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5 Things to Remember Before Transporting Heavy Machinery

No matter how careful you are, the equipment can get damaged if you don't get it from point A to point B safely. The first step to avoid damage when transporting heavy machinery is to make sure you've completed all of the steps in your pre-movement checklist.


1) Know the Dimensions of the Machinery


You should know the dimensions of the machinery, and more importantly, the dimensions of the equipment's shipping containers. Knowing the dimensions of the shipping containers is especially important, as they need to be "just shy" of the dimensions of the machinery while still having enough room to protect it.


When it comes to machinery handling and transport, every centimeter of extra space in the shipping container matters. If the container is too large, the extra space could be filled with air, which in turn will cause damage to the machinery inside.


If the shipping container is too small, the machinery can bang against the sides, causing it to break and sustain damage.


2) Conduct a Risk Assessment


Do not just jump into a transport without conducting a risk assessment. For example, if you are planning to transport the machinery on a trailer, find out if there are any low bridges along the route.


While conducting your risk assessment, you will also want to make sure the machinery is not over- or under-loaded. Over-loading the machinery can cause it to move around in the transport and cause damage to the machinery and, in some cases, other vehicles.


Under-loading the machinery, on the other hand, can put it at risk of losing balance and falling over.


3) Conduct a Vehicle Inspection


Do a thorough inspection of your truck and trailer. Do you see any damage to the interior or exterior? Any rust? If you do, you should get it checked out by a mechanic.


Most of the time, these issues can be easily fixed. For example, rust on the vehicle could be easily removed. However, if you don't take the time to fix them, you could be faced with more expensive and serious damage later on.


4) Load Machinery Safely


Do not just toss heavy machinery into the back of a truck or trailer. Ideally, when loading a truck or trailer, you want to create a "sort of" V-shaped layer of equipment.


If you are planning to transport a forklift, for example, place the forks in one corner, and place the base of the equipment on the floor of the trailer.


5) Ask for Help


Finally, and perhaps most importantly, you should never underestimate the value of asking for help. If you do not think you are going to be able to transport your machinery by yourself, ask for help.


In addition to asking for help from co-workers, you should also consult your insurance provider. They will be able to give you a list of reputable companies that specialized in machinery transport.


Conclusion


Machinery transport can get a little tricky. If you are not careful, you could end up with machinery that is damaged. Even if you do everything right, machinery can still get damaged. However, by following the steps we covered in this post, you should be well on your way to transporting heavy machinery without incurring any damage.


Find all of the resources to move heavy items with the help of Royal Services, LLC. We are one of the best equipment rental companies in Artesia that will help you operate forklifts and the like much easier. Get in touch with us today to learn more.


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