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

Meet Your Needs With Heavy Haul Trucking

At Great Western Transportation, we are not just a dependable and structured heavy hauler. Great Western Transportation can also provide the advice and heavy equipment transport you need to successfully move heavy equipment over short and long distances. It does not matter if you have plans to move heavy machinery, oversized cargo, or anything in the middle, we have the resources to precisely handle whatever you throw at us.

We have the ability to expand our reach globally, and this gives us the opportunity to fulfill all of your heavy haul trucking needs. One of our main goals is to partner with you and ensure you have a high level of success in an ever-changing and competitive market. Special attention will need to be given to heavy haul equipment that needs to be transported. Transporting this type of equipment can sometimes present multiple challenges.

With this in mind, heavy haul trucking will rely on the right transport services to move loads and materials from one location to another. When you have a clear understanding of the types of heavy haul equipment, you will have a higher chance of finding the best heavy haul trucking service that will be able to fulfill the specific needs and guidelines you need to meet.

When it comes to finding the transportation service to haul your equipment you will need to consider permits, routing, and the handling of the cargo and materials. The right heavy haul trucking service will be able to provide you with the ultimate solution you need. The heavy haul trucking service you need will have access to the resources you need when you need them. We specialize in heavy haul trucking, shipping construction equipment, transporting heavy machinery, and more.

Reach out to us today to find out how we can help.

April 22, 2020 | | Category: Heavy Haul

Power Only Trucking: Supplying The Power For Trailers

How can a trucking company consistently save money on various expenses? If you own a small carrier business, there is a really good chance that you have asked yourself that this is the first time you have heard or asked this question. The average cost of a truck and/or trailer repair and maintenance increases every year. While owners can ensure they incorporate various tactics, such as the following:

  • using safe drive practices
  • performing regular inspections of the truck/trailer
  • ensuring tires are properly rotated

While these tactics can certainly have an impact on maintenance and repair costs, these are not the only practices that can be used to help you save money. When you take time to look beyond the truck, trailer, and other equipment you use, you will be able to find additional ways to save money. When you want to ensure that your trailers are properly maintained, the cost of maintenance can certainly increase. This is why some carriers decide to use power-only trucking.

When you use power-only trucking, a truck and a driver will be hired to transport your trailer and the products to the intended destination. There are power only shipping services that will allow you to move your shipment to a destination in the same area, an extended distance, another state, or in international territory.

Some of the common uses for power-only trucking transport include the following:

  • using flatbed trailers to transport equipment
  • moving equipment on shipping containers
  • tanker trailers

You can choose the company and the drivers based on the type of equipment or goods you want to carry. Many drivers are typically chosen based on the level of experience they have in transporting a specific type of shipment. While the majority of cargo and equipment may be transported through company-owned trucks and trailers, there are transportation services that supply just the power for the trailer movements.

If you have been looking for a transportation service to move your trailers when a truck is not available, contact Great Western Transportation today.

April 14, 2020 | | Category: Power Only Trucking

Getting Ready To Transport Equipment With Heavy Haul Trucking

If you are planning to transport equipment with heavy haul trucking, you need to make the proper preparations.  Making the proper preparations will save you time and money.  It will also make it easier and less stressful to transport your equipment.

Here are several things to take care of before using heavy haul trucking:

Know your timeframe

Heavy haul trucking isn’t something you can do at the last minute.  Depending on the item that is being transported, you may need weeks or months to get everything ready.  As soon as you think you might need heavy haul trucking, you should start getting prepared.

Get the proper permits

When you are transporting large machinery, you will need to get permits.  You may need to get permits for every state, county, and municipality that your equipment will be transported through.

Getting permits may take several weeks and each permit will cost money.  Once you have determined the transportation route, you should apply for your permits as soon as possible.

Determine your equipment’s exact dimensions

You need to know your equipment’s exact dimensions before your equipment is transported.  The last thing you want is a piece of equipment getting stuck under a bridge.  To be certain, don’t rely on the manufacturer’s specifications.  Instead, measure it yourself and confirm your equipment’s exact dimensions.

Prepare your equipment for transportation 

Make sure you know how you are transporting your machinery.  Are you dissembling part or all of the machine to make it easier to transport?  The manufacturer of your equipment may also have tips on how to prepare your equipment for transportation.

Also, make sure to clean your equipment.  Equipment covered in dirt or mud adds weight and therefore will cost more to transport.  In addition, cleaning your equipment makes it safer to transport because it gets rid of any dirt or rocks that may fly off the equipment.

Need to send equipment with heavy haul trucking?  Contact us today!

If you need to ship equipment with heavy haul trucking, contact us today!  We can guide you through the process of shipping your equipment.

April 2, 2020 | | Category: Heavy Haul