Transporting Heavy Machinery: 5 Factors To Consider

Moving heavy machinery or plant movement across large distances can be tricky and require careful planning and consideration. 

But when done right, it can provide an efficient and cost-effective way of getting your machinery from A to B – no matter how far apart those points may be.

If you’re working on a big project with multiple components, several key factors must be considered before transporting heavy equipment. 

In this blog post, we’ll take an in-depth look at five areas you should consider when transporting such machinery. 

Knowing these important details will ensure your job runs smoothly while keeping safety in mind!

1. Vehicle management

Vehicle management is a crucial element to consider when transporting heavy equipment. This includes,

• Finding a reliable company to transport your machine

Finding a reliable transport company for your machinery can be tricky, but it's essential to ensuring your goods get moved safely and efficiently. Before picking a company, looking for one with extensive experience in moving heavy machinery or plant equipment is important. 

Be sure to take the time to ask for examples of all previous services the company has provided in this field - that way, you can choose a service provider with expertise in the industry. 

With the right transport partner on board, you can trust that your machines will get from Point A to Point B without any bumps along the way.

• Using the right transport vehicle

Selecting the right transportation vehicle is a critical part of the vehicle management process. Factors such as the transport vehicle's size, weight, stability, and manoeuvrability should be considered. 

Heavy plant and machinery are moved on vehicles with a flat bed, often called 'low loaders'. The plant or machinery being carried is either rolled onto the bed of the lorry or lifted onto the bed of the low loader.

Further, some specialist low loaders have super-low loading angles to reduce the risk of damage. These are often used when moving buses, coaches, limousines and motor homes. 

• Knowing the different types of transport vehicles available

Having a grasp on these various transport vehicles ensures smoother transportation in the UK. The most common vehicle for heavy transportation in the UK is a 6x4 'tractor unit' and ‘low loader trailer’.

When the vehicle needs to travel off-road, the transport company usually uses what is known as a '6 by 4', meaning you can lock four of its six wheels for better traction. This helps to improve traction when working off-road, for example, at a construction site or a farm yard.

Regarding trailers, there are two types: one with ramps and one with the full width of the rear of the bed lying across the floor. The full bed type can be used for smaller items such as reach trucks or lifts since it provides more stability due to its width. 

2. Route plan

Planning a route ahead of time is essential for ensuring safety during transport. By anticipating the route, you can avoid traffic that could endanger drivers and equipment. 

Additionally, before entering a pickup or drop-off location site, the client needs to provide a comprehensive overview of the equipment's position and ensure that any applicable health and safety considerations have been addressed. 

Doing so ensures that all parties are on the same page regarding what exactly will be moved and any possible hazards of accessing the pickup or drop-off site. 

Further, route planning should also be considered when recovering the equipment, as local laws may have restrictions based on the vehicle's size, width, height, and weight. 

In some cases, an escort vehicle may be required when the load being moved falls under STGO 1, 2, or 3, which may result in the loads travelling at specific times of the day or week.

3. Rules and regulations

Transporting heavy machinery or plant movement requires detailed planning, for which it is essential to familiarise yourself with all applicable laws and regulations, both at the local and national levels. 

Depending on the size of your plant or machinery, special permits may be necessary before transportation. Therefore, take a moment to review the Special Types Enforcement Guide provided by the UK Government to ensure that you comply with all requirements.

4. Safety

Checking the condition of your equipment before transportation is a vital step for successful transport. 

Investing in the correct load restraints like certified chains is essential to protect the machinery against unexpected and sudan movement on the road, harsh weather conditions, or other potential impacts.

In some cases adequate sheeting for an extra layer to protection on the valuable equipment if needed.

5. Qualified drivers

Keeping everyone safe while transporting equipment and heavy vehicles is paramount. As such, recruiting well-qualified drivers with proper IVR training is essential. 

The Institute of Vehicle Recovery - the IVR – provides some of the best courses in the UK, requiring each driver to carry an ID card that lists what they have done. 

Furthermore, basic maintenance knowledge and several years of experience in a lengthy driving background with trailers or plant movement are ideal.

To sum up, everyone needs to weigh these five key factors when considering plant movement or the transportation of heavy machinery. Getting these items right can make all the difference between a successful delivery and experiencing expensive mistakes and delays. 

Take your time researching best practices for safely transporting any heavy machinery you might need – it will most certainly pay off in the end.