Moving heavy equipment is a risky process. You must have the right equipment and the right team to make sure the weight is handled properly and without any risks. However, the process is not that easy. You need to have a clear plan for the heavy machinery moving to ensure everyone’s safety. We will give you important tips that will help serve as a moving plan.

Obtain Necessary Permits

The first thing you will need to do when it comes to creating a heavy equipment plan is to obtain the permits. You may be required to apply for a permit so check with the relevant authorities. These are a special type of licenses that allow contractors and companies to move heavy equipment.

The purpose of permits is to ensure everything is according to the rules & regulations. For instance, if heavy equipment needs to be transported through highways or narrow streets, there is going to be a lot of risk for people walking on the street and the vehicles.

Furthermore, if there are any properties in the surrounding area, moving heavy equipment can pose a threat to them as well. Additionally, some types of trucks or trailers may not be allowed on the roads due to their size. Keep in mind that obtaining permits is a necessity.

Ignoring or not following the rules is considered a serious offense. Therefore, before you do anything else, make sure you apply for a permit.

Try To Avoid Oversize Or Overweight Designations

If the equipment to be moved is quite large and heavy, you should try to cut it down so that you do not need a permit in the first place. The bigger and heavier the equipment, the stricter the rules and regulations. You can try disassembling and assembling the equipment to reduce the weight and size.

Transporting equipment in parts is a lot better than moving as complete units. Moreover, if the equipment happens to be overweight, you will need to reduce the weight by removing attachments and tools. Some states require that companies make sure the attachments must be removed to cut the overall dimension of the equipment.

However, when it comes to a wide load designation, there is not much you can do. Although there are a lot of machines that can fit within the regulations. There are also some that will exceed the limit and will require a permit to pass through.

Check The Manufacturer’s Securement Recommendations

Before you load and shift any equipment, you should go through the user manual provided by the manufacturer to see if there are any special recommendations. Some manufacturers only allow transporting or moving their products unless certain conditions are met.

For instance, you may need to properly cover up a machine that is not waterproof. Ignoring the manufacturer’s recommendations is not a choice either as it will void the warranty. In most cases, the manufacturers also share tips and the best way to transport equipment.

This is why you see heavy machines having specific attachment areas so that the industrial rigging MD professionals does not use any other area that might damage the machine. The manufacturer also mentions draining the fluids and covering certain parts that might be at risk. Therefore, following the recommendations are of utmost importance. They are for the safety of the equipment and the people transporting it and also for the security of your investment.

Inspect The Equipment

In addition to going through the manufacturer’s recommendations, you should also inspect the equipment to make sure there aren’t any cracks or leaks that might cause safety concerns. The key is to ensure that the equipment is in good condition and is secured from securement points.

At the same time, it should also be made sure that the tires are inflated and not under pressure, which will make transportation difficult. However, if the equipment to be moved has tracks, you might not be able to operate it on the streets and roads unless you get a permit.

Finally, the equipment you load must be cleaned. This is because debris might fall off during transportation and cause accidents. Large clumps of mud can hit like rocks at high speeds and should be avoided at all costs.

Inspect The Trailer

Inspecting the trailer is as important as inspecting the equipment that needs to be transported. After all, the entire weight will be carried by the trailer and if there is something wrong, it could cause serious accidents. A critical thing to inspect is the anchor points.

The anchor points should not be damaged or cracked. If you observe that the points show any signs of damage, the equipment should not be loaded. Additionally, the trailer needs to be clean as well. Oil and dirt accumulations can make the trailers slippery and the equipment loses traction.

This means if the trailer is covered with ice, snow, or water, you will need to remove and dry it before loading equipment. Plus, the trailer should also be at a level position for the equipment to be loaded and unloaded safely. If the equipment is tilted to one side while being transported, it will put an excess burden on the securement points that might break.

Similarly, the cranes used for lifting and moving the equipment must be properly functional. Choose the right cranes and hire experienced operators. You can also leave these things to the rigging company.

Thoroughly Secure The Equipment

Securing the heavy equipment before being transported is a crucial aspect of the transportation process. The best way to do that is by making a checklist and double-checking the manufacturer’s recommendations and state regulations.

Furthermore, if the destination is relatively difficult to access, you will need to contact the relevant authorities to remove any obstacles or hurdles that might make the process risky. If you are moving multiple pieces of equipment at the same time, make sure you secure them using chains.

Belts or other similar options may be secure as well but might not be able to withstand the pressure and load. Plus, use friction devices, edge protection, etc. to keep things from contacting and damaging each other.

Plan For Unloading

The last thing you would want is to reach the destination and figure out how to unload the equipment at the last minute. For a smooth and safe process, you need to plan for unloading. It might seem like a waste of time but can do wonders. This is because unloading heavy equipment is a task on its own as well.

There is a huge risk of accidents taking place and you do not want to take your chances. Make sure the trailer is safely parked on a level and dry surface and the same goes for the equipment as well. If there is oil or any other type of residue, you should thoroughly remove it to keep the process as secure as possible.

Conclusion

Creating a heavy equipment moving plan saves you from all types of troubles and complications. The main goal is to ensure that the rules are followed and the equipment is secure. So, you must hire rigging services DC who have experts and the required tools for moving your heavy equipment without damage. This goes a long way in terms of ensuring everyone and everything involved in the process is transported safely.