IronPlanet Auction Equipment Shipping: What Buyers Need to Know

The 8-Day Pickup Deadline: What It Means for Transport Planning

IronPlanet's buyer terms require all purchased equipment to be removed from the seller's premises within 8 business days of the auction closing. This is a hard deadline — failure to remove equipment within 8 days allows the seller to begin charging daily storage fees, which typically range from $50 to $150 per day depending on the yard location. Equipment left for more than 60 days may be deemed abandoned.

For transport planning, this means you need to book your carrier immediately after winning a bid — not after the auction closes. Here's a realistic timeline:

• Day 0 (auction closes): Contact your carrier and provide machine details (make, model, dimensions, weight, location)
• Days 1–2: Carrier processes oversize permits (if required) and schedules the truck
• Days 2–5: Truck dispatched; transit time varies by distance
• Days 5–8: Equipment delivered to your location

For long-distance moves (over 1,000 miles) or complex loads requiring multiple permits, contact your carrier the same day you win the bid.

Getting the Machine's Dimensions and Weight

IronPlanet provides detailed inspection reports (IronClad Assurance) for most machines, including make, model, serial number, and condition. However, transport dimensions (stowed length, width, height) and operating weight are not always included in the listing. To get accurate transport dimensions:

• Use the machine's serial number to look up the manufacturer's spec sheet
• Contact the seller directly (seller contact information is provided after full payment is processed via the "Transportation Authorization" link on the Post Sale Info page)
• Provide the make, model, and serial number to your carrier — experienced heavy haul carriers maintain dimension databases for common equipment

Seller Contact and Loading Coordination

IronPlanet does not require sellers to load equipment into containers or dismantle machinery for transport. Buyers must arrange loading independently. When you contact the seller:

• Confirm the yard's operating hours and whether advance scheduling is required
• Ask whether a forklift or crane is available on-site for loading non-running machines
• Confirm the ground conditions at the pickup site (paved, gravel, soft ground) — this affects trailer selection
• Ask about any site-specific requirements (safety orientation, PPE, gate codes)
• Confirm the machine's operational status — can it be driven onto the trailer, or does it need to be winched?

Trailer Selection for IronPlanet Purchases

The right trailer depends on the machine you purchased. Common IronPlanet equipment categories and their typical transport requirements:

Equipment Type	Typical Trailer	Permit Likely?
Excavators (10–40 ton)	Lowboy / RGN	Yes — track width exceeds 8.5 ft
Dozers (D4–D8)	Lowboy	Yes — blade width often exceeds 8.5 ft
Wheel loaders (small–mid)	Lowboy or step deck	Sometimes — verify bucket width
Skid steers / compact track loaders	Step deck or flatbed	Rarely — usually within legal dimensions
Forklifts (warehouse)	Flatbed or step deck	Rarely — verify mast height
Aerial lifts (boom/scissor)	Step deck or flatbed	Sometimes — verify stowed width
Motor graders	RGN	Yes — blade width exceeds 8.5 ft
Cranes (all-terrain)	Multi-axle lowboy	Yes — multiple permits required

Cost Factors for IronPlanet Auction Transport

Transport costs for IronPlanet purchases depend on several factors:

• Distance: Per-mile rates typically range from $2.50 to $6.00 for heavy haul moves, depending on load complexity
• Permit requirements: Oversize permits add $50–$500+ depending on load class and number of states crossed
• Escort vehicles: $3–$6 per mile per escort for loads requiring pilot cars
• Non-running machines: Winch-equipped trailers or crane assistance add $200–$800 to the base transport cost
• Remote pickup locations: Seller yards in rural areas may add deadhead mileage costs
• Urgency: Expedited moves to meet the 8-day deadline may carry a premium

Export Purchases: Additional Considerations

If you're purchasing IronPlanet equipment for export, you'll need to coordinate domestic transport to a port terminal in addition to the ocean freight. IronPlanet requires buyers to submit a domestic Bill of Lading and export documentation (including the US port of export) within specific timeframes to qualify for sales tax exemptions on exported items. IronHaul Logistics can coordinate domestic transport to any major US port for export buyers.

Just won a bid on IronPlanet? Contact IronHaul Logistics immediately to start the transport process and meet your 8-day pickup deadline. Call (208) 495-2260, email [email protected], or submit a quote request online with the machine's make, model, and pickup location.