What's it like transporting heavy equipment?

Ha! Good point, although, the shipper may not know. Once, I took a trencher WAY back in the N.Woods of Wis. Finally found them, the guy says, the old machine has a bad starter. They had some tools, I off loaded the "new" machine, ( which was like the old machine) took the starter out of the new one, put it in the old one, loaded the old one, and replaced the starter on the new one. I thought I did pretty good, but the manager ( who was an axxxxxx) chewed me out for that. I quit shortly after.

 

"Then i cant give you a quote. send a signed blank check."

 

Ritchie Specs is a good site to find out dimensions and weights of machinery.
Never get in a hurry with any piece of machinery- they all will bite!
Measure height every time, remove antennas if need be.
Secure every moving part - loader arms, excavator buckets, etc. Use more than the minimum securement.
As others have said be prepared for machines that don’t run, don’t have brakes, or are stuck. Typical attitude is “It’s over there.”
When unloading/loading make sure you have room in case something gets loose or comes off the trailer.
Patience and common sense are key.
Off-road is the norm. I once travelled 2 hrs on a narrow dirt road to a small turn around spot to load a drill that they had roaded 5 miles to get it to the loading point.

 

How about going over rail crossing with an RGN. Any tips?

 

Here’s close to 50,000 lbs 3 feet off the ground. This is a very top heavy load. You have to know your load and how it’s going to react on different trailers.

 

Chriskc, what's the most you've hauled with that trailer? That seems like a lot for a landoll with the full bed tilt. I assumed those had a lower capacity than the landolls where only the tail dropped, but I could be mistaken. And i can't find a sticker or plate on mine that states the axle capacity.

 

Not all disabilities are physical.

OP has been down this road before. You can find one of his other threads where he talks about it. I doubt he or staff want this one to get bogged down again with people giving him a hard time.

Good luck to ya op. You have the right idea with the research. Best to do your homework, before leaping into the fire. Nowadays that is an option, sure the folks who've doing this awhile would agree. Much easier nowadays to get info on the various areas of trucking.

Not trying to speak for the OP or anything here, I just recall him recently having mentioned it in a previous thread.

Sirscrapntruckalot - You come from dust, you'll return to dust. This is why I don't dust. It could be someone I know. - The internet

 

Yeah i know which thread your talking about and i wasnt one of the ones raggin on him. Im just curious if you could legally pass a physical and obtain a cdl if you collect disability?

 

Here's where the experience comes to play. Some states like Ohio will provide a list of crossings with your permit. Route planning can also help with locations. As you the driver see the oncoming crossing you have to judge it. And if there's any concern stop and raise the ride height of the deck. can just drag the bottom of the trailer over the rails but keep in mind that something catches. It's going to be a sudden stop and something is gonna g

So this is where route planning comes into play. Sometimes you will get lucky and States like Ohio will provide a list of railroad crossings. For me if I am not using a front pilot car. As I approach a railroad crossing I will judge the pitch of the grade on both sides. If it appears to be more than my deck height can handle. I will stop and raise my deck height. Sure it's a inconvenience for other drivers but getting hung up on the railroad tracks can be ugly. Each truck and trailer combinations will have their own way of raising and lowering the deck height. And in some situations you may be able to just drag the deck across the crossing. Always remember to lower your deck height once you clear the railroad crossing. And if you get into a snag there's always a toll free number posted at the railroad crossing or there should be. that number will get you in contact with the railroad who knows the schedule of oncoming trains.