How to Ship Equipment from a Ritchie Bros. Auction: A Buyer's Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Research Shipping Costs Before You Bid

This is the step most buyers skip — and the one that costs them the most money. Shipping a piece of heavy equipment can cost anywhere from $500 for a small skid steer on a short haul to $15,000+ for a large crane across the country. If you don't know the shipping cost before you bid, you don't know your true acquisition cost.

To get a pre-bid shipping estimate, you need: the equipment make, model, and year (to look up dimensions and weight), the Ritchie Bros. yard location (the pickup origin), and your delivery address. With those three pieces of information, IronHaul can provide a shipping estimate within hours — often within the same business day. Factor that cost into your maximum bid before the auction opens.

Step 2: Win the Auction and Pay Immediately

Ritchie Bros. requires full payment before equipment is released to a carrier. Payment methods vary by auction type (online vs. in-person) but typically include wire transfer, credit card, or financing through Ritchie Bros. Financial Services. Once payment is confirmed, you'll receive a receipt and the equipment will be marked as paid in the yard system. Do not contact the carrier to schedule pickup until payment is confirmed — the yard will not release the equipment without it.

Step 3: Book Your Carrier Immediately After Winning

Don't wait. Ritchie Bros. yards have free storage periods that typically run 5–10 business days after the auction closes. After that, daily storage fees apply — and they add up fast for large equipment. Book your carrier within 24 hours of winning and paying. When you contact IronHaul, have ready:

• Equipment make, model, year, and lot number
• Ritchie Bros. yard name and address
• Your delivery address and any access restrictions
• Whether the machine is running or non-running
• Any attachments shipping with the machine

Step 4: Confirm Load-Out Details with the Yard

Your carrier will contact the Ritchie Bros. yard to schedule a load-out appointment. Most yards operate Monday–Friday, 8 AM–4 PM for equipment releases. The carrier needs to know the yard's specific load-out hours, whether an appointment is required (most yards require advance scheduling), and any special instructions for the specific equipment (e.g., if the machine needs to be moved from a back lot to the loading area). IronHaul handles all yard coordination directly — you don't need to manage this yourself.

Step 5: Permit Procurement and Route Planning

Most heavy equipment requires oversize or overweight permits for transport. Your carrier is responsible for obtaining all required permits before dispatch. The permit process involves:

• Verifying the equipment's exact transport dimensions and weight (using manufacturer specs or VeriTread/RitchieSpecs data)
• Planning the route to avoid low bridges, weight-posted roads, and restricted zones
• Applying for permits in each state the load will travel through
• Scheduling escort vehicles if required by the load dimensions

Standard permits take 1–3 business days in most states. Superloads (very wide or heavy equipment) can take 10–21 days. If you're buying a large crane or other superload-class equipment, start the permit process immediately after winning — don't wait until the free storage period is almost up.

Step 6: The Load-Out Day

On load-out day, the carrier arrives at the Ritchie Bros. yard with the appropriate trailer and a bill of lading. The yard staff verifies the bill of lading and releases the equipment. The carrier then loads the machine using the yard's loading ramp or, for non-running equipment, a crane or forklift. The machine is secured with chains and straps at the manufacturer-designated tie-down points, and the carrier departs.

If you're not present at load-out (most buyers aren't), ask your carrier to send photos of the loaded machine before departure. This documents the machine's condition at pickup and is useful if any damage claims arise during transport.

Step 7: Transit and Delivery

Transit times vary by distance and permit complexity. A 500-mile move typically takes 1–2 transit days; a 2,000-mile cross-country move may take 4–7 days. Your carrier should provide a tracking update or estimated delivery window. At delivery, inspect the equipment carefully before signing the delivery receipt. Note any damage on the delivery receipt before the carrier leaves — damage noted after the carrier departs is much harder to claim.

Common Mistakes Ritchie Bros. Buyers Make

• Not getting a shipping quote before bidding: Results in overpaying for equipment when total acquisition cost (purchase + shipping) is calculated
• Waiting too long to book transport: Storage fees at Ritchie Bros. yards can be $50–$200/day for large equipment; booking immediately after winning saves money
• Not confirming machine condition: Non-running machines require crane loading and cost more to transport; verify condition before booking
• Ignoring delivery access restrictions: Low bridges, narrow roads, and weight-posted roads at the delivery site can prevent delivery; confirm access before booking
• Not inspecting at delivery: Damage must be noted on the delivery receipt before the carrier leaves; post-delivery damage claims are difficult to pursue

IronHaul Logistics handles Ritchie Bros. auction pickups nationwide. We know the yards, the load-out procedures, and the permit requirements for every state. Call (208) 495-2260, email [email protected], or request a free quote online — ideally before you place your winning bid so you know your true acquisition cost.