Heavy equipment takes plenty of work to assemble, operate and transport. There are several steps involved in each process. Here are three facts about hauling heavy equipment.
1. Operator Requirements
While you don’t necessarily need a degree for a job in heavy equipment hauling, it’s a good idea to get as much experience as you can and look into what certifications are available to you. Operators and haulers need to be able to move and operate equipment safely, as well as understand how to secure equipment that is being transported. You should check whether your state has licensing requirements to operate specialized equipment, such as articulated cranes. There may also be training courses or testing options available for you to ensure your skills are honed.
2. Hauler Specialties
There are some skills every heavy equipment hauler has in common, such as long-distance and short-distance transportation, collaboration and communication skills, site and equipment safety training and protective packing. Knowledge of these is essential across the industry to ensure equipment is delivered intact to the correct destination. Many hauling companies also specialize in certain types of equipment hauling. There are companies that specialize in transporting fragile equipment and items, such as pianos. Some hauling companies may focus on transporting construction equipment or aviation vehicles, while others may instead transport military equipment, which requires much stricter security.
3. Transportation Methods
Several transportation options exist for hauling heavy machinery. The method you choose depends on the kind of equipment you need to transport, where you need to send it and how quickly it needs to get to its destination. Aviation is generally the fastest option, but there are much stricter limits on the size and weight of the cargo you can transport by air. Water tends to be slower, but much more capable of handling large or heavy loads. Ground transportation by rail or truck is by far the most common type of transport.
You need to be certain of what you’re doing when working with heavy equipment, no matter what you’re doing with the equipment. Working with machinery like this without proper training and knowledge can be dangerous.