Blog - Great Western Transporation

Big Load? Great Western Makes It No Big Deal

From moving heavy equipment to transporting boats, manufactured homes, and other large items which are too high, wide, or heavy for flatbed truck delivery, businesses are often left to deal with not only finding the right equipment to safely, and legally transport items which exceed specified dimensions and weights, but they must also obtain permits, plan out routes, and hire escorts, all while trying to take care of the daily tasks of their businesses. For the average business, Heavy Haul Trucking can be a costly, time-consuming enterprise.

Fortunately for the business owner, there’s Great Western Transportation. At Great Western Transportation, they take care of all of the logistical tasks, so that business owners and customers alike can rest easy knowing that their products and assets are being delivered by experienced equipment operators. Not only does Great Western Transportation ensure that the right equipment is used for optimal transport, but they also take care of all of the legal chores such as obtaining permits, escorts, and route surveys, freeing up the business owner to focus on their projects and customers instead of the logistical details.

If a piece of equipment is over 13’6″ high, and/or 8’6″ wide, special permits need to be obtained by each state it goes through. However, if the load fits within these dimensions, but exceeds 80,000 lbs, (which includes the shipment, and the equipment used for transport) permits are also required. Great Western’s experience in the field of obtaining permits saves the business owner the headache of going through the application process to obtain permits in one or multiple states.

Two other services offered by Great Western Transport for Heavy Haul Trucking are their route surveying and escort services. No one wants a house or piece of equipment damaged en route because no one took the time to make sure that it could fit through certain tunnels and other structures. Because Great Western Transport takes the time to carefully examine the routes the equipment will take, businesses and customers can fully expect their assets to arrive at their destination intact. Also, with their escort option in which an escort remains with the load from the moment the load is on the road until it safely reaches its destination, motorists are given ample warning of the large load coming their way, which ensures safety for motorist and transport alike.

So if you are a business owner who needs to move some heavy equipment, why stress about it when Great Western Transport can do it for you?

See Heavy Haul Trucking to find out how Great Western Transport can help you with your Heavy Hauling Needs.

June 21, 2019 | | Category: Heavy Haul

How Does Refrigerated Trucking Work Anyway?

Anyone who has needed to ship produce, flowers, film, or medical supplies over long distances has heard of refrigerated trucks. They are a huge part of our current economy, since temperature-sensitive items would have to stay local if we didn’t have them. But how do they work, exactly? Are they just really well insulated?

There are insulated trucks, as it happens, but those are a different type than the ones used for produce. Insulated trucks have their walls and doors made of steel, laminated hardwood, plastic, or other non-porous materials that don’t conduct heat easily. They may have block foam in the walls and doors to keep the temperature as constant as possible. The rear door might have troughs to allow anything that drips to drain away. These insulated trucks are useful for living plants, produce, and many types of medical supplies. However, there is less control over how cold the truck gets as there is no attached refrigeration unit.

refrigerated trucking shipping

A refrigerated truck has walls and doors made of the same sort of materials as the insulated truck. After all, you don’t want to make the refrigeration unit to work just to lose all that cold air to the outside. The floor might have thin grooves, about 5 cm wide, built into it so that the cold air can circulate under the refrigerated items. The big difference is of course the refrigeration unit that is connected to the truck. This might be placed directly behind the driver’s cabin to allow folks to stack their items to the ceiling, but other trucks will have the refrigeration unit on the ceiling of the truck for convenience and safety.

These refrigeration units are sometimes connected to alarms and tracking systems. The tracking systems will give a detailed report of the interior temperature within the truck, and the alarm lets the driver know if the truck has gotten warmer than allowed. The driver can then return the truck to the prescribed temperature.

Here at Great Western Transportation, we have Less-Than-Load and Full-load refrigerated trucks, and many of them let you specify what temperature your products are kept at for the trip. If you would like any more information about refrigerated trucks and shipping, please contact us.

June 12, 2019 | | Category: Refrigerated Trucking

How to Ship Construction Equipment Safely

There are many steps taken when shipping construction equipment which will make the process much more comfortable. Transporting heavy equipment such as bulldozers, tractors, or cranes require persons with experience and expertise. What do you need to know?

Determine the equipment dimensions – measure the width, height, and length of the equipment. To know the weight of the machinery, read the user manual to see the indicated weight, add the weight of any attachments to get the exact weight.

Select transportation trailer – using the obtained dimensions, select a suitable trailer considering factors such as loading and offloading, parts that need dismantling and the size of the cargo. The trailer should not be too small or too big for the equipment.

