Understanding the Freight Rate for Heavy Equipment Hauling

There are many factors which go into determining the freight rate for moving heavy equipment. Whether you are in construction, manufacturing, distribution, or agriculture, heavy equipment hauling can be a huge task to undertake. Transporting industrial-sized tractors, bulldozers, road-graders, and cranes requires the use of specialized trucking services. These services can come with higher than expected freight rates depending on several conditions. Here is what you need to know about shipping heavy equipment so you can make the smartest decisions regarding shipping rates and ensure that you are getting the best value for your money without problems and costly delays with your freight.

Getting Started

Before you contact your Landstar agent for freight rates for heavy equipment hauling, there is information you should gather to ensure the best rates and a trouble free shipping experience:

• You should put together a list of all of the heavy equipment you are going to transport.
• Include the make and model for each piece if applicable.
• Get the dimensions and weight of each piece of heavy equipment machinery you are transporting.
  • While your agent may be able to get pretty accurate estimates of dimensions and weights they won’t know the exact configuration of your machine nor will they know about any changes or modifications made to your machinery and accuracy with this information is vitally important to ensure accurate rates and a trouble free shipping experience.
• Consider taking photos and submitting them to the shipping agent to ensure the right type of trailer is selected for the equipment.
• Include the pickup and destination addresses.
• Know how this freight will be loading
  • Will it be loading from the ground?
  • Are they loading with a forklift or crane?
  • This may influence the type of trailer required to load
  • Will the load need to be covered with a tarp?
    • What size tarp will be required to cover the load.
    • Will the items be easily covered by a tarp?
    • Will the item tear a tarp?
• Verify the shipment and delivery dates, and note any specifics regarding best times of the day for delivery, i.e.,loading hours at the delivery facility, etc.
• Contact names and phone numbers are also very important when booking to ensure that we can communicate with all parties.
• Having a specific set of driving directions can often help shippers and receivers avoid a number of calls from drivers looking to pick up or deliver as well. It is also a good idea when getting freight rates to have the value of the load that you are looking to ship to ensure that you are selecting a carrier that has adequate cargo insurance to cover the value of your freight.

At Loadstar Transportation we can provide additional cargo coverage insurance to cover valuable freight however additional fees may apply. The more time  and information your agent has to work with, the better your chances of getting the best rates on a spot market. The sweet spot for advance notice is usually 48-72 hours prior to shipping.

Heavy Haul Trailers

Transporting heavy equipment requires the use of specialized trailers. Almost all of the heavy equipment you want to transport will utilize a flatbed trailer. Within the flatbed trailer category there are a number of trailer types. To see some of our platform trailer types and dimensions and weights they can haul click here 

Step deck trailers are used for freight that is too tall for a flatbed but can also be useful shipping equipment that can be driven, such as backhoe loaders and skid steers,  For heavier hauls, such as excavators or pipe layers, consider the use of double drop RGN trailers. By working with a professional at finding the best freight rates, you are able to get the best deals on the right size flatbed trailers for your particular load capacity.  If the equipment cannot be driven up onto the trailer, check to see if you need any special loading equipment. This can be anything from a forklift to a crane or a tilt bed tow truck, finding the right loading solution can sometimes save thousands of dollars from shipping costs.

Have heavy equipment to move? get started here.

Oversized Loads

If you are shipping heavy equipment that exceeds the standard freight dimensions, then you are moving an oversized load. The standard dimensions vary according to the size of the trailer. However, in general, anything longer than 53 feet, wider than 8.5 feet, and heavier than 47,000 pounds is considered oversized. The limits are determined by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, so there is no way of bending the rules. When transporting heavy equipment that is oversized, freight rates will automatically increase. The size of the freight increases the amount of fuel required. In addition, an oversized load requires specialized knowledge and training and can require local city permits and state permits, as well as extended time in transit. An oversized load often cannot be transported before dawn and after dusk, which can extend the days within shipping schedules. It can also depending on the size of the load take some time to get permits in place to move a load.

Freight Shipment Insurance

Once you have selected a freight rate and associated carrier to handle your heavy equipment hauling, check with the carrier to see if they have adequate insurance coverage. The last thing you want to do is have an accident, damage, or theft with your equipment while on a route. While the trucking companies that we work with here at Loadstar are all fully backed with a minimum of $100,000 cargo freight insurance coverage, it is always a good idea to check your own coverage. Find out if your commercial insurance protects your equipment while in transit. Having this information on hand before your equipment leaves the yard can be a welcoming peace of mind.

Heavy Equipment Hauling Services

Another way to ensure your freight is fully protected and transported in a safe manner is by choosing a Landstar agent to handle all of your freight rate needs. Contact Loadstar at 877-851-1539 to request more information about heavy equipment hauling services near you.