How to Prepare Heavy Equipment for Transport
A little prep makes loading faster, keeps your machine legal at scale checks, and protects you if there is ever a dispute. Run through this checklist before the truck arrives.
Secure the machine itself
Lower and lock booms, blades, buckets, and masts into transport position. Remove or firmly secure loose attachments — buckets, forks, augers, and grapples ride separately and must be tied down. Retract and lock any hydraulics that could shift in transit.
Fluids, batteries, and fuel
Top off or drain fluids per the machine's requirements, check for leaks, and fix any before pickup. Disconnect or secure batteries if the carrier requests it. A quarter-tank of fuel is usually plenty — full tanks add weight for no reason.
Document the condition
Photograph the machine from all sides before loading, noting existing damage, hours, and any leaks. This protects both you and the carrier and makes any claim straightforward. Keep the keys and any needed manuals accessible for loading.
Ready for an exact number?
Skip the guesswork and the load-board bidding wars. Tell us the machine and the route, and one specialist prices it direct — permits and all.
(208) 495-2260Frequently asked questions
Should equipment be clean before shipping?
Yes — a clean machine loads faster, is easier to inspect for existing damage, and avoids agricultural or dirt-related holdups at inspection points.
How much fuel should be in the tank?
Around a quarter tank. Enough to load and unload under its own power, but not so much that it adds unnecessary weight.