How to Ship Heavy Construction Equipment

Step 1: Know Your Load — Dimensions and Weight

Before you call a broker or carrier, you need accurate numbers. Most equipment shipping problems — wrong trailer, surprise permit costs, last-minute delays — trace back to inaccurate measurements at the quoting stage.

Get these four numbers for your equipment in transport configuration (not operating configuration):

• Overall length — from the rearmost point to the front, including any attachments secured to the load
• Width — at the widest point, including tracks, wheels, or any protruding components
• Height — from the ground to the highest point when loaded on the trailer (add the trailer deck height)
• Weight — operating weight from the manufacturer spec sheet, or have it weighed on a certified scale

Federal Dimension and Weight Thresholds

These are the federal limits that apply on interstate highways. Exceeding any of these without permits is illegal in all 48 states:

Step 2: Choose the Right Trailer Type

Matching your equipment to the right trailer type is the single most important logistics decision you'll make. The wrong trailer means the equipment won't fit, permits won't be issued correctly, or you'll pay for unnecessary capacity.

The RGN Explained — When Your Equipment Has to Drive On

RGN stands for Removable Gooseneck. The front section of the trailer — the gooseneck — physically detaches, dropping the front to ground level and creating a loading ramp. This is essential for any equipment that:

• Has tracks or rubber tires and cannot be lifted by crane
• Is too heavy or awkward to crane safely onto a standard deck
• Needs to drive off at the destination without crane equipment present

Most tracked construction equipment — excavators, bulldozers, pile driving rigs, ABI Mobilrams, Bauer BG-series drill rigs, Liebherr LRBs — ships on RGN trailers. The broker arranges the right axle configuration based on weight distribution requirements.

When You Need Multi-Axle Heavy Haul

If your equipment weighs more than 80,000 lbs gross, you need more axles to spread weight and stay within per-axle limits. Here's the rough math:

• 9-axle: up to approximately 130,000–150,000 lbs gross
• 11-axle: up to approximately 160,000–200,000 lbs gross
• 13-axle: up to approximately 200,000–250,000+ lbs gross

Above approximately 200,000 lbs, loads are classified as superloads in most states and require additional engineering review, bridge analysis, and longer permit lead times.

Step 3: Oversize and Overweight Permits

Oversize and overweight (OS/OW) permits are issued by individual states — which means a load crossing six states needs six separate permits. Each state has its own rules on routing, travel times, and escort requirements. Managing this is one of the core things a good freight broker handles for you.

Types of Permits

• Single-trip oversize permit: The most common. Issued for one move in one state. Required when any dimension exceeds legal limits.
• Overweight permit: Required when gross weight exceeds 80,000 lbs or any axle limit is exceeded. Often obtained alongside an oversize permit.
• Superload permit: Applies to extremely heavy loads — typically 150,000 to 200,000+ lbs depending on the state. Requires route surveys, bridge engineering analysis, and in some cases a state police escort. Lead times of 1–3 weeks are common.
• Annual or blanket permits: Available in some states for repeat trips in the same lane. Cost-effective for companies moving the same equipment type regularly.

Pilot Cars and Escorts

Pilot cars — the escort vehicles that travel ahead of or behind oversize loads — are required under specific conditions that vary by state. Common thresholds:

• Width over 12 feet: Usually requires one pilot car ahead
• Width over 14 feet 6 inches: Typically requires pilot cars front and rear
• Superloads: Require multiple pilot cars and often law enforcement escorts
• Night travel restrictions: Many states restrict OS/OW loads to daylight hours only; some restrict weekend travel

Your freight broker should handle pilot car coordination as part of the move. Reputable brokers include this in the quote rather than billing it as a surprise after the fact.

Permit Lead Times

Step 4: Preparing Your Equipment for Transport

Improperly prepared equipment causes damaged loads, failed DOT inspections, and liability disputes. Here's what to do before your carrier arrives:

• Retract all booms, masts, and arms to their minimum transport configuration
• Fold or remove any protruding attachments — buckets, augers, clamshell units — if they add to width or height
• Secure all moving parts — booms pinned, counterweights locked, turntable secured if applicable
• Check fluid levels: Some states restrict transport of equipment with certain fluids above specified levels. Drain fuel to 50% or less for very heavy loads to reduce weight
• Remove loose items — tools, rigging, chains, mats — from the equipment cab and deck
• Clean mud and debris from tracks and undercarriage. Several states require this by law; others issue fines for debris left on highways
• Disconnect the battery or confirm the ignition is locked out
• Document the equipment condition with photos on all four sides before loading. This protects you in the event of any transport claim
• Confirm whether the equipment is self-propelled and whether it can drive onto an RGN, or whether a crane is required for loading

Step 5: Getting Quotes and Choosing a Broker

Once you have your dimensions, weight, origin, destination, and date needed, you're ready to get quotes. Here's what to have ready:

• Origin address (including site access notes — low bridges, weight-restricted roads, unpaved access)
• Destination address (same notes)
• Equipment make, model, and year
• Transport dimensions: length × width × height
• Operating weight (from spec sheet) or certified scale weight
• Whether equipment is self-propelled or needs crane loading
• Date needed (or date range)
• Any known constraints (weekend blackout, nighttime-only, project deadlines)

What to Look for in a Freight Broker

Not all freight brokers are created equal when it comes to heavy haul. Ask these questions before committing:

• Are they licensed and bonded? A licensed freight broker holds a FMCSA Broker Authority (MC number). Ask for it.
• Do they specialize in heavy haul? A general freight broker who occasionally moves construction equipment is not the same as one who does it daily. Equipment-specific knowledge — knowing a Bauer BG-series from a Soilmec, understanding FDOT corridor constraints — matters when things get complicated.
• Do they include permits and escorts in the quote? Many brokers quote the line-haul only and add permits and escorts later. Ask for an all-in number.
• What's their carrier vetting process? All carriers in a reputable broker's network should be FMCSA-compliant, fully insured, and checked for safety ratings before dispatch.
• Do they have 24/7 availability? Construction doesn't run 9-to-5. A broker who goes dark after hours is a problem when your rig misses a delivery window.

Common Equipment Transport Reference

Here's a quick reference for how common heavy construction equipment typically ships:

Mistakes to Avoid

• Using operating dimensions instead of transport dimensions. A drill rig with the mast raised is 60 feet tall. In transport configuration it may be 14 feet. Always get the collapsed/retracted dimensions.
• Booking the cheapest carrier without vetting. Insurance gaps, unqualified drivers, and equipment that doesn't meet spec can leave you on the hook for damaged loads with no recourse.
• Not confirming site access at origin and destination. A 13-axle truck cannot make a U-turn. Low bridges, soft ground, or narrow gates discovered at delivery can cost days and significant money.
• Waiting too long to book. Permits take time. Superload permits can take weeks. If you have a project deadline, start the freight process 3–4 weeks early for complex moves.
• Not getting permit costs in the quote. Some carriers quote line-haul only. Permits, escorts, and fuel surcharges can add 30–60% to the base rate. Always ask for all-in pricing.
• Skipping the condition documentation. Photograph your equipment before it's loaded. If damage occurs in transit, clear before/after documentation is the only way to enforce a freight claim.
• Assuming the broker handles loading. The shipper is responsible for loading unless otherwise agreed. Confirm who provides the crane or operator if the equipment can't drive onto the trailer.