Blog - Great Western Transporation

Transporting Heavy Machinery Can Be A Simple Process

Are you preparing to ship heavy equipment or heavy machinery from various locations across the United States in 2020? If you are, a transportation service should be part of your foundation. Across the United States, you will find a network of reliable and effective heavy machinery and heavy equipment transportation services who will ensure the job is completed the right way.

Heavy machinery and heavy equipment transportation services will give you every opportunity to fulfill your shipments in a quick and safe manner. It will not matter how complex a load may be, a transportation service will be able to handle the job. Some of the heavy machinery that can be transported using a transportation service includes the following:

cranes
drills
power belts
engines for automotive vehicles
farm equipment
tractors
forklifts

If you found that shipping and transporting heavy machinery or equipment was difficult for you in 2019, you can find greater success with a transportation service. With the system that a transportation service uses, shipping heavy machinery will be a straightforward and flawless process. Before anything can be transported, it is important that you determine what type of trailer will be used to transport the equipment.

When you have an idea of what type of trailer will be a better fit for the equipment you need to transport, Sometimes parts of the machinery will need to be removed in order for equipment to be transported safely. When you have an idea of what type of trailer will need to be used, you will be able to start the process of preparing your heavy machinery or equipment to be transported.

Pieces of the equipment will need to be positioned properly so the length of height will not be negatively impacted. If there is anything on the equipment or machinery that will make you oversized, those pieces and attachments should be removed. In many states, it is against the law the ship machinery with specific pieces attached.

If the heavy machinery you want to transport can be classified as an oversized load, you will need to use lights or signs to indicate the oversized load. Your transportation service provider will be able to assist you in determining the rules for the states your machinery will pass through. When the time is right for you to find a reliable transportation service, just contact Great Western Transportation and we will help you get started.

January 15, 2020 | | Category: Heavy Haul

3 Tips for Transporting Heavy Equipment

When moving heavy machinery, ensure that they are stored properly to prevent damage and mechanical problems. It pays to hire skilled transporters to avoid extra costs and other issues. In addition to examining the experience of the company, here are some tips that will help you transport heavy equipment with comfort.

Tip #1: Prepare the Equipment’s for Transport

The transportation company is not accountable for preparing the equipment to be moved, organize the equipment to prevent damage. When preparing the interior, ensure the buttons, knobs, and levers are safe from damage. For added protection, use a bubble wrap for delicate interior components.

Tip #2: Choose a Reliable Company

Pick a skilled transportation company to avoid spending extra cash. Enquire from other industries on the services they have used and what their experience was. Check online for customer reviews to see if the prospective transportation company has a reliable track record. Avoid working with a company that does not have proof of insurance and license. You can also inquire from the potential partner about the type of insurance it carries, federal licensing, and its state.

Tip #3: Avoid Wide-load Designations

Some equipment such as crawlers, scrapers, and wheel loaders may require an extra permit and cash if your state classifies them as wide load. However, you can ship the equipment wisely and avoid spending extra cash by removing or retracting a tall boom from an excavator or crane to avoid designating the equipment as a wide load. You can also reduce the weight of the equipment and cut the costs by removing accessories and attachment. Ultimately, budget some extra cash for added permits if you have to transport an oversized load.

Contact us if you are looking for more information on how to move your heavy equipment. We are a reputable company that offers top-notch services for heavy machinery.

January 3, 2020 | | Category: Heavy Haul

Moving Heavy Machinery Through Heavy Haul Trucking

Generally, a heavy hauler is a carrier or transporter for heavy loads that cannot be transported through other means. A business should look for the provider that will offer them the best services. A business should also find the best transportation service that will provide better stability and a better balance.

There are several factors that will need to be considered when it is time for you to prepare to ship heavy equipment. The important factors you will need to consider can range from the type of services your potential transportation service provider offers to the type of heavy haulers you will need for a successful transport.

When it is time for you to choose a heavy hauler, one of the things you should determine is if the transportation service provider you are considering offers the heavy haulers that will be able to haul the heavy equipment you need to have transported from one location to the next. When you determine that the transportation service provider you are considering has the capacity and capability to complete the job, you will need to make sure your business will not be vulnerable to any risks.