Check the manual – You may have the manual, or you can check it on the manufacturer’s website. The manual will show valuable information such as; disconnecting batteries, loose parts that need to be secured, latching doors closing and emptying any engine fluids.

Cover vulnerable parts – To ensure your equipment doesn’t get damaged, cover some sensitive parts due to factors such as weather conditions. Too much cold can destroy the equipment’s fuel tanks. Cover fuel tanks to prevent dust or debris from damaging the exhaustion systems.

Obtain the necessary permits – different states have guidelines of how to secure and transport heavy equipment. You will need to obtain a transportation permit for oversize and overweight items.

Pick-up and drop-off – to load and offload the equipment, you will need an open area large enough for doing the exercise. You are also required to have cranes, ramps, or loading docks. Here is some other information you should know;

Client hours of operation
Contact information
Loading area dimensions
Delivery and removal policies

If you are planning to buy and transport heavy machinery, contact us to get a free shipping quote and estimates.

June 7, 2019 | | Category: Flatbed, Heavy Haul

How Power Only Trucking is Shaping the Future of Hauling

If you’re looking for a trucking trailer, one of the functions you consider is storage. Often, not many trucking companies will allow you the convenience of having their dry vans without you having to pay for the idle time. To solve this problem, Power-only Shipping is a growing trend that aims at changing the existing landscape for haulers.

What is Power-Shipping

In the trucking industry, the term Power-only shipping refers to the use of an independent driver or logistics firm’s tractor to move a trailer that you have either leased or purchased. Mostly, logistic companies operate a larger volume of containers as compared to tractors, and in using power-only shipping, they lessen the burden of work. In the same way, they can extend the same efficiency to your existing logistical assets.

Power Only Trucking

How Does Power Hauling Operate

Some trailer designs have in mind the idea of remaining in one location for longer timespans. Should you happen to own one of these, power-only shipping will come in handy when you inevitably need transport. Some relevant examples include:

Job sites, for both office and equipment storage needs
Heavy equipment/specialized hardware that is periodically moved
Exhibits and promotions trailers
Disaster relief or running mobile operation centers

In all the above cases, a full-time trailer is necessary. However, dedicating a tractor, in the same way, will only prove to add unnecessary costs. First, the cost of retaining a driver alone will turn out to be exorbitant, let alone the cost of purchasing and servicing the tractor. For that matter, power-only shipping is a prudent option whenever you require it.

As you can see, logistics firms continue to diversify their services, availing drivers who at the time might not have any other engagement and are willing to haul your trailer. Should you choose to use a specialized power-only hauler service, you will undoubtedly find a certified driver and tractor fitting your specific type of load.

June 3, 2019 | | Category: Power Only Trucking

How Can Flatbed Trucking Enhance Your Business Transport

Today, flatbed trucks are dominating the highways and are the leaders in transport. For the driver, the flatbed industry pays more than other truck driving jobs. A flatbed truck has a flat load carrying area and can be articulated or rigid. It has a completely flat level body with no roof or sides as defined by Wikipedia. Flatbed trucks can be used in many areas including:

construction
manufacturing
big projects

There are unique specifications associated with the operation of a flatbed truck and they are a key element in fleet operation. Learn more details on why flatbed trucks are used.

What Are The Functions Of A Flatbed Truck

Flatbed Shipping. What is flatbed shipping? Flatbed shipping doesn’t fit in the dimensions of regular shipping options. Flatbed shipping doesn’t require a closed space or need to be loaded/unloaded from a dock. Many businesses use a flatbed for moving construction equipment, time sensitive shipments, and big projects.

What are the benefits of flatbeds? Flatbeds give customers the benefits of multi-directional loading options. Customers are not limited to loading or unloading their cargo in the front, back, or a particular side. More importantly, you have the opportunity to ship large cargo without the limitations of boundary walls.

Why GW Trans Flatbed Trucking Stands Superior

Great Western Transportation is prepared to answer all of your questions about flatbed shipping. We understand the efficiency of any loading and shipping project to ensure your operation is successful each and every time. Our customers know they can rely on GW Trans for a safe and secure transport to and from their destination. We have access to step decks, flatbed LTL, and other more commonly used flatbeds. Remember, when you want to get to point A to point B, Great Western Transportation is only a call away.

Supplemental Resources:

May 31, 2019 | | Category: Flatbed

How Shipping a Bulldozer Works

Many people who see a large bulldozer on a construction site ask themselves, how do they get that from one job to another? Well, it’s not easy, but professional haulers like Great Western Transportation make it look it.

