Heavy equipment moving: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What heavy equipment moving is

Heavy equipment moving hauls machinery such as tractors, excavators, skid steers and industrial gear on trailers, with tie-downs, escorts and permits when the load requires them. Loading and unloading are done with ramps, cranes or loaders, and the equipment is secured for the road.

Signs you need it

  • You are relocating a tractor, excavator or skid steer to a new job site or a new property
  • The machine is too heavy or too wide to drive on public roads without a trailer and a permit
  • The equipment needs to be loaded onto a lowboy or flatbed and secured against movement
  • The machine is tracked or has attachments that must be removed before transport
  • The site has no safe place to unload without a crane or a loader

What the pro does

  • Inspect the equipment, the weight and the dimensions, and confirm the trailer and tie-down plan
  • Check the route for height, width and weight restrictions, and plan any escort or permit needed
  • Remove attachments, blades and buckets that would exceed the load limits or the clearance
  • Load the machine on the trailer with ramps or a loader, centered and balanced over the axles
  • Secure the machine with chains and binders rated for the load, and check the tie-downs before leaving
  • Unload at the destination with a plan for the ground surface and the ramp angle

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Weight and dimensions of the equipment and any attachments
  • Trailer type needed, such as a lowboy or a flatbed, and the number of trips
  • Distance and route, including any escort vehicles or police escort requirements
  • Permits needed for an oversize or overweight load
  • Whether a crane or loader is needed at either end to load or unload
  • Time of day restrictions on the route and whether the move needs to happen overnight

What a written quote should spell out

  • The equipment, its weight and its dimensions, and the trailer type used
  • Who arranges and pays for permits, and which permits are included
  • Whether escorts are included, and what the escort covers
  • The loading and unloading method, including any crane or loader needed
  • Insurance coverage for the equipment and the load, and the claim process

Questions to ask before you hire

  • What permits does this load need, and who files them
  • Is the trailer rated for the weight, and how are the tie-downs rated
  • Do you remove attachments or move them separately
  • Will you provide an escort, and what does the escort cover
  • What insurance covers the machine while it is on the trailer
  • Can you load and unload without a crane, or do I need to book one

Red flags

  • A carrier that does not ask for the weight, the dimensions or the attachments before quoting
  • Tie-downs that are not rated for the load or are missing on some corners
  • No permit plan for an oversize load on public roads
  • A quote that leaves out loading and unloading equipment

What you can do yourself

You can note the machine make, weight and attachments, remove loose items from the cab and clear the loading area. Call a professional for the trailer, the tie-downs, the permits and the loading itself, since a machine that shifts on the road is a serious hazard to the driver and others.

Licenses and permits

Oversize and overweight loads on public roads are commonly subject to permits, and commercial carriers commonly need registration and a commercial license for the vehicle. Check with your state or local licensing agency and the transport authority for the routes you use before hauling.

Heavy equipment moving questions

Do I need a permit to haul a tractor on a trailer?

It depends on the width, height and weight of the combined load and the route. Ask the carrier to check the requirements for your specific route.

Who is responsible if the machine is damaged in transit?

This depends on the contract and the carrier's insurance. Ask for the carrier's coverage in writing before the load is secured, and take photos at loading and unloading.

Can I unload the equipment myself?

Only with the right ramps, a safe ground surface and a trained operator. Unloading a heavy machine on a slope or soft ground is a common cause of tip-overs and injuries.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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