Are you in the business of transporting heavy machinery? Then you have two options for transporting it. Firstly, depending on your finances you can purchase your own heavy haulage trucks. Are you working on a budget? The next best option—which is more practical in our opinion— is to hire the trucks.
Regardless of the option you pick, you need to be aware of the processes involved when transporting heavy machinery. Machine relocation is a relatively complex task which needs to be handled with extra caution. Special attention must be paid throughout the entire process; from loading and transporting to offloading the machinery.
Why is Safe Transportation of Heavy Machinery so Important?
Failure to follow procedure regarding careful transportation of heavy machinery can have disastrous effects such as:
- Loads that aren’t properly secured may tip over resulting in accidents.
- Accidents may lead to financial expenses being incurred due to damage to the product being transported.
- Damage to vehicles.
- Injuries or loss of life.
- Damage to city property.
The Solution
All the above-mentioned factors can be easily avoided by following these handy tips.
Prior Planning is Necessary
Transporting heavy machinery requires prior and proper planning to avoid any unnecessary accidents. Make sure you’re aware of the exact dimensions of the load you want to transport. This way you know whether you’re adhering to the stipulated regulations regarding transportation of heavy loads in your area.
Also plan your routes carefully. Make sure the route you intend on travelling is free from hazards that may hinder safe transportation.
Lastly, make sure you have the necessary documentation required for transporting heavy machinery such as permits. Make it a point to familiarise yourself with the road regulations in the country you’re driving in.
Consult with a transport specialist if necessary to obtain the required information.
Pick the Right Vehicle
When transporting heavy machinery, using any vehicle won’t cut it. You need to pick the right vehicle that’s specifically designed to handle the exact equipment you want to transport. Typically heavy loads must be transported using extendable trailers.
Inspect the Vehicle
Picking the right vehicle is the first step. But before you load any machinery it’s important that you inspect the truck or trailer first. Check for the following:
- Are the tires are in perfect working condition? This means checking if they have adequate tire pressure.
- The lights on the vehicle—both front and rear—must function well.
- Transporting heavy equipment normally exerts excessive pressure on a vehicle’s braking system. Make sure the brakes are in top form.
Clean the Trailer
After inspection, you must clean the trailer—especially if it’s made of metal. This means making sure it’s free from debris that can otherwise interfere with the loading of your equipment. A clean trailer also means a dry one to prevent slippages.
Does Your Truck Have Signs?
To avoid being caught on the wrong side of the law, it’s imperative that the transporting truck has the necessary signs and lights. These signs serve to signal other motorists that you’re carrying a heavy load.
Read the Owner’s Manual
Once you’re satisfied that the truck is in the right condition to transport your load, it’s time to pay attention to the actual machinery.
Don’t be too quick to load your machinery onto the trailer’; first check the manual instruction. Most heavy machinery come with instructions that outline how the product must be transported. Here the manufacturer explains where each piece is supposed to be placed. Certain pieces of the machinery may require additional protection because they’re more sensitive.
What happens if you misplaced the manual? Thankfully, most manufacturers have this information on their websites.
Also, certain machinery must not be exposed to snow or rain. So be sure to cover your machinery in such conditions using specialised equipment to prevent damage to the electrical components.
Secure Your Load
This is probably one of the most important parts when it comes to transporting heavy loads. Start by picking the right load restraint equipment to secure your machinery. This can be in the form of tie down or ratchet straps that you use to secure the equipment properly.
Again, feel free to ask for assistance from a qualified trucker if you have to. Failure to properly secure your load may result in your machinery falling off the truck resulting in extensive damage.
During Transportation
Now comes the actual transportation of the machinery. Make sure you travel at a very low and controlled speed. This way you can easily navigate any bumps or curves along the way.
Final Words
When transporting your machinery, it’s paramount that you exercise extra caution to prevent any unnecessary damage. Feel free to consult experienced truckers if you need advice regarding safe transportation.
