Heavy haulers transport a wide variety of items ranging from bulldozers and cement barriers to pipeline segments. The costs to move these objects will be expensive whether individuals are transporting them across town or initiating a transcontinental relocation. However, it can be less expensive to hire a hauler than to ship by other methods. There are a variety of factors that affect the cost of a heavy haul.

Height and Length

If the weight or height exceeds specific standards, the load will require special permits. The load may also require an escort vehicle. The laws vary from state to state, making it extremely difficult to determine exact costs.

Weight

A major factor when transporting a heavy haul is the weight. The heavier something is, the more fuel it requires to get the entire rig moving and sustain speed. It’s especially important if there will be hills or mountains involved for long hauls.

Fuel

The cost of fuel can vary widely from one part of the state to another. Those costs can change dramatically when shipping outside Florida. Most heavy haulers automatically add a fuel surcharge (FSC) to every job to account for variances in fuel prices.

Mileage

The distance to be traveled to the destination will definitely affect the cost of transport. It’s typically cheaper to transport something within Florida than out of the state simply due to shorter distances and the fact that there’s more freight entering the state rather than exiting.

Time of Year

Some shipping times of the year are less expensive than others depending on demand. Individuals should know that those rates can quickly change, since many companies try to ship during certain times of the month. This can result in higher rates as heavy haulers become scarce.

Type of Trailer

If the equipment to be moved requires a trailer and the object can be placed on a flatbed, also known as a lowboy, it will be less expensive than a removable gooseneck trailer (RGT) since they’re able to haul heavier loads. An RGT is typically utilized to carry freight that’s long and tall. The trailers can be lowered to the ground to function as a ramp.

Extras

Depending upon the type of load that’s being hauled, tarps may be required along with special insurance and tolls.

With over a decade of transporting and Heavy Haul experience, we ensure your heavy equipment is transported safely. Our skilled logistics team understands it’s mission-critical to get your load where it needs to be on time, every time and will make it our main focus when shipping for you.

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Every project manager knows that if the needed equipment isn’t available at the right time, construction grinds to a halt. Ensuring that equipment is onsite when it’s required calls for good management in planning transportation, allocation and mobilization of the needed resources. Every job is different and has its own set of challenges and requirements. The following are some tips for the best way to get construction equipment to your jobsite.

Plan Ahead

Whether you have a requisition center to draw upon or you’re responsible for arranging your own transportation, planning and foresight are critical. Heavy haulers are in high demand and the needed trailer may not be available if you wait until the last minute. Depending on the equipment, you may need a flatbed, drop deck, removable gooseneck, or perimeter trailer. They’re specialized transportation methods and designed for specific jobs.

Hire a Professional

Hiring a professional heavy hauler to transport equipment to the jobsite ensures it arrives on time. A professional hauler will have the experience to move your equipment safely and know the requirements for transporting even oversize loads to ensure the proper permits, signage and even escort vehicles are available.

Traceability

It’s absolutely critical to have a way to track, trace, and know when your equipment will arrive. That ability allows you to alter plans and assign work crews as needed. It’s one of the reasons that hiring a professional heavy hauler is so important. With modern technology, they can keep you informed at all times of where your equipment is located and its estimated time of arrival. It also enables you to schedule a pickup when applicable, maintenance or repairs.

Saving Money

The best way to get construction equipment to your jobsite is one that’s reliable, safe, and saves you money. That encompasses hiring professionals that are experienced and cognizant of the regulations and permits needed to get your equipment to your jobsite safely, on time and provides transparency through traceability.

With over a decade of transporting and Heavy Haul experience, we ensure your heavy equipment is transported safely. Our skilled logistics team understands it’s mission-critical to get your load where it needs to be on time, every time and will make it our main focus when shipping for you.

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In Florida, any load that exceeds 8 ft. 6 in. on a roadway that’s less than 12 ft. wide requires an oversize load permit. The same is true for loads exceeding 13 ft. 6 in. in height or over 40 ft. in length. If the weight is more than 21,000 lbs. per axle or 34,000 lbs. for a double axel, there will be oversize load permits required.

