There are 9 Simple things you need to get together before you call your trucking company or broker to ensure they can give you the best help and most accurate price and provide you the best trouble free move. 

  1. Pickup Address: Sounds simple enough but VERIFY the pickup address, as many times machinery can ship from a different location, or even state, then the location of the seller.  Also know that adding a Rigger to the mix is important if your moving heavy weights that need to be loaded or unloaded by a professional. Many smaller machines and systems will not need a rigger as they are easily loaded by a small forklift located onsite. 
  2. Delivery Address: As important as ensuring the pickup address make sure your delivery address is correct especially street directions like; N. Patterson Ave vs just Patterson Ave. This can save valuable time and money if the truck heads to the wrong address. You can also provide a quick screenshot of a Google Map Directions to help your Trucking Company stay on the right path. 
  3. Meeting a Rigger at Loading? Riggers are sometimes necessary to load heavy equipment. When a Rigger is employed it's very important to note that their time is quite valuable (in the $350 p/hr + range). Therefore it's imperative that the truck be on time and ready to load when the riggers are. If you're using a rigger, ensure your trucking company is aware of that and is willing to guarantee the driver is onsite at the expected time. 
  4. Meeting a Rigger at Unloading? The very same precautions should be in place if you're using a Rigger to offload your new equipment and set it in place. Ensure the truck will arrive when you have the Rigger scheduled to be onsite in order to avoid costly fees awaiting a slow truck OR fees associated with a truck sitting idle awaiting a rigger to offload him. 
  5. Dimensions: Ensure you have proper dimensions of all pieces including pallets and crates that may be going with your load. By providing the proper dimensions you may be able to save money allowing the driver to position the load saving deck space on the truck for other loads (when shipping Partial Loads). Also be aware that there are limits to a trailer load weight as well as limits on the Height and Width. Once a load reaches a height of 9’ the trailer can no longer be a flatbed trailer but a step down type trailer (step-deck). Also anything under 8’6” wide is a legal load (dimensionally) with no permits required. Go over 8’6” wide and you will need permits added for each state the truck travels through. If the load width exceeds 11’ you will be adding escort drivers too.
  6. Number of Pieces: Ensure you have every item accounted for and described on the Bill of Lading to ensure all items are delivered. It is very easy for trucks delivering multiple loads off the same bed to miss one pallet of accessories or more. Your accurate count helps ensure all pieces make the whole trip at the same time.
  7. Description (Pallets/Crates/Loose): A proper description for each piece is also important in ensuring that everything purchased gets loaded AND gets delivered.  Describing a “Pallet of Controller and Cabling” is much better than describing a “Pallet of Accessories”  If an item is “Loose” describe the item in detail such as “Machine Tank and Table”
  8. Weights: Individual piece weights are as important as the total load weight as it helps again describe the item's shipping and allows for the driver to properly plan the load to balance out the truck. Also note that the maximum weight a non permitted carrier can load is 45,000 LBS. Although they can be permitted for larger loads the law requires if the load can be separated that the shipper do so into separate trucks so plan ahead should that be the case.
  9. Load Value: Most carriers in the US are insured for a maximum load value of 100K however you may purchase additional insurance to cover your load should it exceed that. Always list the value of your load on your Bill Of Lading when shipping machinery.

Keep in mind these 9 Simple Rules to make moving your machinery simple, safe and efficient.  Here is a quick checklist that you can use next time you're shipping a machine. 

  • Pickup Address:
  • Delivery Address: 
  • Meeting a Rigger at Loading? 
  • Meeting a Rigger at Unloading? 
  • Dimensions of all pieces 
  • Number of Pieces
  • Description (Pallets/Crates/Loose):
  • Weights 
  • Load Value

 

Please don't hesitate to call us at 813-444-4555 should you need assistance planning your machinery move. 

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