How to Ship a Pile Driver or Hydraulic Hammer: Dimensions, Trailers, and Permits

Types of Pile Driving Equipment and Transport Implications

Pile driving equipment comes in several configurations, each with different transport requirements:

• Hydraulic impact hammers: These are the most common type in modern construction. They consist of a ram, housing, and hydraulic power pack. Smaller units (under 20,000 lbs) can often be shipped on a flatbed or step-deck. Larger units (20,000–80,000 lbs) require a lowboy or RGN.
• Diesel hammers: Diesel hammers range from small units (3,500 lbs) to very large models exceeding 175,000 lbs. Large diesel hammers require multi-axle trailers and superload permits.
• Complete pile driving rigs: A complete rig includes the crane or leader frame, hammer, power pack, and leads. These are almost always disassembled into multiple components for transport, each requiring its own trailer.
• Vibratory hammers: Used for sheet pile and pipe pile installation. These are typically more compact than impact hammers and can often be shipped on a lowboy or step-deck.

Disassembly for Transport

Complete pile driving rigs are rarely shipped as a single unit. The standard disassembly approach includes:

• Crane/base machine: The crane or base machine (often a crawler crane or dedicated pile driver base) is shipped on its own lowboy or RGN trailer. Tracks may need to be removed for very wide machines.
• Leader frame: The leader (the vertical guide structure) is typically 40–80 feet tall in operating position. It must be disassembled into sections for transport, with each section loaded on a flatbed or step-deck.
• Hammer: The hammer is removed from the leader and shipped separately on a flatbed or lowboy, depending on its weight.
• Power pack / hydraulic unit: The hydraulic power pack is typically skid-mounted and can be shipped on a flatbed.
• Leads and accessories: Pile leads, templates, and accessories are bundled and shipped on flatbeds.

Trailer Selection by Component

Permit Requirements

Pile driving equipment moves frequently require multiple permit types:

• Oversize permits: Required when any component exceeds 8.5 feet wide, 13.5–14.5 feet tall (varies by state), or 65–75 feet long
• Overweight permits: Required when GVW exceeds 80,000 lbs; multi-axle trailers needed
• Superload permits: Required in many states for loads exceeding 150,000–200,000 lbs GVW; engineering review and route survey typically required
• Pilot cars: Required for loads over 12 feet wide (one escort) or 16 feet wide (two escorts) in most states

Securement and Safety

Pile driving equipment has irregular shapes and limited tie-down points compared to standard construction equipment. Key securement considerations:

• Identify manufacturer-designated tie-down points before loading — do not chain to hydraulic lines, cylinders, or structural members not designed for tie-down loads
• Use blocking and cribbing to stabilize components that do not have flat bottom surfaces
• Inspect all chains and binders at the 50-mile mark and every 150 miles or 3 hours thereafter
• For very heavy components (over 50,000 lbs), use rated chains with a combined WLL equal to at least 50% of the component weight

Get a Quote for Your Pile Driver Move

IronHaul Logistics has experience coordinating multi-trailer pile driving equipment moves, from single hydraulic hammers to complete rig relocations. We handle disassembly planning, multi-axle trailer selection, superload permits, and pilot car coordination. Call (208) 495-2260, email [email protected], or use our online quote form to get a rate for your pile driver transport.