The laws for heavy haulers are very clear and specific, but they don’t end with height, weight and length. If the freight or equipment meets the qualifications of an oversize load, other regulations will come into play. The load may require the services of an escort driver.

Regulations include how many hours per day the driver will be allowed to be engaged in the active transport of the load. The rig can only begin transporting from 30 minutes before sunrise and must stop 30 minutes after sunset if the load is between 10-14 ft. wide. Holidays also present a travel problem. No movement is allowed on holidays if the load is more than 14.6 ft. high, 10 ft. wide, or 80 ft. long.

Loads that meet the criteria will require oversize load signage or a banner on the front and back of the vehicle and in specific colors. Flags of precise colors and sizes are also required – they must be able to wave freely and without impediment. The purpose is safety and to make the heavy hauler as visible as possible to other motorists. Depending on the equipment or objects to be transported, tarps may be a requirement.

The wide range of laws governing oversize loads are very specific. It’s just one of the reasons that anyone that needs equipment or other items to be hauled should consult with a professional heavy hauler company. They’re cognizant of the rules, the best type of rig to accommodate the weight, height and width of the load, and the safest and most efficient way to ensure the load arrives on time.

With over a decade of transporting and Heavy Haul experience, we ensure your heavy equipment is transported safely. Our skilled logistics team understands it’s mission-critical to get your load where it needs to be on time, every time and will make it our main focus when shipping for you.

CONTACT US TODAY

Heavy equipment of all types is regularly exported to other countries. Ensuring the equipment arrives in excellent condition and in a timely manner requires careful forethought, planning, and understanding the rules and regulations governing exports. Individuals also need to ensure that the equipment is handled properly at every step of its journey and heavy haulers will play a significant part of the process.

Shop Around

Cheap doesn’t mean best. Get quotes from at least three different companies. Individuals have the option of hiring a freight forwarder to ensure the equipment gets to its destination for export. However, a freight forwarder doesn’t actually move the equipment. They’re intermediaries between the shipper and various types of shipping methods ranging from trucks and ships to rail and air.

Individuals can also hire a heavy hauler company such as North American Heavy Haul that provides logistics services, port transports, and international shipping for exporting heavy equipment to other countries. Heavy haulers work tirelessly to ensure the equipment arrives at the appropriate shipping location in a timely manner. There will be an extensive range of documentation involved with which a heavy hauler company is cognizant.

Costs and Delivery

Close doesn’t equate with timeliness or cost-effectiveness. Many individuals choose their transport methods based on the simple expedient of proximity when other methods can be more cost-effective and efficient. Another consideration is that the timing of deliveries and port fees vary according to location. It’s a mistake to assume that the closest port is the most efficient, effective, or timely.

In some instances, choosing a more circuitous route can actually be more cost-effective. Some equipment can be transported in containers and specialized trailers are utilized overland, while some types of equipment may need to have elements dismantled for reassembly at the destination.

Hire Professionals

No matter where the freight will be shipped, heavy haulers will play an important role. The goal is to move the equipment in the most cost-effective and expeditious manner possible. Always work with a trusted heavy hauler that’s established a reputation for reliability, safety, prompt delivery, and cost-effectiveness.

With over a decade of transporting and Heavy Haul experience, we ensure your heavy equipment is transported safely. Our skilled logistics team understands it’s mission-critical to get your load where it needs to be on time, every time and will make it our main focus when shipping for you.

CONTACT US TODAY

Whether you’re towing an RV cross country for recreational purposes or hauling equipment across town to a job site, there are a myriad of terrain types that you may encounter. Rolling hills and mountains interspersed with long stretches of flatlands will all affect your haul in different ways. That doesn’t even factor in construction zones, gravel roads and railroad tracks.

Traction

You should anticipate multiple types of terrain and plan for them ahead of time when hauling heavy equipment or pulling a trailer or camper. One of the first things you need are tires that provide appropriate traction, particularly if you’ll be driving on back roads, job sites, or in loose soil. You can easily and quickly lose control of a trailer in those conditions.

