How to Ship Heavy Equipment: A Step-by-Step Guide
Shipping a machine for the first time feels complicated, but it comes down to a handful of steps: know your dimensions, pick the right trailer, handle permits if needed, prep the machine, and book a carrier who does open-deck freight for a living. Here is the whole process.
1. Get your machine's specs
Before anyone can quote your move accurately, you need four numbers: operating weight, length, width, and height in transport position. These come straight off the spec sheet or the data plate. Width and height decide whether the load is legal or oversize, and weight decides the trailer.
2. Match the machine to a trailer
Legal-weight machines under about 13'6" tall ride on flatbeds or step decks. Taller or heavier machines need an RGN (removable gooseneck) or lowboy so they load low enough to stay legal. If you are not sure, a specialist dispatcher will pick the trailer for you from the specs.
3. Handle permits and routing
If the loaded machine exceeds legal weight, width, height, or length, it needs oversize permits in every state it passes through, and some routes require pilot cars. A good carrier arranges permits and plans a legal route around low bridges and weight-restricted roads — you should not have to touch this.
4. Prep the machine for transport
Secure or remove loose attachments, lower and lock booms and blades, disconnect batteries if required, and note any leaks or damage with photos before loading. Clean machines load faster and clear scale checks without hassle.
5. Book direct, not through a bidding war
Posting your load to an online marketplace auctions it to the lowest bidder and hands you whatever carrier wins. Booking direct with an open-deck specialist means one person prices the move, assigns a vetted carrier, and stays on the load until it delivers.
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
How far in advance should I book equipment transport?
A few days of lead time gets you the best carrier options and rates, but specialists can often arrange expedited or same-week pickups when you need to move fast.
What information do I need to get a quote?
The machine make/model (or weight and dimensions), pickup and delivery locations, and your timeframe. That is enough for an accurate direct quote.
Who handles the permits?
Your carrier does. An experienced heavy-haul dispatcher pulls the oversize permits and plans a legal route as part of the service.