It is important to ensure that the transportation service provider you are considering meets all the standards and regulations that the government has set. There are many standards and regulations that will need to be met in the US when equipment is being transported, and it is important that you are aware of where the transportation service stands in terms of meeting those standards. If you fail to determine if the transportation service is meeting those regulations, you may subject yourself to legal actions if an accident takes place during the transport.

Taking on a heavy hauling job may not be the easiest task you have taken, but the success of the transport can depend on the transportation service provider you have selected. When you make the right decision when it comes to the transportation of large and heavy equipment, you are not only ensuring the safety of the equipment you are transporting but your entire business operations as well.

Are you preparing to move a heavy haul load that requires the use of heavy haul trucking? Contact us to learn more.

December 20, 2019 | | Category: Heavy Haul

Why transporting Heavy Machinery should be left to experts

Every single day, thousands of pieces of equipment are moved from one site to another, in order to keep operations at these various sites moving along smoothly. It takes well-trained and knowledgeable professional workers to haul this equipment all across the country to where it needs to get. When some amateur tries to move this large equipment, it can spell disaster – mostly because untrained folks have no idea what they’re actually doing. Here are a couple of reasons why large machinery should ONLY be moved by professionals.

#1: Safety

These large pieces of machinery can weigh hundreds of thousands of pounds at times and when that is combined with a fast moving truck moving 60 MPH or faster down a highway, it creates a potentially catastrophic situation. Professionals know how to load this equipment safely and what to look out for when driving to avoid catastrophes. Unlike the pros, amateurs have no idea how to bolt this equipment down or what they need to watch for and are likely to follow the approach of “If it’s in the truck and I’m still driving then it’s fine” which is an approach that has disaster written all over it.

#2: Price

From a financial perspective, it does not make sense for a construction company or any other that makes use of this equipment to also own their own trucks or transport vehicles. The costs that result from having to hire their own drivers, pay for insurance fees and potentially deal with legal issues from accidents will far exceed what these companies would spend on simply hiring drivers from a company like Great Western Transportation to move their gear for them.

#3: Avoiding Damage

When hauling is relegated to unprofessional haulers, your equipment risks arriving at its destination with a number of dents and dings or worse. Your equipment costs a lot of money so it really benefits you to have your equipment transported by professionals who have significant prior experience moving heavy gear.

Virtually any businessman will tell you that hiring the right people for a job is a sound investment. If you need heavy equipment transported safely by experienced personnel, contact us today!

December 6, 2019 | | Category: General, Heavy Haul

Happy Thanksgiving 2019

The team at Great Western Transportation would like to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving 2019!

November 27, 2019 | | Category: General

Shipping Construction Equipment: What Options Do You Have?

Shipping construction equipment is a unique transport process that comes with its fair share of challenges. Almost all construction equipment is oversized, over-dimensional, and overweight to be transported by standard trucking.

This is why it is imperative to choose the right company to transport your construction equipment. And while an ideal transportation company should help you select the best-suited trailer for shipping your construction equipment, knowing what to expect comes in handy.

When shipping construction equipment, you have the following options in trailers:

i). Removable Gooseneck Trailer (RGN)

A detachable front characterizes a removable gooseneck trailer. When the front is detached, the trailer drops to the ground, thus creating a ramp. Construction equipment to be shipped should fit in the following dimensions:

Maximum weight – 100,000+ lbs
Well width – 8.5 ft
Legal height limit – 11.6 ft
Main deck length – 29 ft

ii). Double Drop Trailer

A double drop trailer has a lower deck height and a lower center of gravity. This is why it is the best option for shipping construction equipment that is very tall. A double drop trailer will have an upper deck in the front and back with the middle, often referred to as the “well,” dipping below the trailer axis. Construction equipment to be shipped should fit in the following dimensions:

Maximum weight – 45,000+ lbs
Legal height limit – 11.5ft
Well length – 29 ft
Front deck length – 10ft
Rear deck length – 9ft
Maximum width – 8.5 ft

iii). Step Deck Trailer

Step-deck trailers are characterized by two deck levels; the lower deck, which comes about after clearing of the tractor unit, and the upper deck. Ramps and forklifts mostly facilitate loading and unloading construction equipment on step deck trailers. Construction equipment to be shipped should fit in the following dimensions:

Maximum weight – 48,000+ lbs
Maximum width – 8.5 ft
Lower deck length – 37 ft
Upper deck length – 11 ft
Lower deck height – 10.5 ft
Upper deck height – 8.5 ft

iv). Standard Flatbed Trailer

The lack of sides and roof characterizes flatbed trailers. This makes it ideal for shipping construction equipment as loading and offloading is done from the top, sides, or behind. Construction equipment to be shipped should fit in the following dimensions:

Maximum weight – 48,000+ lbs
Maximum width – 8.5 ft
Maximum height – 8.5 ft
Maximum length – 53 ft

For whichever construction equipment you need transported, there is a suitable trailer available. And at Great Western Transportation, we will go the extra mile in ensuring your construction equipment is shipped safely and efficiently. To ship your construction equipment with the experts, contact us today.

