mind, ensure that the heavy equipment movers DC are experienced and have done it before, and know how to do it safely.

How Do You Move A Heavy Machine?

Do you have a heavy machine and you are wondering how you can move it? There are plenty of ways to go about it. Some of these ways include:

Using a bulldozer

The bulldozer is an excellent machine to move your heavy machinery. The beauty of it is that it’s powerful, so it will easily push the heavy weight to your desired location.

If you are doing the moving yourself, you will need to hire a bulldozer from your local heavy machinery movers. When doing it, be cautious of the one you choose.

You have two options: track or wheeled dozer.

From the name, a track dozer has tracks instead of wheels, which makes it an excellent choice when looking to move your heavy machine in soft soil.

On the other hand, a wheeled bulldozer does everything a tracked bulldozer can but on nice solid ground. This means you should go for this when you want to move your heavy machine on decent ground.

There is no right or wrong bulldozer that you can use. It all depends on the equipment you are moving and the conditions of your location.

Utility machine skates

These are perfect for moving machines of medium load, and they make excellent alternatives for cranes or forklifts.

When using the skates, remember that they have a weight capacity of 37.5 tons. They also work best when moving your heavy machinery in straight lines or turns.

Roller dollies

These are best suited for heavy but not oversized equipment. There are a variety of dollies in the market, so take your time and find one that is right for you.

Their beauty is that they require less power as they have a central load-bearing plate. These dollies can move up to 15 tons and rotate to 360 degrees when properly maintained.

When moving your machinery using the dollies, always use a ratchet strap to help secure the equipment and prevent accidents.

Crane

A crane is an excellent choice if you are moving your machinery up or over a short distance. Like dollies, many types of cranes are in the market designed for different applications.

For example, if you are looking to move your heavy equipment upwards, a tower crane would be the ideal choice, but if looking to move it vertically over a short distance, a mobile crane would be the best choice.

If you aren’t sure about the right crane to get, seek the services of an expert.

A plan

No, this is not a machine you can use to move your heavy machinery, but you need an expert plan to move your unit.

You need to know the right unit to accomplish your work and the right route, among many other details. Remember that without a solid plan, you will lose time, money, and plenty of opportunities to be strategic in how you go about it.

Again, if this is your first time going about it, get the input of a professional.

To get your machinery to your desired venue on time and with as little disturbance as possible, plan to move it when there is little traffic. An ideal time would be on the weekends when most people are in their homes.

You also should always take the shortest distance possible.

To avoid complications, have all the necessary paperwork before you begin the big move. You don’t want to put your machine on the side of the road upon realizing that you don’t have some vital documents.

You will always have risks when moving heavy machinery, so you can’t avoid them. The best you can do is to prepare for it. A good rule of thumb is to have insurance for the machine.

This way, you are sure that in the event of an accident, your insurance company will step in and settle it. You don’t want to be in a situation where you leave everything to fate, as things sometimes don’t go as planned.

Parting shot

These are tricks on how to move your heavy machinery. You can move the machine yourself but work closely with expert heavy equipment movers VA for the best outcome.

7 Safety Tips For Moving Heavy Machinery

According to heavy machinery moving companies, safety is one of the most important factors to consider when moving any heavy machinery. And for you to ensure you are safe when moving the machinery, you need to consider several tips that include:

Work with the right professionals

Everything begins here. There is no way you are going to have a great experience if you work with the wrong people. Working with the right people begins with the moving company you hire.

If you hire the wrong company, you won’t find experienced professionals who know what they are doing.

Before you decide to work with any company, take your time to research the company and ensure that the company knows what it’s doing. This calls for you to ensure that the company has handled similar projects in the past. The last thing you want is a new company doing a trial run with you.

Besides the new company failing to have the right tools for the job, chances are also high that it won’t have the right people.

An ideal company should have successfully moved several similar machines. This way, you are sure that it will expertly move your heavy machinery.

Undertake thorough inspection before the move

Before moving, thoroughly inspect the machine you are moving and the moving vehicle. For the machine, you want to move, ensure that you have switched it off and there isn’t the risk of it accidentally coming on.

