Oversized Load Transporting: Are You Prepared For The Risks?

Loading and unloading a large piece of machinery with transport equipment is a task in and of itself. However, the process of transporting the equipment is one for the record books. Transporting large and oversized equipment comes along with a variety of risks that the average person doesn't think of. Are you thinking about transporting an oversized load on your own? Here are some factors you want to think about beforehand.

Permit Requirements

Legally, you can't just attach a large piece of machinery to a flatbed and head out on your journey. There is a process that must take place, and a significant component of the process is obtaining clearance. Transporting an oversized load comes with serious safety hazards, so local transportation officials must be confident that you are equipped to handle these hazards. If you can't meet the qualifications, you won't be legally permitted to transport the load. 

Trailer Support

It's not enough to find a trailer that looks long or wide enough to accommodate the size of your equipment; you also need to think about weight. All trailers have a weight rating, which determines how much weight the trailer can support, including the tires. When a trailer's weight limit is exceeded, damage to the trailer can occur and the tires can fail. 

Route Considerations

An oversized load does not have free reign on the road. Many cities and communities put restrictions on large loads to prevent damage to vulnerable roadways. If you self-transport the oversized load, you need to be aware of all of these restrictions. Failure to adhere to these guidelines puts you and your equipment at risk as well as the other motorists you share the road with. You also face hefty fines if you're caught on a road you don't have permission to be on. 

Turning Concerns

A significant threat to oversized loads is rollover accidents. Rollover accidents most commonly occur when the driver of an oversized load is making a sharp turn at a high speed. As a result of these actions, one side of trailer lifts off the ground and causes the entire trailer to then roll over. Rollover accidents damage equipment and can lead to severe injuries. Special driving abilities are required to maneuver safely. 

Avoiding these risks is simple. You can hire a heavy equipment transportation service to handle the matter for you. Start the planning process early so that you can get quotes and find a company that you're completely comfortable with to handle your heavy equipment transportation services.


Share