Blog - Great Western Transporation

Heavy Haul Trucking: Preparation Is Key

There is a good chance that you are now aware of heavy haul trucking and its importance in the trucking industry. Heavy haul trucking takes on the responsibility of carrying large objects, and the majority of the time this involves transporting heavy machinery and any other overweight shipments. Heavy haul trucking often involves use the use large trucks with a variety of flatbed trailers.

At Great Western Transportation, we have always held our employees to the highest degree when it comes to safety standards. While other heavy haul transportation services also provide safety measures and guidelines when heavy haul trucking and transporting machinery, we like to believe that we take additional measures to ensure our employees and their equipment is safe.

While it may seem as if we are the only side that will benefit from the safety measures, it does benefit our customers as well. When working with a heavy haul company that goes the extra mile to keep their employees safe, it should give you a reassuring feeling that the company will also keep your equipment or machinery safe.

One of the first steps we take is proper preparation. If we fail to prepare before a transport, there can be major issues with the equipment you are transporting, the vehicle, and the person who is operating the truck. One of the key things we do in regard to preparation is making a list of the equipment that needs to be transported and secured.

It is important to have an understanding of the equipment and the route that needs to be taken in order to visualize the location on the map. Preparing and securing the cargo is essential to an easy and safe transport. Planning the route is important because not every area you enter will be lead to a safe and easy transport. It is important to consider the highways and roads before transporting equipment of any size.

July 31, 2020 | | Category: Heavy Haul

How Will You Ship Construction Equipment?

When you need to transport construction equipment of any kind, you will always want to make sure you do it the right way. You want your construction equipment to be delivered safely and delivered on time. We understand that the construction equipment you own, rent, lease, etc. are essential to your livelihood. It does not matter if you are transporting a tiller, crane, forklift, etc., we want to help you get ready for shipping.

Determine the Construction Equipment Measurements

In order to ensure your construction equipment receives the appropriate transportation service, you will need to know the measurements of your construction equipment. It is important to measure every inch of your machinery.

We know it can be easy to find the measurement specifications listed on the equipment’s manual, but measuring the dimensions yourself will give you a better chance of having a successful transport experience. Your equipment will need to meet certain dimension requirements in order to transport it safely.

Find the Appropriate Trailers

After you have determined the correct dimensions for your construction equipment, it will be time to choose the appropriate trailers needed to haul the equipment.

After you have obtained the correct dimensions, your transportation service provider will determine the best trailer that will be needed to move your machinery. Sometimes trailers can be too big for the equipment that you want to transport.

Prepare Your Equipment for Transport

Preparing your construction equipment for shipping will ensure there will be no hold-ups when the transportation service arrives. When you are fully prepared, you can expect a smoother shipping process.

One of the best things for you to do when you are ready for the transport process is to clean your construction equipment properly. You may be surprised at how much extra weight construction equipment can hold just from the extra dirt and mud that is stuck to it. It is safer to transport construction equipment that has been cleaned thoroughly.

The manual for the construction equipment should provide you with recommended instructions for preparing your equipment for transport. When you follow the recommended steps for shipping or transport, you will have a successful construction equipment transport process.

July 24, 2020 | | Category: Flatbed

Transport Your Equipment With Flatbed Trucking

It does not matter if you are looking for heavy haul transportation services or if you are considering a different type of shipping service, you have likely heard of the term “flatbed” numerous times. While you may have heard the term before, do you know what this type of service really is?

Flatbed trucking refers to a shipping method that is used to transport oversized loads or wide items from Point A to Point B. Flatbed trucks will generally fall under the category of heavy haulers. Flatbed trucks are often requested when the following type of equipment need to be moved:

Heavy machinery
Construction equipment
Time-sensitive equipment
Building supplies

The above equipment cannot be transported safely using traditional vehicles, but it can be transported safely using flatbed trucking due to the wide and flat surface on the truck. A flatbed truck will allow equipment and the other types of shipments to be loaded and unloaded with ease. There are multiple types of flatbed trucks, and the type of flatbed truck you will need will often depend on the size and weight of your shipments.

Whenever you are looking for a versatile shipping option for your heavy and time-sensitive shipments, flatbed trucking should be one of your top options. Since flatbed trucking does not require you to visit a loading dock, you will have the ability to load and unload shipments from any location. Also, since you can load a variety of things on the truck, you will not have to use multiple trucks or make multiple trips in order to complete one shipment.

