Do you want to ship heavy equipment without constantly worrying about it?
Pretty much every construction or logistics company out there wants that. They’ve got to ship bulldozers, excavators, and mining equipment worldwide. You’ve got to get it there undamaged, on time, and without costing a fortune.
But…
Transporting heavy equipment isn’t as simple as throwing it on a trailer and driving away.
Heavy equipment shipments are costly. We’re talking hundreds of thousands of dollars for each machine. Some weigh tens of tons! It takes expertise and special tools to move them safely.
Thankfully there are tools that can make heavy equipment transportation as seamless as possible on your end. The heavy equipment transport services market size is $10 billion in 2024, and it’s expected to hit $15 billion by 2033.
Why Heavy Equipment Transport Requires Specialized Tools
Transporting a bulldozer isn’t like moving a couch.
You can’t use the same trucks or tools you would for regular freight. Heavy equipment transport is a specialized industry for a reason. You’ve got oversized loads, special permits, weight limitations on routes, and so much more liability.
Consider this:
Construction machinery accounts for 40% of all heavy equipment shipments. And companies that transport construction machinery know you need special tools just to get the job done.
Damaged equipment from poor handling can destroy your profits. Using high-quality tools reduces those headaches.
It also allows you to transport heavy equipment profitably. The right tools don’t just save you time and headaches, they make your operation possible.
GPS Tracking Systems That Give You Peace Of Mind
GPS tracking has changed the game for heavy equipment transport.
It’s not just about seeing where your equipment is at all times (although that’s nice too). GPS tracking allows you to know the intricate details of your transport process.
Nearly 90% of logistics companies use GPS tracking systems. That’s because these tools have become indispensable to their success.
GPS tracking allows you to know your equipment’s location and speed in real-time. If your trailer takes an unexpected detour, you’ll know immediately.
But there’s more you can do with these systems now.
GPS tracking integrates with maintenance management (helping you schedule service), geofencing (receive alerts if your equipment enters certain areas), and even predictive analysis. You can set geofences on your property so if equipment crosses those virtual boundaries, you get an alert.
This is huge for security and equipment recovery.
Construction equipment theft is always an issue when transporting valuable equipment. GPS tracking allows you to find that equipment and potentially recover it before too much damage is done.
Load Securing Equipment That Works
Securing heavy equipment is serious business.
If your load shifts in transit, it can destroy the machinery. Not only will you have to deal with repairs, but damaged trailers, other vehicles, and potential injuries. The right load securing equipment always pays for itself.
Load securing equipment consists of things like:
- Heavy-duty chains and binders
- Heavy-duty rated straps
- Wheel chocks and stabilizers
- Tie-down points and anchors
All that equipment has to be rated for the loads you’re trying to secure. A 10,000-pound chain isn’t going to do you any good on a 50,000-pound excavator.
Here’s a secret most people don’t know…
Securing your load has everything to do with correct force distribution. You can have all the heavy-duty chains in the world, but if you don’t know how to properly secure equipment, it won’t matter.
You need to know about load dynamics, centers of gravity, and how forces shift when a trailer accelerates, brakes, and turns. High-quality chains and straps may cost more initially, but they last longer and provide the peace of mind you need.
Route Planning Software To Save You Time
Route planning for heavy haul doesn’t use Google maps.
You need special tools that factor in bridge weight limits, height clearances, road width, permit restrictions, and more. That half-empty semi truck can take most any route. You can’t simply load up and go when you’re transporting oversize loads.
Specialized route planning software does all of the heavy lifting for you.
Not only will these platforms know every bridge weight limit and permit requirement, but many handle the application process too. You’ll input your route, and let the system calculate the best path.
Some apps also integrate live traffic data, weather, and construction warnings. If there’s a delay, you can quickly adjust and find an alternative before you’re stuck in traffic.
The best part?
Many of these systems allow you to estimate costs between different routes. Fuel costs, toll expenses, permit fees, and time can be calculated before you start driving.
You can provide more accurate bids when you know the true cost of transportation. Route planning helps you avoid potential dangers before they happen.
Communication Systems Your Transport Team Will Thank You For
Communication is everything in heavy equipment transport.
You can’t be trucking along with a $200,000 excavator attached to your trailer and suddenly lose contact with your team. If something goes wrong, you need to be able to reach them immediately.
Communication should include:
- Two-way radios
- Logistics-focused mobile apps
- Satellite phones
- Dashcams with live stream
You’d be surprised how many companies under-utilize two-way radios. Most people are so obsessed with their smartphones they forget about radio technology. But when transporting heavy equipment, cell service can be unreliable at the best of times.
Having tried and true two-way radios keeps your team in constant contact. But today’s logistics teams also use apps on their smartphones.
Specialized mobile apps allow teams to send messages, track GPS routes, manage documentation, and report progress. Drivers can take pictures of the loading process and upload them directly to the system.
It creates a paper trail that covers your team if something happens. Dashcams have become a must-have for safety these days.
If you install cameras with live stream capabilities, you can monitor your load while it’s in transit. And if the worst happens? You have footage of exactly what happened.
Bundle Up
Here’s the secret most people fail to realize…
Tools are only as good as their integration with other tools. You want everything to seamlessly connect and share data with each other.
Take GPS tracking, route planning, communication tools, and load securing documentation. Pair those together and now you’ve got a system that’s much more valuable than the sum of its parts.
Information can flow between tools automatically. There’s less need for manual data entry, decreasing human error. You also have a single source of truth for your entire team.
Regular truck and trailer maintenance is another place companies can save money. If you’re transporting heavy equipment, your trailer and truck take a beating.
Be sure to train your employees on the latest safety practices and tools too. Tools aren’t magical — your employees have to know how to use them properly.
Bottom Line
You don’t have to stress every time you’ve got to move heavy equipment.
You can use GPS tracking to keep tabs on transportation. Quality load securing prevents thousands in equipment damage. Route planning software can save you tons of time. Communication systems keep your team in the loop.
Bundle those tools together, and now you’ve got a winning combination. Train your employees on the proper use of these tools and keep up with maintenance, and you’re set.
Companies that use the right tools are the ones making a profit in heavy equipment transport. Don’t get left behind, start equipping your operation with what it needs to succeed.