You also need to ensure that it’s strongly strapped into place with high-quality ratchet straps.

For the transporting vehicle, inspect the tires for any form of damage. Also, check the fluid levels, booms, hoses, and other components for damage signs. If there is any sign of damage, it’s time to replace the part.

Have a clear plan

Besides the plan helping you stay organized, it also comes in handy in protecting you from getting into accidents. When you have a clear plan, you know what you need to do, which prevents you from making hasty decisions that might land you into problems.

With a clear plan, you know the right routes, the equipment to use, and any other vital information.

Of course, you can’t develop a clear plan if you don’t know what to do, can you? To have an easy time coming up with a plan, work with an experienced company that will explain what to do and the process to achieve your desired results.

Use the three-point mounting and dismounting rule.

People have been hurt and even machines damaged as a result of careless mounting and dismounting of the heavy equipment. To avoid accidents on your site, use the three-point rule.

Use two hands and one foot or two feet and one hand to mount or dismount the heavy machinery.

Be cautious when loading and unloading the machine

Besides observing the three-point mounting and dismounting rule, you need to be ultra-cautious when loading your heavy equipment. As a rule of thumb, ensure that the transport vehicle sits on level ground. This way, you are sure that the vehicle can’t roll or slide.

It’s also wise to have a spotter on the site to inspect the loading and unloading and identify any problem that might be present, and prevent it before it turns deadly.

Look out for hazards before you start work.

You might be using the most experienced moving company, but if you aren’t keen on the hazards in the area, you stand having an awful heavy machinery moving experience.

Before loading the machine, look out for overhead and underground dangers such as gas lines, cables, and even hydro wires.

It will even be better if you can get a map of the area you are working in.

Know and obey the load limits

Every machine has a load limit, and you should be cautious about it as exceeding it will put yourself, your moving vehicle, and other people on the site in great danger.

Heavy equipment movers DC recommend you keep a close eye on the capabilities of your moving vehicle. You should also double-check the weight of the equipment you are looking to move and ensure that it’s not too heavy for your vehicle.

The Secret To Moving Heavy Machinery

moving heavy machinery

When you are looking to move heavy machinery, you have to do all the right things for your project to be a success. Which are these things you should do? Here they are as given by heavy machinery moving experts:

Put your ducks in a row

For your moving to be a success, you have to ensure that you have a solid plan for doing the moving. This calls for you to ensure that you know everything there is to know about the move beforehand.

You should know the right machine you need for the move and the weight and height of the equipment you are hauling.

In most cases, when you are moving a dozer, backhoe, dump truck, or any other large equipment, you need a special permit. The permit will shed more light on how to move the equipment. For example, it will dictate whether you need additional escort vehicles to drive with the heavy hauler and alert other drivers about the load. Ensure that you get this permit as part of your planning.

If you need to use unique roads that are less trafficked, you should know this before starting the move.

Work with the right moving company.

There is no way you will have a successful move if you work with the wrong company. As a rule of thumb, the company you work with should have the right hauler. Before you go to the moving company, you should know the size of your machine both in height and weight.

Before you sign the moving contract, ensure that the trailer provided by the company is large enough to accommodate the height and weight of your machine. The hauler should also be low enough to meet the height requirements in the roads you will be using.

Besides the trailer having the capacity to haul your machine, it also should be in good shape. The last thing you want is the trailer breaking down in the middle of the road.

While you are at the rental company’s offices, pay close attention to the trailer and ensure there are no leaks points or signs of damage that can compromise the securement of your machinery.

Also, confirm that the trailer is free of debris, which can come loose when traveling and cause damage to other vehicles on the road, putting you into trouble.

Safely load and secure your heavy machinery.

After you have confirmed that the trailer is right for your machinery, the next thing to do is load the machine to the trailer. Regardless of who is doing the loading, ensure that you do it in accordance with DOT regulations.

To avoid accidents, use enough and appropriate securing devices. Some of the tips to consider for that perfect securing include:

Use chains where possible. If you can’t find chains, use steel strapping.

