Special Considerations When Transporting Any Heavy-Duty Equipment

Posted on: 11 May 2016

If you're having any heavy-duty equipment transported, whether that's a forklift or a large crane, you want to ensure you know everything involved with that transport and the overall safety and security of your equipment. It can be good to ask a few questions of the transport company so you can decide if you need to go above and beyond what they provide in order to protect your transport; note a few of those special considerations here.

1. Ask about maritime insurance

If your equipment will be transported overseas or on any type of water vessel, ask about the maritime insurance provided. Most transit companies will be required to provide some type of insurance for the items they transport, but you might be surprised to find that it's actually very minimal. Because ocean vessels often transport dozens and dozens of cargo containers, they may have a large insurance policy but it may only provide a small amount of coverage for each container. Ask about your coverage in particular and note if you should take out added insurance to protect your equipment.

2. Consider an escort vehicle

A transit company may be legally required to provide an escort vehicle, meaning a vehicle behind the truck itself, to warn other drivers of an oversized load or slow moving truck in front of them. However, if they're not legally obligated to provide this, you may want to consider it anyway. An escort vehicle can cut down on the risk of a collision with the truck carrying your cargo and protect you from that damage. Even if it's an added fee and not legally necessary, you might discuss the option of an escort vehicle and especially if your equipment will need to be transported on very busy roads where drivers might be distracted and more likely to cause a collision.

3. Ask about after hours transport

Another way to potentially protect your equipment from a collision or damage is by afterhours transport, or moving your equipment at night when roads are not as congested. This might mean paying an added fee but it can also mean being able to more readily avoid heavy traffic. In turn, your equipment is not only protected but you might be able to get it to its destination much more quickly as you'll avoid traffic congestion. Depending on your schedule and the risk of a collision with an oversized transport truck, consider an after hours transport when possible.

For more information about your options, contact a machinery transportation company.

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