How to Ship a Concrete Batch Plant: Transport & Permit Guide

Types of Concrete Batch Plants and Their Transport Requirements

Concrete batch plants range from small portable units that can be towed by a pickup truck to large stationary facilities that require weeks of disassembly and dozens of truckloads to relocate. Understanding your plant type determines the transport approach:

• Portable/Mobile Batch Plants: Small portable plants (such as the Fast-Way mobile aggregate batch plant) have travel dimensions of approximately 26'6" long x 8'6" wide x 8'7" tall and weigh approximately 7,000–15,000 lbs. These can typically be towed by a 3/4-ton pickup or moved on a standard flatbed trailer without oversize permits.
• Trailer-Mounted Plants (50–100 CY/hr): Mid-range trailer-mounted plants weigh 30,000–80,000 lbs and have dimensions that typically require step deck or lowboy trailers. Width often exceeds 8.5 ft, requiring oversize permits. These plants can often be moved in 2–4 loads.
• Modular/Stationary Plants (100+ CY/hr): Large modular plants must be disassembled into individual components — aggregate bins, cement silos, mixer units, conveyors, and control rooms — each requiring its own trailer. A full plant relocation may involve 10–30+ truckloads and require crane assistance for loading and unloading.

Trailer Selection for Batch Plant Components

Different components of a concrete batch plant require different trailer configurations:

• Flatbed (48–53 ft): Used for control rooms, conveyor sections, and smaller components within legal dimensions. Capacity up to 48,000 lbs.
• Step Deck: Used for taller components (aggregate bins, mixer units) that exceed flatbed height limits. Provides 18–24 inches of additional vertical clearance.
• Lowboy: Required for the heaviest and tallest components. Standard lowboys carry 40,000–80,000 lbs with deck heights of 18–24 inches.
• Multi-Axle Heavy Haul Trailer: Required for cement silos and other components exceeding 80,000 lbs. Additional axles distribute weight to comply with bridge formula requirements.
• RGN (Removable Gooseneck): Used for very heavy components that need to be driven or rolled onto the trailer. The detachable neck allows crane-free loading for some configurations.

Permit Requirements for Batch Plant Transport

Most batch plant components exceed standard legal dimensions and require oversize/overweight permits in every state traversed. Key thresholds:

• Width over 8.5 ft: oversize permit required in every state
• Height over 13.5 ft: oversize permit required; some components may require disassembly to meet height limits
• GVW over 80,000 lbs: overweight permit required in every state
• Cement silos often exceed 14 ft in width and require pilot cars in most states
• Some components may require law enforcement escorts for extreme dimensions

Permit processing typically takes 1–5 business days depending on load dimensions and state requirements. For multi-load plant relocations, all permits should be coordinated simultaneously to ensure loads can move in the correct sequence.

Crane Coordination and Site Logistics

Large batch plant components require crane assistance for loading at origin and unloading at the destination. Critical coordination points:

• Crane availability: Confirm crane availability at both origin and destination before scheduling transport. Crane scheduling conflicts are the most common cause of delays in batch plant relocations.
• Delivery sequencing: Components must arrive in the correct assembly sequence. The foundation and support structure must be in place before aggregate bins and silos can be set. Work with the site contractor to establish the delivery sequence before transport begins.
• Detention fees: If a crane is not available when a load arrives, detention fees of $75–$150 per hour apply. Coordinate crane and truck arrival times carefully.
• Site access: Confirm that the delivery site can accommodate the trailer dimensions and turning radius required for each load. Some sites require temporary road improvements for heavy haul access.

Cost Factors for Batch Plant Relocation

Concrete batch plant relocation costs vary enormously based on plant size and move distance. Typical ranges:

• Portable plant (single load, under 500 miles): $1,500–$4,000
• Trailer-mounted plant (2–4 loads, 500–1,000 miles): $8,000–$25,000
• Large modular plant (10–30+ loads, cross-country): $50,000–$200,000+
• Permit costs: $200–$2,000 per load depending on dimensions and states crossed
• Crane costs: $1,500–$8,000 per day depending on crane size and location

Get a Quote for Concrete Batch Plant Shipping

IronHaul Logistics coordinates concrete batch plant relocations of all sizes, from single-load portable plants to full modular facility moves. Our team manages permit coordination, crane scheduling, and delivery sequencing to keep your project on schedule. Request a free quote online, call (208) 495-2260, or email [email protected] with your plant type, component list, and origin/destination locations.