What to Look for in Heavy Equipment Transport Companies

construction equipment on jobsite

Written by Trusted Dispatch

February 23, 2023

Now that you’ve purchased a new piece of heavy equipment, it’s time to get it shipped. Looking for the right trucking company for you can be a bit of a hassle, especially when you’re unsure where to start. What kind of trailer should you use? Can they travel between Canada and the United States? How do you know if the driver you get is trustworthy and skilled enough for the job?

There are several things to consider when looking for a heavy hauling service. A great place to start is looking at the kinds of trailers they have available. 

They Can Haul A Variety of Items And Equipment

Whether your heavy load consists of farm or construction equipment, your heavy haul service needs to know how to ship any equipment. The driver you choose should have access to the right trailer that can accommodate oversized loads. A trucking company with various trailers also has drivers who can load and secure your shipment for heavy equipment hauling. 

Their Drivers Are Experienced and Vetted

You depend on drivers to transport your oversize loads in a safe and timely manner. You want to look for a trucking company or load board where truck drivers are vetted, insured, and experienced. Drivers need to understand heavy haul regulations and safety thoroughly. Part of this understanding includes having the proper training and certifications, being insured, and having a reliable vehicle and trailer that’s safe to handle heavy equipment transport. 

Can Haul to And From Heavy Equipment Auctions

Some auction houses have in-house transport services. However, these services tend to have their limitations regarding scheduling and geographic distance; in many cases, they will not ship across the Canada-US border. The location should not be a limitation when shipping your equipment, whether it’s coming from or going to an auction house, crossing the Canada-US border, or driving from one end of the country to the other. The convenience of having direct shipment from the auction house to your target location will eliminate some of the challenges that may come with transporting heavy equipment. 

They Make Safety a Priority

Experienced and trained drivers are a vital part of a good trucking company. Still, they must prioritize safety in all areas. Heavy-duty hauling requires extensive training and proper documentation, and not all shipping companies have high standards

Your trucking service must follow proper safety protocols around roadside safety, loading and unloading equipment, and laws regarding oversized loads in each province. Truckers need to know how to secure the load properly to the appropriate trailer with vulnerable parts of the equipment covered to prevent damage. The driver must also know how to prepare for poor weather conditions, like icy roads, thunderstorms, or emergency situations, such as a flat tire or an accident. 

Easy to Use Their Service

Typically, the shipping process will go something like this:

  1. Contact the driver
  2. Give the driver your machine specs, the pickup location, and the drop-off location. 
  3. Provide a delivery deadline. 
  4. The driver gives you a quote and communicates if they need help loading and unloading.
  5. The driver picks up the load and delivers it to its destination. 

Each step in the shipping process should be as seamless as possible. Good customer service is a must for heavy equipment shipping companies. You might encounter unforeseen challenges, especially road, traffic, and weather conditions. Communication with truckers should be straightforward and efficient so that you or the driver can let each other know if you encounter any challenges or setbacks. 

Heavy Equipment Hauling in Canada

Trusted Dispatch’s 3-step shipping process is straightforward: get an instant, free quote, publish your load, and deliver it. You can use the chat function on the app to communicate with your driver in real-time. If you have questions, need to provide updates, or need to talk to a person, our account managers are here to answer.

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