Get a Quick Quote for Heavy Equipment
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How Heavy Equipment Shipping Works
Three simple steps to get your heavy equipment shipped.
Describe Your Equipment
Enter equipment type, make/model, weight, and dimensions. Specify if it is operational or needs special loading.
Heavy-Haul Bids
Permitted heavy-haul carriers with the right trailers bid on your load. Compare pricing and equipment availability.
Permitted & Delivered
Your carrier handles all permits, escorts (if required), and delivers your equipment safely to the job site.
Recent Heavy Equipment Loads
Active shipments looking for carriers right now.
Shipping Tips for Heavy Equipment
- 1Drain all fluids to the minimum safe level.
- 2Secure or remove loose attachments (buckets, blades).
- 3Note the machine weight including attachments.
- 4Provide clear site access instructions for pickup and delivery.
- 5Lower all booms, arms, and articulating components to their lowest position.
- 6Confirm that the pickup and delivery sites can support a heavy trailer and have adequate turning radius.
- 7Take photos of the equipment from all sides showing current condition.
- 8Provide the exact make, model, and year to help carriers select the right trailer.
Heavy Equipment Shipping Guide
Everything you need to know about shipping heavy equipment.
Heavy equipment transport is one of the most complex and regulated segments of the shipping industry. Moving excavators, bulldozers, cranes, farm tractors, and industrial machinery requires specialized trailers, state and federal permits, and drivers with heavy-haul experience. Understanding the process helps you avoid delays, extra charges, and safety issues.
Trailer selection is critical and depends on the equipment dimensions and weight. Standard flatbeds work for smaller machines under 8.5 feet wide and 48,000 pounds. Step-deck trailers provide extra height clearance for taller equipment. Lowboy trailers sit closer to the ground and handle the heaviest and tallest machines. RGN (Removable Gooseneck) trailers allow equipment to be driven directly onto the deck, eliminating the need for ramps or cranes. Your carrier will recommend the right trailer based on your equipment specifications.
Permits are required whenever a load exceeds standard legal dimensions: 8 feet 6 inches wide, 13 feet 6 inches tall, 53 feet long, or 80,000 pounds gross vehicle weight. Each state has its own permitting requirements, fees, and travel restrictions. Some states allow oversized travel only during daylight hours and prohibit movement on holidays or weekends. For super loads — the largest and heaviest equipment — permit processing can take weeks, and the route must be individually surveyed for bridge capacities and overhead clearances. Experienced carriers manage the entire permitting process.
Site access is an often-overlooked factor that can derail a delivery. Heavy-haul trailers are long and heavy, requiring firm ground, wide turning radii, and adequate overhead clearance. Muddy construction sites, narrow driveways, low-hanging power lines, and tight corners can all prevent delivery. Communicate site conditions honestly when booking. If the carrier arrives and cannot safely access the site, you will face redelivery fees and schedule delays. Providing photos or a site map of the pickup and delivery locations helps carriers plan effectively.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about shipping heavy equipment.
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