November 22, 2019 | | Category: Flatbed, Heavy Haul

5 Reasons Transporting Heavy Machinery Should be Left to the Experts

Every day thousands of pieces of equipment are moved from job site to job site, in order to keep the world running smoothly. It takes well trained, knowledgeable professionals to haul this equipment all across the U.S.A. When amateurs attempt to move this large machinery, disasters can happen. Here are 5 reasons why large machinery should be transported by professional truck drivers.

Safety Large machinery can weigh hundreds of thousands of pounds, combine this with moving 60MPH+ down the highway, and disasters can happen really fast. Professional truck drivers know how to handle this weight safely and are always on the lookout for malfunctions to prevent catastrophic failures.
Costs It does not make financial sense for most construction, and other heavy machinery companies, to own their own trucks and trailer, as well as hiring drivers and paying for hefty insurance fees to haul their equipment. It makes much more financial sense to hire a professional company, such as Great Western Transportation, to move it for them.
Efficiency Anybody in business knows that time is money. It’s only common sense that a professional company that specializes in moving large machinery, will be able to transport your piece of heavy equipment faster and more efficient then an amateur can.
Avoiding Damage to Machinery With unprofessional haulers your machinery is at risk to dents and dings, or possibly worse. We know your machinery cost you a lot of money and that’s why Great Western Transportation treats every piece of equipment like it was our own.
Piece of Mind There is no better feeling than knowing your machinery is in safe, capable hands and will reach its destination without incident. This leaves you to keep your mind on more important things to your business. Instead of constantly worrying when, and if, your equipment will reach your destination, you can feel safe and assured it will be there when you need it the most.

Any smart business man will tell you, that hiring the right professionals to do a job is as important task as anything. If you need your heavy equipment transported by well-trained, experienced professionals, contact us at Great Western Transportation.

November 12, 2019 | | Category: Heavy Haul

Is Dry Freight Trucking For You?

When it comes to moving cargo across the USA and Canada, there are several trucking methods to select from. And at Great Western Transportation, we provide all of them. For freight that requires to be transported in a temperature-controlled enclosure to arrive at its destination in good condition, we recommend Refrigerated shipping as the best option.

For cargo that is not of the standard trailer size and that does not require enclosure when transporting our experts will advise on flatbed transportation as the most suitable. And for shipments that are too wide, too heavy or too tall to be accommodated by any other trucking option, our heavy haul trucking option will have you sorted.

But what about transporting cargo that comes in standard cargo size, that needs to be enclosed but does not require to be temperature-controlled? What freight transportation method should you be looking at? We suggest Dry Freight Trucking, and here is why:

Security

When it comes to transporting cargo, the guarantee that in the process of moving from point A to point B nothing will be lost or damaged is paramount. And with our dry shipping trucks fully equipped with chains, straps and load bars to secure and brace freight, we can guarantee the safety of your shipment against damage or theft.

Versatility

The list of cargo that can be accommodated and transported by our dry shipping trucks is extensive and limitless. From furniture collections, building materials to all forms of non-perishable foods, we can move them from one location to another anywhere in the USA and Canada.

Efficiency

With dry freight trucking, the hassle of loading and unloading cargo can sometimes be avoided. We make this possible through our drop and hook load mode of trailers for dry shipping. We simply drop our empty trailer and hook up your already loaded trailer. No need to unload from your trailer to load onto ours. This way we get on the road sooner and your cargo get to the destination in good time.

One last thing…

You don’t have to have a Full Truckload to outsource our dry freight trucking services; we handle Less than truckload (LTL) shipments too. Contact us today and have all your transportation needs addressed and get expert advice on the best trucking solution for your load.

November 6, 2019 | | Category: General, LTL