What You Need To Know About Construction Equipment Shipping

Some construction jobs require you to move heavy equipment from one place to another. And unfortunately, you can’t just drive an excavator down Main Street at all hours of the day. So, you’ll need a hauling service to get your equipment where it needs to go.

Hauling construction equipment requires a lot of proper planning ahead of time. It’s not as simple as driving a bulldozer up a ramp, throwing a few chains around it, and going about your business. Some of your necessary preparations include:

  • Know how to measure the height, width, and weight of your equipment. This is important to know in order to use the correct hauling method and equipment.
  • Be familiar with laws governing interstate travel for oversized loads. Some construction equipment is heavy enough that special precautions have to be taken in regard to where you travel with it in order to avoid damage to roads. Certain states require the use of an escort vehicle or ‘pilot car’ to accompany loads above a specific size or weight. Also be aware that some regulations state you can only haul at certain times of the day, so make sure your schedule lines up with these regulations.
  • Plan your route ahead of time, and go through an actual on-the-road run-through of your route. There are dozens of stories and videos showing the worst-case-scenarios of a truck hauling a tall load under a low overpass, or a truck stalling out on a steep hill and losing control or flipping over. The fewer stops, turns, low bridges, or difficult terrain, the better.
  • Acquire any necessary permits for shipping your equipment. This is especially important if you’re shipping internationally.

Most construction equipment needs to be hauled on open-air flatbed trailers. There are a wide variety of these trailers available for hauling different sizes and weights. So, be sure to familiarize yourself with the types of trailers used for hauling heavy loads and construction equipment.

Hauling construction equipment is a big and sometimes complex job, so finding a company to help you with your heavy hauling needs is extremely important. Fortunately, the professionals at Great Western Transportation are here with the knowledge and access to the right equipment to get the job done. If you have any questions or would like a quote, contact us today.

April 8, 2021 | | Category: Flatbed, Heavy Haul

Carefully Shipping Construction Equipment

Shipping construction equipment requires careful attention and specific expertise. You cannot connect the construction equipment to any vehicle and transport it from Point A to Point B. While transporting construction equipment, you will come across different roads that have their own traffic laws, rules, and regulations that will need to be followed.

If you need to transport a load that is wide and/or heavy, you may have to find another route. Due to the various circumstances and requirements, transporting construction equipment or any other type of heavy equipment may be a long ride. Transporting construction equipment will take a significant amount of effort, and it is important to ensure everything is in order.

If you need to ship construction equipment, we encourage you to find an experienced transportation service that will ensure your construction equipment reaches its destination. Shipping this type of equipment will require the skills and expertise that a transportation service will have, especially when it comes to route planning, licensing, insurance, loading, unloading, etc.

The majority of construction equipment will need to be transported via the flatbed trucking method. There has to be a significant amount of planning and thoughtful logistics that will go into successfully transporting construction equipment. You can make things easier on yourself by partnering with a transportation service like Great Western Transportation to handle the shipping of your construction equipment.

We understand how overwhelming the shipping process can be when it comes to heavy construction equipment. This type of equipment can also very dangerous to ship if you do not have a solid plan in place. Excavators, bulldozers, backhoes, tractors, etc. are all used in construction, and they will all need to be carefully shipped.

What type of construction equipment do you need to be shipped to or from a job site? Great Western Transportation is a service that can fulfill your needs.

March 16, 2021 | | Category: Flatbed, Heavy Haul

Finding A Transportation Service To Fulfill Your Flatbed Trucking Needs

There is a long list of factors you will need to consider when hiring a professional transportation service for your flatbed trucking needs. One of the most important things you will need to do is identify at least three transportation services that can fulfill your flatbed trucking needs.

When you have at least three transportation services to choose from, you will have the opportunity to make the comparisons you need as far as the type of services, the areas of specialization, the years of experience, pricing, and more. It is important to perform thorough research before making a final decision. When you conduct your own research and you do not base your decision solely on reviews and feedback, you will be able to compare the aspects that are most important.

When you do not conduct the proper research, it can be very easy for you to overlook some of the most important factors that could cost you a significant amount of money. Failing to properly research multiple transportation services before making a decision, you could put your business at risk of losing your customers and possibly hurting your current reputation.

We encourage you to find transportation services that have a mission and objectives that align with the goals of your business. You will have different transportation needs as the year goes on, and it is important to choose a transportation service that has the experience and the expertise to fulfill your needs.

