The weight, size, and power of heavy equipment can put people at risk for a wide range of accidents. These can range from sprains to permanent disability or death.
Make, model, and serial number information are critical for carriers to know when shipping these loads. Shippers who neglect to provide this information see their shipments stall during transport.
1. Inventory
Inventory is all the supplies, parts, and materials a business uses to produce or sell its finished goods. It’s classified as a current asset on a company’s balance sheet. It is categorized into four types: raw materials, work-in-progress inventory, finished goods inventory, and components.
Raw materials inventory includes all the items a business uses to make its products, such as oil for shampoo or wood for furniture. It’s the most expansive of the four categories. Then comes work-in-progress inventory, which includes semi-finished products like the partially built airliner or yacht in an electronics factory. Finally, finished goods inventory consists of the completed ready-to-sell products that businesses sell to customers, like chocolate bars or pens.
The amount of inventory a company has and how it reacts to changes in market consumption can have a broad economic impact. Unsold inventory ties up cash and is expensive to store. Companies can minimize this cost by using forecasting and just-in-time production strategies, such as a JIT inventory system that aligns manufacturing schedules with suppliers’ deliveries.
Inventory management includes all the processes and procedures a business has in place to keep track of inventory, including purchasing and receiving supplies, storing them safely, counting and recording them, and transferring them from one location to another. It also involves managing and optimizing supplier relationships by reviewing performance, negotiating prices and lead times, and evaluating minimum order quantities.
Businesses in service industries tend to have a different definition of inventory. Instead of raw and finished goods, they focus on the steps, spaces, machines, and people involved in the services they provide. For example, a hotel’s inventories include the rooms and equipment in them, even if they’re vacant.
2. Preparation
Before loading and moving heavy equipment onto a trailer, inspecting it for damage or wear is important. This can be done with a thorough inspection by a team of trained professionals, and the results should be documented in detail. Taking high-quality time-stamped photographs is an excellent way to provide clear evidence of the condition of the equipment, which will come in handy if a dispute arises later on.
The next step in the preparation process involves mapping out a route for the equipment to follow. This is especially crucial for oversized cargo transport. A detailed and diligent mapping process can help ensure that the route is safe and free of obstacles for your truck and its load. For example, it can avoid any highway overpasses that are too short for the machinery, thereby keeping your driver, crew members, and passersby safe.
In addition to mapping out the transportation route, it is also helpful to set clear expectations with your staff about their duties on the day of the move. Assigning specific tasks to everyone involved in the moving process helps reduce misunderstandings and improve overall efficiency. It is also a good idea to schedule the heavy equipment moving process during the best weather, as sunny days tend to result in lower levels of risk and higher productivity.
Finally, if your facility uses multiple raw materials to make its products, it makes sense to site the plant closer to them. Bay area moving companies can help you move and place all the materials at an appropriate location. This will minimize the number of long-distance conveyor belts and reduce your carbon footprint. As a bonus, it can also cut production costs by allowing you to purchase raw materials in bulk and store them for future use.
3. Pickup
Depending on the size and weight of your equipment, you may need to get it from one location to another via truck or train. Having the right equipment for pickups can help make the process faster and safer. This is especially true when you are transporting something that is heavy and difficult to maneuver.
Whether you need to have your combine, bulldozer, or other heavy equipment picked up in a city or on an interstate, getting this done can seem daunting. Luckily, hundreds of freight shippers on Shiply are ready to simplify the journey with personalized, transparent quotes straight to your inbox. Plus, they are often up to 75% cheaper than standard quotes.
Generally, a pickup is any vehicle with an open rear cargo area (often called a bed) and a cabin with a front end separating the two. The chassis is typically made of tubular or channel frames, with the body built from sheet metal. The chassis is also commonly separated by a load-bearing center rail which can be a strength point on these vehicles. Similar vehicles include coupe utility trucks, usually car-based and referred to in Australia and New Zealand as utes or SUVs.
The main factors that affect shipping prices when it comes to picking up your equipment are distance and time of year. If your equipment is being transported to a remote area, then the company will likely charge more for their services as they will need to drive further to get there. The same is true for the time of year, as adverse weather conditions can close certain routes and make journeys longer.
4. Transport
For many businesses that depend on heavy equipment to get work done, there comes a time when it must be shipped from one location to another. The process can seem daunting at first, but it is actually much simpler and more affordable than it might appear.
Choosing the right mode of transport for your equipment is a crucial step in the process. Shipping companies will be able to advise you of the best route to take, depending on your location and how far you’re traveling.
Various modes of transport are available, including truck, rail, and air. Railroad shipping is often less expensive and faster than air freight but may require multiple transfers along the journey. Air shipping is fast and reliable but can be expensive due to high fuel costs.
Once you’ve determined the mode of transportation you want to use, it’s important to double-check state regulations regarding oversized shipment permits. Most states have different rules, and it’s best to work with a freight broker who is knowledgeable in over-dimensional shipping.
It’s also important to establish what type of trailer you’ll need for your machine. While most heavy equipment can be hauled on standard trailers, some machines are too large and will need a lowboy or other specialized trailer. This will likely affect the price of your shipment.
Before your heavy equipment is picked up, it’s a good idea to map out the routes your driver will need to travel. If possible, your team should plan to avoid any busy roads or highways that may be too narrow for the oversized load. This will help ensure your equipment makes it to its destination on time and with minimal stress.
5. Delivery
The delivery phase of the journey of heavy equipment through moving service involves getting it to its intended destination. This is where planning and preparation make all the difference. Before the truck arrives on-site, the ground will be stabilized, all handling equipment and tools accounted for, obstacles cleared, and securement systems inspected. This makes the loading process efficient and safe. It also prevents any unforeseen issues during the pickup phase.
The cost of this phase depends on a variety of factors. Your item’s size will impact pricing, as will whether it requires a special trailer or needs to be lifted on and off a flatbed truck. This can lead to extra permits and time, which will add to the overall price. The timing of the shipment will also influence prices, as shipments on demand can be more expensive than those that are part of a regular route.
Shipping heavy equipment can seem impossible, but with adequate planning and the right partners, it is quite straightforward. The freight companies on Shiply have extensive experience with this kind of shipment and can simplify the process by providing you with personalized, transparent quotes in minutes — often up to 75% cheaper than standard quotes.