Tightly secure tie-downs. This requires you to attach the tie-downs using clamps, hooks, and ties that can’t get loose during transport. Ensure that the tie downs are tight and don’t damage weak sections that can break during transportation.

Secure the wheels with chocks or wedges to prevent rolling during transport.

If possible, use friction devices such as friction mats and other devices that provide better traction and prevent sliding.

As you secure the machine, be keen and choose the right attachment points. Be keen and only use the right points as using the wrong ones could spell doom. There is the risk of breaking or damaging a part of the heavy equipment or failing to keep the equipment properly secured while on the road.

For peace of mind, double-check the attachment points and confirm they are properly in place and can’t get damaged.

You don’t have to transport the heavy equipment as a whole

Transporting heavy equipment doesn’t come cheap. It’s even more expensive when your machine is oversize. If your machine is too heavy, talk to heavy equipment movers DC and find out whether you can remove the work tools and attachments and ship them separately to save on costs.

If your equipment is too tall, consider retracting booms, buckets, or attachments to reduce the equipment height hence reducing the transportation costs and safety risks.

5 Tips To Successful And Stress-Free Heavy Machinery Moving

heavy machinery moving

When you are looking to move heavy equipment, the sensible thing to do is to hire heavy machinery moving company. For the moving process to be safe and stress-free, you need to consider plenty of tips that include:

Plan plan plan

Everything begins with a plan. Before you even visit the rental company, you should know everything about the project from when you will pick the heavy machinery to when you will set it down.

One of the things you should know is the weight of the heavy machinery. This will help you rent the right moving truck. You also should know the best route to use to easily get to your destination with as minimal disruption as possible.

Once you reach your destination, how will you remove the heavy machinery? You also should know the right location to place the heavy machinery after removing it.

The planning stage is where you spend most of your time. To have an easy time, give all the details to the moving company, and they will help you in coming up with a detailed program of how to go about it.

Use the right transport vehicle.

The right vehicle comes in handy at ensuring that transportation is fast and safe. The right vehicle for the job depends on the size and weight of the machine you are looking to transport.

If moving long heavy loads such as columns, the average trailer will get the work done, but if looking to transport long heavy loads, you should get extendable trailers. From their name, these are trailers with the added functionality of being extended.

To have an easy time choosing the right vehicle, explain everything to the rental company, and they will guide you.

Get quotes from different companies.

Moving heavy equipment doesn’t come cheap, and no two companies are similar. For you to get the most from the moving process, work with the right company. Visit different companies and see what they have in store. While you are there, inspect the machines and ensure they are in perfect working condition.

To choose the company that suits your budget, request free shipping quotes from different companies. Compare the quotes and settle on the one that gives you the most.

Understand all the required permits and regulations

Depending on the size and weight of the equipment you are looking to transport, you might require getting certain permits. Work with companies that understand any permits and regulations you might need during the transportation of the machine as they will guide you towards getting the right ones.

Even if the company tells you that you don’t need any permits, do your research to confirm this. You should note that some companies might tell you that you need permits while you don’t need them. To avoid getting extorted, do your research and even visit the relevant authorities and find out whether you need the permits.

If you need them, ensure that you get them. You don’t want the transportation of your heavy equipment getting delayed, do you?

Ensure the load is properly secured.

You might be working with the right company, using the right vehicle for the work but you won’t get the most from the transportation if you don’t properly secure the heavy machinery.

As the transport company is loading the heavy machinery, be present and ensure that the load is secured with the right restraints. This gives you peace of mind that the machine won’t fall off along the way and get damaged, leading to wastage of money.

Think about the safety aspects of the move as plenty of things can go wrong as you are moving the heavy machinery:

People can get stuck and injured by the machinery.
Parts of the body can be drawn in or trapped between the belts, rollers, and pulley drives.
People can get crushed between the parts of the machine moving together or towards a fixed part of the machine.
Sometimes parts of the machine, materials or emissions can cause burns or scalds and electricity leading to electrical shocks.

In addition to planning, you also should work with experienced heavy equipment movers VA.