Bulldozers can range from 5 ton to over 70 ton. Depending on the size of the dozer, different options are available in shipping it.

Generally, large equipment like bulldozers are shipped overland on a flatbed, stepdeck or lowboy trailer. There are other ways of hauling large equipment, such as by air, train or water, but those aren’t as cost effective as with a flatbed, stepdeck or lowboy trailer and can be downright impossible sometimes.

Bulldozers are often moved across the country, whether from job to job or from one owner to the next. Dozers keep the country running and in order to move them a lot of effort is sometimes required. The majority are slow moving and run on steel tracks making road travel with them impossible and illegal, so even short trips over the road require large trucks to move them.

Due to their large size some bulldozers require an oversized load permit. An oversized load is defined as any load more than 8.5 feet wide is, and with few exceptions will require a state permit to travel on public highways. The weight of a bulldozer can also often times exceed many truckers legal ability, so make sure you find a trucker who can legally and safely haul your dozer.

If you are looking to have your bulldozer hauled, it is best to get accurate dimensions of it in order to get an appropriate quote. Also, make sure the equipment is working properly and functions as it should, so that it can be moved quickly and safely on and off the trailer.

If you need your bulldozer or any other piece of equipment shipped and would like a quote or information contact us at Great Western Transportation!

May 30, 2019 | | Category: Flatbed, Heavy Haul

We Are In The Middle Of Another Trucking Season

Many transportation services can easily separate the months of the year into different trucking or shipping seasons. When transportation services first begin in the industry, everyone is usually jumping in pretty quickly and learning things as they go along. However, it does not take long for everyone in the trucking industry to identify what times of the year are the busiest and what times are slower than usual.

Customers are constantly contacting transportation services to look for trucks at different times of the year, and there are times when transportation services are experiencing a heavy flow of customers. There will be good seasons and bad seasons, but we can always separate shipping and trucking into different seasons.

The beginning of the year is typically a slow season and it can be referred to as the quiet season. As the third month of the year comes to a close, customers are looking to find a transportation service that provides the type of truck they need to transport their equipment or goods. As the summer approaches, the transportation needs begin to increase and it will remain that way throughout the summer. During the final months of the year, businesses are rushing to get their products on the shelves before the holidays and things become quiet again as the holidays come and go.

Right now, we are in the middle of spring and summer is approaching. The load volume is increasing as products are being moved and transportation services are needed. Product harvest season is here and customers are looking for transportation services that can transport their goods in a safe and timely manner. Transportation services offer an outstanding value that many people do not realize until they need a transportation service.

Have you run into a transportation issue in the past that you want to avoid this season? Great Western Transportation can provide the transportation service you need to manage your freight.

May 23, 2019 | | Category: Flatbed, General, Heavy Haul

Weigh In On The Facts Of Transporting Heavy Machinery

Transporting heavy machinery requires the help of a professional to protect your equipment and to protect you from the liability of losing control of your equipment during transport. Oversize and overweight shipments are very common in the construction and manufacturing industry. Transportation efforts for heavy machinery have different needs. More importantly, heavy transport require unique permits and specified transporting criteria. The goal of a professional transporting company is keeping you and your equipment safe and under the required safety regulations.

What Is The Process Of Transporting Heavy Machinery

Heavy machinery must first be prepared for transport. Companies are expected to prepare for the transport process with the proper documentation and by preparing the cargo. The United States classifies a superload as a truck tractor with an attached trailer that includes an overweight or over dimensional load. Superstructures that are particularly heavy require the most attention for safe transport. It’s very important that the company you choose have specific knowledge of the heavy transport industry. In fact, heavy transport may also require oversize cars and specialized freight carriers that require a unique driving permit. There are numerous options for heavy machinery transportation.

Why Customers Choose Great Western Transportation

Great Western Transportation takes pride in transporting your heavy machinery across town or across the country. When you’re transporting monstrous machinery down the road, you expect a professional transportation company that you can trust. We specialize in quality drivers that are able to get your machinery from point A to point B hassle-free.

Our specialty in transporting includes:

agricultural machinery
construction machinery
over dimensional machinery
heavy haul equipment
specialized equipment

Great Western Transport is your complete trucking service. GW Trans will coordinate the logistics for the most complex shipment that your company may need delivered. You’re encouraged to contact us at Great Western Transportation for cost competitive, safe, and the timely transport of your heavy machinery and equipment today.

May 21, 2019 | | Category: Heavy Haul