A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE TO HAULING SERVICES
Heavy equipment hauling services comprise many elements, each working together to ensure your heavy machinery is hauled safely. This blog discusses key aspects such as best practices, challenges, and optimization.
THE BEST PRACTICES FOR HEAVY EQUIPMENT HAULING
To efficiently haul heavy equipment, there are some practices involved to ensure this:
1. Inspection and Pre-Transport Assessment
An on-site inspection of all the components involved such as roads dimensions, low bridges, and any construction zones is done before the actual hauling takes place. To avoid any unforeseen circumstances, a comprehensive route assessment is conducted. A more advanced technology is mapping software or GPS to help visually plan the route.
Once the route is thoroughly assessed, chances are that your heavy machinery might come under restrictions caused by the weight and height of the equipment involved in transport. The next best practice is to not only acquire permits of the regulatory requirements but also check for any potential restrictions based on unusual weather conditions, etc.
This leads us to our next best practice: Prepare for weather conditions according to the forecast. Seasonal changes that might affect your heavy machinery transport are flooding, snow, or ice.
When hauling heavy machinery, you need to be prepared for the worst. In case of accidents or any unforeseen circumstance, it is best to have checkpoints for resting or stopping in emergencies.
THE CHALLENGES INVOLVED IN HEAVY HAULING
Heavy machinery hauling is a delicate process and has a lot of challenges involved, some of which are discussed below:
- Restrictions: With oversized machinery transport, there are several regulatory compliances they come under, and acquiring these permits can be a hassle.
- Time Management: Challenges which are out of control, such as road construction and traffic, can delay the expected delivery times.
- Load Securing and Optimization: Improper load securing can cause accidents or even the loss of machinery parts. The same goes for load distribution, which, if not done correctly, can lead to instability, which results in accidents.
- Operational Costs: It might be challenging for companies to stick to a cost plan as there are many potential unforeseen issues, such as acquiring special permits, repairs, or covering costs in case of accidents.
IMPORTANCE OF LOAD DISTRIBUTION IN ROUTE PLANNING
An integral part of efficient route planning is optimized load distribution, as load distribution increases efficiency, keeps the operational costs at a minimum, and ensures the equipment sustains no damage during transport. The main reason for swaying or tipping during transport is the centre of gravity not being appropriately maintained. With load optimization, this can be achieved, making the safety of your oversized load transportation guaranteed.
Sometimes, due to uneven weight distribution of the oversized load, the equipment might come under weight restrictions; a simple way to avoid this is to optimize load distributions. A balanced load allows the driver to transport the heavy machinery with ease, making manoeuvring and applying brakes easy. Uneven weight distribution can cause wear and tear due to more pressure applied at one side; if the load is optimized correctly, this can be avoided, which, in turn, also enhances the overall performance of your vehicle.