Best practices are the industry standards great companies follow to mitigate risk and ensure safety. These are especially important when transporting heavy equipment along North America’s busy roadways. Whether it’s in Canada or in the United States, hauling large pieces of heavy construction machinery is required to keep the industry active, and it’s the job of a good 3PL company to ensure you’re contracting companies using best practices for construction equipment transport.
Top Three Things To Consider For Large Equipment Transport
Construction equipment shipping requires preparation, expertise, and attention to detail. Third party logistics companies like NATS Canada stake their reputation on being able to deliver those three elements. To ensure every construction equipment transport job is conducted in a safe manner, there are three important protocols that should be followed.
1) Before moving any equipment, check the instructions. Every piece of heavy construction equipment – whether it’s an excavator, backhoe, bulldozer, grader, trencher, loader, tower crane, compactor or paver – comes with a manual that thoroughly details the safest way to move it. In some cases, that may include removing pieces and transporting them separately. Following manufacturer recommendations for safety is just another layer of protection for any construction equipment shipping your 3PL may be coordinating. There is no downside to taking the time to research the manufacturer’s specifications. It’s called due diligence and it’s a great way to mitigate risk.
2) Map out the best travel route in advance. Not all roads are created equal. Some have bridges, some have tunnels. Some have steep inclines or long slopping declines. Some have multiple lanes and others are poorly paved with soft shoulders. This is no surprise to third party logistics companies whose job it is to arrange safe trucking options. The point is, mapping out the safest route for both the driver hauling a heavy load and the daily commuters sharing that same route is critical. There may be local restrictions for weight and height that must be followed. This is why planning is vital. No one wants to become a social media sensation for having pictures of your rig carrying a bulldozer wedged under a bridge shared across multiple platforms.
3) Recognize the importance of proper loading and unloading, pickup and drop off. There is always a right way and a wrong way to do something: when it comes to construction equipment transport, loading and securing equipment the wrong way could have drastic consequences. It’s vitally important for third party logistics companies to work with haulers who have impeccable safety records in heavy haul transport. That may require your 3PL provider to send in a qualified inspector to oversee the job; it’s always better to be safe than sorry. If the load you’re arranging winds up with a wide-load designation, for example, an experienced person should be overseeing the job to ensure full compliance with safety regulations. There is no margin for error when rolling down the highway with a 163,000-kilogram bulldozer on board secured with inadequate strapping.
When it comes to transporting heavy equipment, trust NATS Canada to help coordinate the job. Our team has years of experience working with reliable, affordable carriers that put safety first.
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