Ritchie Bros. Auction Buyer's Guide to Equipment Shipping
Winning a piece of equipment at Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers is just the beginning — getting it from the auction yard to your job site, dealer lot, or export port is where the real logistics work begins. Ritchie Bros. does not provide transportation; buyers are responsible for arranging their own pickup and delivery. This guide walks through everything a Ritchie Bros. buyer needs to know about shipping their purchase, from getting a quote before you bid to coordinating load-out at the auction yard.
The Golden Rule: Get a Shipping Quote Before You Bid
The most common and costly mistake Ritchie Bros. buyers make is winning equipment without knowing the shipping cost. A $15,000 excavator that costs $8,000 to transport is a very different deal than one that costs $2,500. Shipping costs vary dramatically based on equipment size, weight, distance, permit requirements, and trailer availability. Always get a shipping estimate before placing your maximum bid — IronHaul can provide a quote within hours based on the equipment's make, model, and the auction yard location.
What Information You Need to Get a Shipping Quote
To get an accurate shipping quote for a Ritchie Bros. purchase, you'll need:
- Equipment make, model, and year: Used to look up transport dimensions and weight
- Auction yard location: Ritchie Bros. has yards across the US and Canada; the pickup location determines the origin of the move
- Delivery address: Full address including any access restrictions (low bridges, narrow roads, weight-posted roads)
- Lot number: Helps the carrier coordinate with the auction yard for load-out scheduling
- Attachments: Any buckets, booms, forks, or other attachments that will ship with the machine
- Machine condition: Running or non-running; non-running machines may require crane loading and cost more to transport
How Ritchie Bros. Handles Transportation
Ritchie Bros. partners with VeriTread as its primary transportation marketplace, where buyers can post their freight and receive bids from vetted carriers. VeriTread offers two service models: a self-serve marketplace where you manage the process, and VeriTread Exchange, a full-service brokerage. uShip is another platform Ritchie Bros. has partnered with since 2008. However, buyers are not required to use these platforms — you can work directly with a heavy-haul carrier like IronHaul Logistics for a more personalized, full-service experience.
Load-Out Procedures at Ritchie Bros. Yards
Once you've paid for your equipment and arranged transport, the carrier must coordinate load-out with the Ritchie Bros. yard. Key load-out facts:
- Payment first: Equipment will not be released until full payment is received by Ritchie Bros.
- Bill of lading: The carrier must present a valid bill of lading at the yard gate before the equipment is released
- Load-out hours: Most Ritchie Bros. yards have specific load-out hours (typically Monday–Friday, 8 AM–4 PM); confirm with the specific yard before scheduling
- Pickup deadline: Ritchie Bros. charges storage fees after a specified number of days post-auction; confirm the free storage period and schedule pickup accordingly
- Yard access: Carriers must have a valid USDOT number and insurance certificate on file; some yards require advance appointment scheduling
Permit Requirements for Ritchie Bros. Auction Pickups
Most heavy equipment purchased at Ritchie Bros. requires oversize or overweight permits for transport. The permit requirements depend on the equipment's dimensions and weight, the states the load will travel through, and the trailer type used. Key permit thresholds:
- Width over 8'6": Oversize permit required in all states
- Height over 13'6" (combined machine + trailer): Oversize permit required in most states
- GVW over 80,000 lbs: Overweight permit required
- Superloads: Equipment over 14' wide, 14'6" high, or 120,000+ lbs GVW requires superload permits with extended lead times of 10–21 days depending on the state
IronHaul handles all permit procurement as part of our transport service. We research the specific equipment dimensions, plan the route, and obtain all required state permits before dispatch.
Common Equipment Categories at Ritchie Bros. and Transport Notes
| Equipment Type | Typical Weight | Trailer Type | Permit Likely? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mini excavator (1–6 ton) | 4,000–13,000 lbs | Flatbed or step deck | Sometimes (height) |
| Mid-size excavator (20–35 ton) | 44,000–77,000 lbs | RGN lowboy | Yes |
| Wheel loader (medium) | 30,000–55,000 lbs | RGN or step deck | Yes |
| Crawler dozer (D6–D8) | 40,000–80,000 lbs | RGN lowboy | Yes |
| Skid steer / CTL | 7,000–12,000 lbs | Flatbed (multi-unit) | Usually no |
| Motor grader | 28,000–45,000 lbs | RGN lowboy | Yes |
| Crane (mobile) | 80,000–200,000 lbs | Multi-axle RGN | Yes (superload) |
Avoiding Storage Fees: Timing Your Pickup
Ritchie Bros. typically allows a limited number of free storage days after the auction closes (often 5–10 business days depending on the yard and auction type). After the free period, daily storage fees apply and can add up quickly for large equipment. To avoid storage fees: get your shipping quote before the auction ends, book transport immediately after winning, and confirm the carrier's pickup appointment with the yard within 24–48 hours of payment.
IronHaul Logistics specializes in Ritchie Bros. auction pickups nationwide. We know the load-out procedures, coordinate directly with yard staff, and handle all permits and logistics from pickup to delivery. Call (208) 495-2260, email [email protected], or request a free quote online — ideally before you place your winning bid.
Common questions
Does Ritchie Bros. provide transportation for equipment I buy at auction?
No. Ritchie Bros. does not provide transportation. Buyers are responsible for arranging their own pickup and delivery. Ritchie Bros. partners with VeriTread and uShip as transportation marketplaces, but buyers can also work directly with a carrier like IronHaul Logistics.
How long do I have to pick up equipment from a Ritchie Bros. yard?
Ritchie Bros. typically allows 5–10 business days of free storage after the auction closes, depending on the yard and auction type. After the free period, daily storage fees apply. Confirm the specific free storage period with the yard and schedule pickup promptly to avoid fees.
What documents does the carrier need to pick up my equipment from Ritchie Bros.?
The carrier must present a valid bill of lading at the yard gate before equipment is released. The carrier must also have a valid USDOT number and insurance certificate. Some yards require advance appointment scheduling. IronHaul handles all documentation and yard coordination as part of our service.
How do I get a shipping quote for a Ritchie Bros. purchase?
Contact IronHaul with the equipment make, model, year, auction yard location, delivery address, lot number, and any attachments. We'll provide a quote within hours. We recommend getting a quote before you bid so you know the total acquisition cost.
Can IronHaul ship equipment from any Ritchie Bros. yard in the US?
Yes. IronHaul handles pickups from Ritchie Bros. yards nationwide, including major locations in Texas, California, Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and other states. We coordinate directly with yard staff for load-out scheduling and handle all permits for the transport route.
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