Power

Make sure your vehicle has the power to pull the trailer’s weight and cargo comfortably. Don’t overload the trailer and ensure the load is balanced – not too far forward or back. Doing so enables the load to be towed more easily.

Speed

The greater the speed, the easier it is to lose control in loose soil or if you swerve to miss wildlife that wanders into the road. A steady speed is always best and just because the speed limit may state 55 mph, use caution and common sense especially on inclines and during inclement weather conditions. Drive at a speed that’s equitable to the conditions whether that includes rain, high wind or steep inclines.

Braking

Braking systems should be adjusted so they don’t lock up if you’re forced to brake quickly or come to a stop. It takes longer for heavy trucks or a tow vehicle and trailer to stop than it does a passenger vehicle. It’s always a bad idea to depart from established roads or tracks since the shoulders will be far more slippery than the main road.

Clearance

Always know the height of the trailer and cargo you’re hauling. The ground clearance of the tow vehicle is equally important. You definitely don’t want to attempt to pass through an overhead impediment that’s too low or traverse a path with obstacles that can take out an axel or oil pan.

With over a decade of transporting and Heavy Haul experience, we ensure your heavy equipment is transported safely. Our skilled logistics team understands it’s mission-critical to get your load where it needs to be on time, every time and will make it our main focus when shipping for you.

CONTACT US TODAY

Everyone has seen a heavy hauler with loads secured by chains, but few ever consider the standards and best practices that go into ensuring equipment and other items to ensure they ride safely. Those same safety measures are equally important for you when transporting items ranging from furniture and rented equipment to building supplies.

Moving any heavy load is a major endeavor and drivers that don’t adhere to established best practices is courting disaster. Commercial haulers have very specific state and national regulations governing how cargo is to be secured.

As a private individual, you also have rules that apply when hauling cargo. If you fail to follow the law, you can be held liable, prosecuted, pay stiff fines, and sentenced to significant jail time.

Unsecured loads injure more than 3,500 people each year in Florida and cause billions in healthcare costs and property damage. Accidents also occur due to debris on roadways caused by shifting loads.

Commercial drivers understand the importance of securing loads against movement due to winds, bumpy roads and other hazards such as railroad tracks. You can utilize the same basic standards as commercial drivers to ensure loads are safe and secure.

Blocking

Loads should be blocked in the front, back and sides to avoid sliding and shifting. Blocking should fit snuggly against the cargo. The same procedure is equally applicable for open and enclosed trailers.

Tie-Downs

When shifting occurs, it affects the handling of the tow vehicle. Open and flat trailers should employ chains, ropes, straps, or devices on which tension can be adjusted that are strong enough to withstand the weight of the cargo being hauled to prevent movement – typically 1.5 times the weight of the cargo. The restraints should go over the cargo and attach to the trailer on both sides.

Covers

Covering a load, also known as tarping, on open trailers protects other drives from the potential danger of a spill and serves as protection for the cargo. Be sure to look in the rear-view mirror from time to time to ensure covers haven’t come loose. A cover flapping in the wind can easily be torn off. It has the potential to fly off and cover the windshield of other vehicles.

Overloading

Never exceed the weight specifications of the trailer or tow vehicle. The vehicle will be more difficult to handle, it increases the risk of cargo movement, and presents a danger to other motorists. Always ensure that loads are properly balanced.

With over a decade of transporting and Heavy Haul experience, we ensure your heavy equipment is transported safely. Our skilled logistics team understands it’s mission-critical to get your load where it needs to be on time, every time and will make it our main focus when shipping for you.

CONTACT US TODAY

There are multiple variables to consider when choosing an equipment hauling company. For many, the cost is a primary factor, but cheap doesn’t mean better and can end up costing far more than a reputable hauler would have charged. The following are the top six considerations when hiring a heavy hauler.

Capabilities

It’s imperative that the hauler have equipment that’s capable of performing the task. Trailers and tow vehicles must be able to haul the cargo without exceeding specified load limits and be adequate in size for the job. For instance, loose materials such as mulch, sand or dirt will require a dump truck, not a flatbed trailer.

