Heavy equipment transport can be a dangerous task – we take our jobs very seriously at Ready Machinery. The job requires in-depth planning and careful considerations to minimize accidents.
Businesses rely on commercial transportation to ship heavy equipment from one place to another without damage. There are 700,000 trucks across Canada, 420,000 of which are used to carry freight commercially.
Proper preparation minimizes the risks and increases safety for everyone involved, and protects cargo.
Safety Tips For Heavy Equipment Moving
Here are five safety tips to get your heavy equipment ready for transport.
Check The Owner’s Manual
Before inspecting or placing any equipment on your truck, check the owner’s manual to find specific instructions on preparing and transporting specific equipment. You’ll be able to find:
– How to prepare the machine
– Securing parts or tying components down
– Measurements and weights for shipping purposes – do you need to consider an oversized load?
You’ll also be able to find out if you need to use a locking mechanism on your wheels or disconnect an alarm system to prevent false alerts during travel.
Vehicle Safety Check
After you’ve checked the owner’s manual, it’s time to inspect the trailer. Before loading heavy equipment onto the trailer, you should inspect the hauling capabilities – you want to be positive that it can carry the weight you are loading. Hauling items that are too heavy can cause damage.
As important as preparing machinery for moving, you must be sure your truck is fully prepared for the road. Take some time to top up fluids, check brakes and tire pressure. Take a complete visual inspection of your vehicle, looking for any damages or concerns.
Prepare For Loading
The ramp and trailer must be clear before loading heavy equipment. Remove debris and clean any oil and lubricant off the ramp to prevent having a slick surface. The smoother the change from the ground to trailer bed, the safer the process can be.
Protect Vulnerable Parts
Transporting heavy equipment on an open container leaves it exposed to the weather. Before shipping, cover any vulnerable parts that you don’t want open to rain, snow, or wind. In winter, protect the tank and lines from freezing by using insulation. In the summer, be mindful of machinery that can overheat and avoid rust while shipping machinery.
Load And Secure Heavy Machinery
Now that you have ensured the safety of your truck and protected machinery parts, it’s time to load and secure. Choose your tie-down parts and use extra straps if necessary. Secure each wheel is locked and use a wedge to ensure it doesn’t move during transport.
Planning and understanding the do’s and don’ts of loading and transporting heavy equipment will help you move with proper care on your next haul. If you have any questions concerning moving machinery, fill out the form below.