If you have been searching for a shipping method for your construction equipment or other heavy haul needs, we would recommend asking about flatbed trucking. If you are interested in learning more about flatbed trucking and how it can be an answer to your problem, contact Great Western Transportation today.

July 16, 2020 | | Category: Flatbed, Heavy Haul

3 Myths About Shipping Construction Equipment

Heavy equipment like shovels, tractors, bulldozers, dump trucks are essential pieces for any major construction job. Ensuring this construction equipment arrives where it is supposed to be, on time, is not always an easy process.

While larger companies may have their own vehicles used to transport equipment, there are smaller companies that will not have the vehicles that are needed to transport the construction equipment. There will be many times when a lack of knowledge or a lack of experience in the shipping process can cause a variety of problems.

We want to dive into some construction equipment myths that we hear about in the industry.

Shipping Construction Equipment Is Not Safe

Many businesses are worried about shipping construction equipment because they feel it is unsafe. While they are very expensive pieces of equipment, experienced transportation services have the skills and knowledge that are needed to transport your construction equipment safely. If any business is worried about the safety of their construction equipment, you should not hesitate to ask the transportation service provider about the methods they use to transport the construction equipment.

Pricing Is Inconsistent

Shipping construction equipment does not have to be inconsistent if you are partnering with an experienced transportation service provider. If you discover that the shipping prices are inconsistent or unpredictable, it could be because the transportation service you are considering does not have enough experience to give you an accurate quote. It is important to make sure you hire the right provider for the job.

I Should Always Choose The Lowest Price Option

One of the common mistakes that many businesses make in regard to shipping construction equipment is choosing the lowest priced option because they do not feel it makes a difference. We understand you want to make money and save money so the cheapest shipping option would be something you would consider. However, choosing a transportation service provider because it is the lowest option may not result in the best services. If you are offered a low price to ship your construction equipment, this could result in you receiving low-quality services.

Great Western Transportation has the knowledge, skills, and resources to successfully transport your construction equipment from Point A to Point B. Contact us today for a quote or any questions you may have regarding shipping.

July 8, 2020 | | Category: Flatbed, Heavy Haul

3 Tips for Hiring the Best Heavy Haul Trucking Company

Hauling heavy equipment and large items is a job that should always be reserved for the best heavy haul trucking company your money can buy. Finding the best company for the job is not always easy, but our experienced team at Great Western Transportation has the knowledge and expertise required to guide you through the decision. Here are three tips that help you hire the best heavy haul trucking company for your shipping needs.

1. Read customer reviews

You can learn a lot about a company by searching for their history of customer reviews. Check for any complaints, testimonials, good reviews, or awards they have received in the past for any heavy haul trucking services they have provided. Remember, working with a bad or incompetent company can put your assets at risk, so it’s best to learn about a company through customer reviews so you can sort the good trucking companies from the bad ones.

2. Make sure they have the best tools to ship your equipment

Never hire a heavy haul trucking company unless you are sure they are capable of shipping your equipment. Tractors, bulldozers, cranes, loaders, and excavators are some of the most commonly used equipment tools for shipping. If you plan on shipping sand, dirt, or anything similar, you will probably need a dump truck for the job. Always make this one of the first things you do before hiring a heavy haul trucking company as it will save you from wasting your time (and a lot of money, too).

3. Proven track record

Besides having great customer reviews and the best equipment to ship your items, you should always choose a company with a proven track record of success. Companies with an extensive track record of successfully hauling their customer’s items from one location to another will have better knowledge and expertise of industry regulations and specialized shipping.

June 26, 2020 | | Category: Heavy Haul

Shipping Construction Equipment: Understanding The Process

The shortage of drivers in the industry, the constraints of truck capacities, safety issues, and the delivery restrictions or time window can all make it difficult for those in the construction industry. At Great Western Transportation, we take pride in being able to help businesses overcome these hurdles with an effective transportation network that will include professional drivers, the specialized handling of equipment, and innovative technology.

We understand how important it is to implement a strategy that will lead to greater productivity and greater efficiency. When you need to transport any type of equipment, we know that sometimes you have to meet tight deadline windows and on-demand needs.

It does not matter if you need to ship construction equipment to customers or if you need to move it to a specific location. Whatever your reasons are for shipping equipment, you should seriously consider using an experienced and professional transportation service.

You may face multiple challenges when it is time to move your construction equipment. Everyone who will be an active participant in the process will need to be aware of the steps that will need to be taken. A transportation service provider will provide you with the assistance you need to have a smooth and efficient process.

