Question regarding escorts and super loads

Picking up a 78k machine Monday morning in SC, its going to Houston Tx. Trying to do some homework before I get loaded so I know whats legal and whats not.

Not 100% on weight yet,.. but according to booking sheet, I'll be somewhere between 138 - 140k gross, hopefully on just 7 axles.

Trying to understand if thats considered a super load in SC. And if all loads over 130k gross need escort, or just over 12' ?

Machine is a Komatsu WA 500-7. No bucket. Specs say machine is only 11' wide,.. so should be well under 12'.

No permits yet,.. so I dont know how I will be routed. Guessing I'll be routed to 20wb and possibly to i10 at some point or stay on 20 all the way into Tx. Some of the routes these permits have had me on, had questioning their sanity.

I'm going to look up Ga, Al, Ms and La now.

Hurst

 

I've never run a 500,.. so out of my element a bit. Not sure I've ever even seen one. When I was doing roadwork in Fla we used the 380 and 420. Loader did everything,.. they never sent in a grader. I did all of the subgrade with the loader,.. rough grade to finish grade, all of it right up until the pavers showed up.

I was reading up on the 500's,.. and seems there is a difference in weight between the 500-6 and the 500-7. I'm grabbing the -7.

I think you are right on the weight. Says operating capacity is 75 - 76k. I'm assuming thats with the bucket. Booking sheet says the machine I'm getting is 78k with out the bucket. Hopefully they have a scale at the plant I can get on.

I'd rather err on the safe side,.. I dont want to leave the plant with out an escort if I end up being over 130k and if SC says thats a super load. I'm reading SC permit website and not clear on what maximum weight is before I need an escort.

Only other state that I think I will need an escort is in Alabama. Ga, MS, La and Tx seem to be fine between 150 - 200k. I wont be anywhere near 150k this time.

Hurst

 

Thank you,.. thank you!!!,.. I was afraid of that.

Welp,. I might not be leaving SC right away.

Let me ask you,.. with out the proper permit and escorts,.. I would have to drop the trailer at the plant. I would not be allowed to travel on any public streets,.. say to a truck stop with that load would I?

Hopefully I scale under 130k with that thing. I'll make sure I'm under 1/2 tank fuel just in case its close. I'm still in Tn atm,.. 1/4 fuel right now.

Hurst

 

Thats not too bad. Was hoping to avoid that long bridge after Baton Rogue,.. not the end of the world.

Hurst