Compliance

Heavy hauling is a strictly regulated industry. Individuals should ensure that the company has the necessary permits and licensing for the type of vehicle needed and the load that will be transported. Without those measures, individuals are placing their equipment at risk and can find themselves facing liability issues.

Safety Measures

Never take safety measures for granted. The safety of equipment and employees can be at risk. An extensive array of state and federal standards is in place governing the safety measures to which heavy haulers must adhere. Reputable companies should be willing to share the types of precautions and safety methods they use.

Insurance

Having the appropriate insurance is critical when working with a heavy hauler company. Don’t assume that the company’s insurance will cover damage to the cargo, injuries, or property damage that may occur. The same standards apply whether the items being transported are going across town or cross country.

Pricing

The company’s pricing and services should be clearly spelled out. If all the company can provide is an estimate, clients can very well find themselves looking at any number of expensive fees for “extra” services. Don’t be reticent about requesting an itemized list of services and prices.

Compare

Everyone has a budget and to obtain the safest and most comprehensive range of services at the best cost, talk with several companies and compare their prices and stated services. The least expensive isn’t always the best option.

With over a decade of transporting and Heavy Haul experience, we ensure your heavy equipment is transported safely. Our skilled logistics team understands it’s mission-critical to get your load where it needs to be on time, every time and will make it our main focus when shipping for you.

CONTACT US TODAY

Timing is an important element of the logistics involved to ensure a heavy haul delivery is transported safely and arrives at its destination in a timely manner. It’s especially important when dealing with heavy equipment or cargo that’s essential for a particular job.

A heavy haul is a complex operation that entails far more than simply loading items on a truck or trailer. There are stringent state and federal regulations that govern how items can be hauled, weight limits and other specifications. Depending on the load, drivers may be restricted to certain traveling times to ensure the safety of other motorists.

Pre-Planning

Planning ahead smooths the process every step of the way. If you know you’re going to need something transported, don’t wait until the last minute to try and get it there. Heavy haulers are in high demand and you could easily find the needed equipment and vehicles aren’t available. Plan ahead and notify your carrier of what you need to do and when the transport will need to be performed.

The same is true at the cargo’s destination. Be sure that the project manager or other official knows that the cargo has been shipped and when it’s due to arrive so there will be someone available to immediately take charge of it. Time is money in the heavy hauler industry and you could find yourself with some extra charges should the hauler have to sit idle at the destination.

Specifications

You’ll need to know the dimensions and weight of what you’ll be shipping. If you need heavy equipment transported, it may be considered an oversize load. That will require special permitting, banners, safety lights, and may even require an escort vehicle. The hauler will need time to obtain the proper paperwork and work out a route that’s quick, efficient, and one that won’t run afoul of any infrastructure limits.

With over a decade of transporting and Heavy Haul experience, we ensure your heavy equipment is transported safely. Our skilled logistics team understands it’s mission-critical to get your load where it needs to be on time, every time and will make it our main focus when shipping for you.

CONTACT US TODAY

There are dozens of opportunities in the heavy equipment operating arena. Heavy equipment operators are responsible for operating a wide range of equipment ranging from hydraulic truck cranes, forklifts and bulldozers to cargo trucks, backhoes and dump trucks. Qualified cargo haulers are always in high demand.

Job opportunities are available as independent operators, with private employers and government entities. Individuals have options that include those that are local in scope or long-haul jobs that may take them anywhere across the nation. Florida requires individuals to keep their certifications and endorsements current. Some equipment may require a specific license in Florida, along with passing a DOT physical.

Heavy equipment operators on salary in Florida typically earn between $51,000-$71,000 per year. Those that are paid by the hour make an average of $17.60 per hour. Overtime opportunities are available and some companies offer signing bonuses. Insurance benefits are usually offered and some companies may even provide parental leave and assistance with personal development or relocation expenses.

Individuals contemplating a career in operating heavy equipment will need a high school diploma or GED and be required to complete an approved heavy equipment training program. Passing a written and skills test is also required. A commercial driver’s license also known as a CDL is required and there are three levels of CDL endorsements.