When you take a closer look at your past processes or strategies, you will discover you may have missed some critical steps in the past. There are several things that will need to go into consideration, from getting your equipment prepared for transportation to determining the best way to move the equipment.

As the construction and transportation landscapes become a little more challenging, you will need an effective solution that will guarantee the safe delivery of your construction equipment. We know that no two construction companies will be the same, especially when it comes to goals and needs. This is why we want to work with you to determine the best route for optimization.

June 17, 2020 | | Category: Flatbed, Heavy Haul

Tips for Safely Shipping Construction Equipment

The process of shipping construction equipment calls for attention to details. But, before transporting construction equipment, it is necessary to have a few things in check. Among them is getting the right transporters. Below are a few tips for safely shipping construction equipment.

Get a Reputable Transportation Company

Shipping heavy machinery is not a job for everyone. It calls for expertise, experience, and skills. Professional transporters will know what to do when loading the motor to the trailer, during transportation, and when offloading. A good transportation company has the ideal tools and equipment to carry out the shipping seamlessly.

Get the Right Dimensions of the Construction Equipment

Once you have settled on a particular shipping company, you will need to send the dimension of the equipment to the shipping company. With these details in check, the shipping company will know the kind of tools and equipment to have handy. When transporting bulky goods, it is necessary to have safety banners.

Get a Transportation Permit

Make sure you apply for the right state permit from the beginning. A transportation permit means that your cargo complies with all the necessary state regulations and federal routes.

Prepare the Shipment for Transportation

Although the company will ensure that the equipment to be transported is placed appropriately, the customer has to prepare the material. That ensures the machine does not get damaged during shipping.

The manual of the equipment always stipulates how the preparation should be done. There may be measures to be taken when carrying out the work. The owner should be cautious about following through the safety guidelines.

Get the Right Trailer

You need to get the right trailer ahead of planning your route and getting transportation permits. There are different kinds of trailers for different types of tasks. Some of the trailers often used include flatbed, extendable drop deck trailer, and lowboy trailer. Your transportation company will guide you to the ideal trailer, depending on your cargo.

The mentioned tips will help you safely ship your construction equipment. Feel free to contact us if you have any queries regarding shipping construction materials. Our team of professionals works around the clock to offer top-notch service.

May 11, 2020 | | Category: Flatbed, Heavy Haul

Dry Van Vs Flatbed: Which Option is Better for Your Freight Needs?

The dry van trailer and the flatbed trailer are the two most common trucking trailers used for freight delivery. However, choosing which option is best for your shipping needs is not always an easy task. Let’s take a look at some of the differences and benefits of choosing a dry van trailer and a flatbed trailer.

What are the differences?

Unlike flatbed trailers, dry van trailers are enclosed and make a perfect option for shipping sensitive cargo. Flatbed trailers are very versatile and offer many options for loading and unloading cargo. Flatbed trailers are also best for transporting oversized objects because of their open sides and back. However, dry van trailers are more commonly used because they are better at protecting goods from flying debris and they offer lift gates that make them easier to load and unload.

Why choose a dry van trailer?

Dry van trailers are enclosed semi-truck trailers with cargo units that are 53 feet long, 8.5 feet wide, and 13 feet tall. Dry van trailers are commonly used for shipping commercial goods such as furniture, electronics, food, beverages, clothing items, and household goods. Dry van trailers will enclose your freight on all four sides. This makes them the best option for protecting your items from possible damage from bad weather. Dry van trailers are better at accommodating loading docks and forklifts because of their height and lift gate features.

Why choose a flatbed trailer?

The flatbed trailer has open sides with no walls or ceilings. This makes the flatbed truck very versatile and allows you to load cargo in many different ways that would be impossible or inconvenient for a dry van trailer. Flatbed trailers are 48 feet long and approximately 102 inches wide. Unlike dry van trailers, flatbed trailers have a larger maximum hauling capacity and can haul oversized loads a lot easier.

Conclusion

Choosing which option is best for you comes down to the weight and type of freight you are shipping as well as conditions you will be traveling through. For example, if you are traveling through heavy wind, rain, snow, or anything else that can seriously damage your cargo, you should probably choose a dry van trailer. However, if you will be carrying an oversized load and need additional cargo space, then you should probably choose a flatbed trailer.

April 30, 2020 | | Category: Flatbed, Heavy Haul, LTL