While reviews, feedback, and recommendations can be accepted, you should never base your decision on only the information that has been provided to you from others. Before you choose a transportation service to fulfill your flatbed trucking needs, we encourage you to spend some time asking the proper questions and verifying that the transportation service will be able to meet your needs.

If you are looking for a transportation service to fulfill your needs, contact Great Western Transportation today.

February 15, 2021 | | Category: Flatbed

Heavy Haul Trucking: Shipping In The Winter

Winter is here, and this season is often a hard reality for many to face in the shipping industry. Winter always bring a variety of uncertainties, along with hazards and threats, such as unstable road conditions and colder temperatures.

Unfortunately, unstable road conditions and unstable weather-related conditions can lead to shipping delays, lost packages, poor packaging, and major shortages. One of the most important things to do during this season is the fully prepare ahead of time. When you are properly prepared, you can avoid running into major obstacles that will hurt the transportation process.

If you truly want to prepare for shipments this season, we encourage you to gain a full understanding of your products and how the products will react in the cold. There are certain temperatures that can lead to damaged goods, especially if the products you are shipping are food products or chemical products.

Another important factor you should consider is the timing of your shipments. As mentioned previously, road conditions can have a major impact on your shipments. Poor road conditions, heavy traffic, and road closures can all have a negative impact on the timing of your shipments.

While we know you cannot prevent some delays, you can take steps to ensure you give your shipments a better chance of being delivered on time.

Regardless of how you prepare, winter will always be filled with surprises. We want you to avoid as many delays and threats as you can. When you work with an experienced transportation service provider, you can significantly reduce your chances of having your shipments delayed. The cold season will always be a challenging time for those in the shipping industry.

At Great Western Transportation, we want to help you navigate this difficult season. Contact us today for more information on how we can help you have a smoother transition this season.

February 8, 2021 | | Category: Heavy Haul

Flatbed Trucking vs. Hot Shot Trucking: Is Flatbed Trucking Right For You?

Flatbed trucking and hot shot trucking are both used to move various goods from Point A to Point B, but there are not many other similarities between the two. If one had to choose between flatbed trucking and hot shot trucking, the odds will fall in favor of flatbed trucking. If you perform an online search inquiring about flatbed trucking transportation services, you will be sure to find a service in your area.

However, it is critically important to choose the flatbed trucking transportation service that will serve your needs. Flatbed trucking services have incredible advantages over hot shot trucking services. With so many options on the table, we understand how difficult it can be to choose the right service for your needs.

A hot shot trucking service uses personal vehicles from drivers to move your goods. Hot shot transportation services will generally use trucks and vans to transport your goods. Hot shot trucking services are growing because of the ease of use and the quick shipments. For those who have a strict deadline for their goods, hot shot trucking is a preferred option for many.

However, there are many reasons why flatbed trucking services have proven to be more beneficial and effective. When you make the decision to use flatbed trucking services, you will partner with a service that can safely move your cargo, regardless of the size. Flatbed trucking services have the ability to handle heavy and oversized freight.

When using flatbed trucking services, you will not have to worry about not having enough space for your large freight. Although hot shot trucking services will use trucks and vans, there will generally not be enough room to handle your freight every time, especially during the peak shipping seasons  When you choose flatbed trucking services, the size of your freight will not be a problem.

When you have to move shipments that cannot be safely transported using hot shot trucking, you will need to find a trucking service that will be able to fulfill your shipping requirements. Flatbed trucking services can easily accommodate items that cannot be moved using other trucking methods.

For more information on flatbed trucking services, give Great Western Transportation a call today at 1-800-972-8484.

January 26, 2021 | | Category: Flatbed

What Is Power-Only Trucking?

When you see a loaded truck on a major highway, you may not realize that two sides of the truck could be owned by different companies in different industries. When this is the case, this type of transportation method is known as power-only trucking. When the power-only trucking transportation method is used, the company that owns the trailer will hire the driver and the tractor from another company.

Power-only trucking is one of the most cost-effective and cost-efficient transportation methods for companies that need to store their products on trailers for a significant period of time, with occasional shipping along the way. The company that supplies the tractor and the driver is known in the trucking industry as the carrier. The company that provides the cargo and the trailer is known in the transportation industry as the shipper.