• A Passenger (P) endorsement enables the carrying of passengers
• A Tank (T) endorsement allows the operation of trucks containing liquid cargos
• A Hazardous Materials (H) endorsement is for operating trucks containing flammable liquids, explosives or radioactive substances.

There are also different classes of CDLs. A Class A is needed for vehicles with a gross weight combination of 26,001 or more lbs. It includes tractor-trailers, flatbeds, livestock haulers, and tank vehicles.

A Class B is required for a vehicle not hitched to a trailer with a cargo weight greater than 26,000 lbs. encompassing passenger and segmented buses, tractor-trailers, and dump trucks with small trailers.

A Class C is needed to operate a single vehicle with a gross weight less than 26,001 lbs., towing a vehicle that weighs 10,000 lbs., or transporting 16 or more passengers including the driver. It includes passenger vans, small HazMat vehicles, and vehicles not included in Class A or B.

With the many opportunities available for heavy equipment operators, there’s an option to accommodate a wide range of personal interests, income desires, and in multiple fields. Individuals can choose to work in areas ranging from mining and construction to hauling heavy equipment.

North American Heavy Haul is a full-service Heavy Equipment Transportation and Machinery Shipping Firm. With Professional Heavy Equipment Drivers in All 50 States, we have more experience transporting oversized and over-weight machinery than anyone in the industry. North American Heavy Haul is dedicated to providing our clients with professional, personalized services and guidance in all your heavy equipment transportation needs.

With over a decade of transporting and Heavy Haul experience, we ensure your heavy equipment is transported safely. Our skilled logistics team understands it’s mission-critical to get your load where it needs to be on time, every time and will make it our main focus when shipping for you.

CONTACT US TODAY

Transporting heavy equipment is a task that should never be approached lightly. There are a variety of things that can go horribly awry and have dangerous consequences if safety protocols aren’t followed. Safety measures are equally essential whether it’s an 18-wheeler hauling industrial equipment or a homeowner transporting a rented machine for a backyard DIY project. The following are the top 5 safety checks that should be performed when transporting heavy equipment.

Owner’s Manual

Every owner’s manual provides specific directions and instructions on the preparation and transport of equipment. It details the specific parts of the equipment that should be tied down, how it should be secured, and the proper blocking techniques or use of locking mechanisms for wheeled equipment. In some instances, the battery may need to be disconnected to disable alarm systems.

Trailer Capabilities

The capabilities of the trailer are key components for hauling any item. There are specific load limits for any trailer that must not be exceeded. Doing so will damage the trailer and the tow vehicle. Tires should be properly inflated and the bed and ramp free of debris, oil or other substances.

Vulnerable Parts

Inclement weather can occur at any time, making it imperative that vulnerable parts be covered to protect them from the elements or from overheating. Doing so will ensure that the equipment arrives at its destination without damage.

Loading

Make the transition from ground to ramp as smooth as possible when loading. The equipment should be able to move from the ground level and up the loading ramp with no gaps to traverse.

Weight Distribution

Once the equipment is on the trailer, it’s critical that the weight of the equipment be distributed correctly. The weight shouldn’t rest entirely on the front or back of the trailer. Appropriate weight distribution will make the trailer easier to pull, significantly reduce the potential of weight shift or the trailer tipping over, and makes it easier for the driver to maintain control of the vehicle and the trailer.

North American Heavy Haul is a full-service Heavy Equipment Transportation and Machinery Shipping Firm. With Professional Heavy Equipment Drivers in All 50 States, we have more experience transporting oversized and over-weight machinery than anyone in the industry. North American Heavy Haul is dedicated to providing our clients with professional, personalized services and guidance in all your heavy equipment transportation needs.

With over a decade of transporting and Heavy Haul experience, we ensure your heavy equipment is transported safely. Our skilled logistics team understands it’s mission-critical to get your load where it needs to be on time, every time and will make it our main focus when shipping for you.

CONTACT US TODAY