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

Planning and coordination of construction job sites can change from hour to hour and managing those changes encompasses people, equipment, and safety concerns. Site managers need the ability to look ahead and anticipate the unexpected and create alternate plans for changing conditions. Communication will be a key element in the process.

Preventing Theft

Any type of tools or equipment on a job site are at risk of theft. Handheld tools are a particularly attractive target, but don’t discount the potential for theft of heavy equipment. Heavy equipment theft and hand tools is a billion-dollar industry, with less than 20 percent of the property ever being recovered. Every construction site should be protected by a fence. Chain link is the preferred fencing method. It’s affordable and can be erected quickly.

Safety

A chain link fence is also an excellent measure for preventing unwanted incursions by trespassers. Warning signs will need to be displayed and the fencing provides an easy way to do so. Fencing is also an important safety precaution for preventing injuries to the general public. Every preventative option should be employed to prevent an accident that can result in an expensive lawsuit.

Maintenance

The tools and heavy equipment on job sites work hard. Regular examination and maintenance are essential processes. Depending on equipment usage, there will be multiple maintenance schedules to manage and you may need to arrange for extra machinery if a piece of equipment will be down for servicing.

Rentals or Purchases

Equipment and tools are expensive investments. In some instances, it may be more cost effective to rent specific items instead of purchasing them depending on how often a specific piece is utilized.

Traceability

The use of GPS trackers is an excellent way to ascertain the location of any piece of equipment at any given time. It’s effective in the event of theft and it also provides an easy way to ensure that no piece of equipment is inadvertently left behind on a job site.

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

There’s satisfaction is knowing that you’ve delivered a piece of heavy equipment safely and securely to its destination, especially when considering the hazards and myriad of things that can go wrong. There’s far more involved in delivering equipment to your job site than loading and securing it, covering any pertinent parts, and distributing the load appropriately.

The logistics and the way in which equipment is delivered will depend on the size and weight of the equipment and the distance it will need to travel. Tractors, boats and items of a similar weight and size can typically be handled with a flatbed trailer, often called a lowboy.

For items that exceed the weight, height, or size limitations of a flatbed, the services of a heavy hauler truck and trailer combination will be required. They’re the solution of choice for items such as planes, cranes and excavators, along with front end loaders, construction beams, turbines, and manufactured homes.

There are specific laws governing what is considered an oversized load and a superload in Florida. An oversized load is one that exceeds a width of 8 ft. 6 in. or exceeds 8 ft. when traveling on roads of 12 ft. wide or less. A wide load is also anything that exceeds 13 ft. 6 in. in length. Limits are in effect for how much weight each axle is allowed to support.

Any load exceeding 15 ft. high, 15 ft. wide, or 150 ft. long is considered a superload. If the width exceeds 16 ft., the route the transport vehicle will take must be surveyed, preceded by a qualified escort, and sometimes a chase vehicle.

The required permits must be kept onboard at all times. Permits are valid for a specified number of days and travel is limited to certain times of the day depending upon weight and/or height to ensure the safety of the hauler and motorists on the road.

Regulations for delivering your equipment safely to the job site don’t end there. Red or orange flags are required to increase visibility to motorists and any protrusions or corners must be clearly marked with an orange square. The tow vehicle will also be required to be equipped with amber warning lights to ensure your equipment arrives safely and without incident.

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

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.

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 for Free Shipping Estimates and hauling in formation. We welcome any questions, concerns, or comments you may have.

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.