Power-only trucking provides a variety of benefits to shippers, including the following:

  • Increased productivity
  • Increased speed
  • Greater flexibility
  • Greater efficiency
  • Driver satisfaction

Power only trucking will give shippers the opportunity and flexibility they need to place more attention on their cargo. We understand how difficult it can be to concentrate on your shipments when you are focusing on other aspects of the shipping process, such as the packing and the logistics.

This is why the power-only trucking shipping method is one of the most popular methods to transport goods and equipment across the country, regardless if it is across state borders or international borders.

Power only trucking will also allow shippers to avoid hiring additional contractors or bringing in an additional fleet of tractors in order to successfully transport the goods. Using power only trucking will also give shippers the freedom to choose the right transportation service for their specific needs.

In the transportation industry, there is no one-size-fits-all shipping method. The power-only trucking shipping method can be used to fit your unique needs when you need to move equipment in or on the following:

  • Flatbed trailers
  • Dry freight trailers
  • Containers
  • Refrigerated vans
  • Tanker trailers

The power-only trucking transportation process will not be constrained by how many tractors or trailers you own or how many truck drivers are available to transport your shipments.

The power-only trucking process can also make it easier to transport any goods or freight across state borders and international borders. It is important to choose a transportation service that fits your needs and provides you with the updates you need on the progress of the trailer as it goes from Point A to Point B.

Great Western Transportation is a transportation service that can solve your transportation challenges. If you have any questions about using a transportation service, contact us today. We serve a range of customers in a variety of industries. Our team has the knowledge and skills that are needed to fulfill your needs, whatever they may be.

December 8, 2020 | | Category: Power Only Trucking

When Is A Shipment Heavy Haul?

What factors will make a shipment oversized or heavy haul? A load that needs to be transported will be considered a heavy haul if it goes beyond the state’s legal dimensions limit. The overall length requirements will vary by state. However, a load that goes beyond the 8’6 (2.59 meters)” will require a permit. Permits can be acquired at the state level.

One of the key differences between regular shipments and heavy haul shipments is that the heavy haul shipments will require the permit before the transport process can begin. There are different types of permits that can be acquired. Acquiring specialized equipment will be dependent on the height, width, weight, and length of the equipment.

Freight that generally qualifies as heavy haul will include the following:

  • Industrial equipment
  • Building elements
  • Large shipping containers
  • Heavy machinery
  • Pre-built homes

Heavy haul freight will generally cost a significant amount more for a variety of reasons. One of the main reasons that heavy haul freight cost more than other freight is because of the need for permits. Sometimes the permits can be costly depending on how oversized the load is, and this could result in additional fees throughout the remainder of the process. Also, it is important to remember that a permit will need to be purchased for each state that the heavy haul freight will have to go through before it reaches its final destination.

We understand it can be difficult to sort through the logistics regarding heavy haul trucking, especially when permits and state limitations are involved. When a load has to go through more than one state, this can definitely complicate the process and make things more confusing. Transportation services that specialize in heavy haul trucking, flatbed trucking, and other overweight shipments will have the skills and expertise you need to help you determine the best course of action.

November 20, 2020 | | Category: Heavy Haul

Transporting Time-Sensitive Freight

For some shippers, transportation methods that can deliver time-sensitive shipments is important. Freight shipments that are time-sensitive or expedited will generally have a short shelf-life. Sometimes equipment can also fall under time-sensitive transportation. In order for you to have the best experience while using time-sensitive transportation methods, it is important to have an understanding of the methods you are considering.

Choosing carriers that are qualified and experienced will be critical for time-sensitive goods and equipment. However, the process of finding the best transportation carriers can be met with a variety of obstacles. There are several things you should pay attention to during the process, including the following:

  • communication
  • percentage of claims that have been filed
  • types of services provided
  • percentage of on-time deliveries

When you search for rates and carriers ahead of time, you will increase your odds of finding a carrier that can fulfill your needs. However, we do understand that sometimes you will not have a significant amount of time to research transportation services because sometimes time-sensitive shipments are created in a short time frame.

When you work with a transportation provider, you will have a better chance to save money and time. Transportation services will have their own network of resources that can help match you with the service you need. There are also transportation services that will handle the shipment documentation throughout the process.

Working with an experienced transportation service provider can save you a significant amount of money in the long run because you will not be expected to pay high rates. When you need to ship time-sensitive products or equipment, it is important to find a provider who can meet the demands that have been established.

Ultimately, your business needs will determine when you should use a transportation service provider that can deliver your time-sensitive freight over the road.

November 9, 2020 | | Category: Flatbed