Material Handler Transport Guide: How to Ship a Material Handler or Scrap Handler

What Is a Material Handler?

A material handler is a specialized excavator-based machine designed for continuous, high-cycle lifting operations. Unlike standard excavators with curved booms, material handlers feature straight booms and droop-nose arms optimized for grapple work. They are commonly used in scrap metal yards, recycling facilities, ports, and timber operations. Major manufacturers include SENNEBOGEN, Caterpillar, Liebherr, Volvo, Develon (formerly Doosan), and Link-Belt.

Typical Dimensions and Weights

Machine Class	Operating Weight	Transport Width	Transport Height (cab down)	Reach
Compact (15–25 ton)	33,000–55,000 lbs	9–10 ft	10–11 ft	30–45 ft
Mid-Size (30–50 ton)	66,000–110,000 lbs	10–12 ft	11–13 ft	45–60 ft
Large (60–100+ ton)	132,000–220,000+ lbs	12–14 ft	12–14 ft	55–70+ ft

Note: Transport height assumes cab riser is tilted or removed. Always verify specs for your specific model and configuration.

The Cab Riser: The Critical Transport Challenge

The most distinctive feature of a material handler is its elevated cab, which gives the operator a high vantage point for seeing into containers, railcars, and trucks. Cab risers typically add 4–6.5 feet to the machine's overall height. Before transport, the cab riser must be addressed:

• Tiltable risers: Most modern material handlers have cab risers designed to tilt manually to a transport position, reducing height by 3–5 feet. This is the most common solution and typically takes 30–60 minutes.
• Removable risers: Some older or larger machines require the riser to be fully removed and transported separately. This adds labor time and a separate load.
• Fixed risers: A small number of machines have fixed risers that cannot be tilted or removed, requiring special routing to avoid low bridges and overhead obstacles.

Boom and Attachment Removal

In addition to the cab riser, material handler transports often require:

• Boom removal: The straight boom and arm assembly may need to be removed for transport, particularly on larger machines. Boom sections are transported on separate flatbed trailers.
• Grapple/magnet removal: Attachments are always removed and transported separately or shipped with the machine if dimensions allow.
• Counterweight removal: Heavy counterweights may be removed to reduce axle weights on large machines.

Trailer Selection

• RGN (Removable Gooseneck): Preferred for material handlers; allows drive-on loading and provides the lowest deck height for height-sensitive loads
• Lowboy / Double Drop: Alternative to RGN; deck height of 18–24 inches
• Multi-axle configurations: Heavy material handlers (100,000+ lbs) require multi-axle trailers to distribute weight within legal axle limits

Permit Requirements

Material handler transports almost always require oversize/overweight permits. Most machines exceed at least two federal thresholds:

• GVW over 80,000 lbs — most mid-size and large material handlers exceed this
• Width over 8.5 ft — most material handlers exceed this in transport configuration
• Height over 13.5 ft — machines with fixed or partially tilted risers may exceed this

Loads over 14 ft wide require two pilot cars in most states. Very heavy machines (over 150,000 lbs) may qualify as superloads requiring engineering route surveys.

Loading and Unloading Considerations

• Confirm the cab riser is fully tilted or removed before loading — this is the most common oversight
• Ensure the loading area is level and firm enough to support the machine's weight
• Hydraulic lines for the cab riser must be properly capped if the riser is removed
• Track shoes should be inspected for sharp edges that could damage trailer decking
• Verify all fluid levels before loading; material handlers often have large hydraulic reservoirs

Get a Quote from IronHaul Logistics

IronHaul Logistics has experience shipping material handlers and scrap handlers for scrap yards, recycling facilities, and port operators. We coordinate cab riser logistics, multi-trailer moves, and multi-state permit procurement. Call us at (208) 495-2260, email [email protected], or fill out our online quote form to get started.