Tips for Shipping Equipment in Snow

Winter is here and naturally, snow and ice follow, making it difficult for many people to continue work as before. While it is not that difficult to ship equipment in the snow, you still need to be extra careful and make sure that you have the proper means of transportation and appropriate expertise to be able to carry out this task successfully. While hauling heavy loads during snowstorms it is important to ensure adherence to the applicable rules and regulations. A lot of different complexities arise during snowstorms such as bad road conditions and reduced visibility so you need patience and experience to be successful. The following are a few tips to help you when you are transporting heavy equipment in snow.

Make Sure to Acquire Proper Permits

Not all states experience the same amount of snow. Generally, states like New York, Wyoming, West Virginia, and Maine tend to have the snowiest winters. That is why the laws that govern heavy equipment transportation during snowstorms vary from state to state. You need to ensure that you have acquired all the proper documentation and permits especially when you are hauling equipment across state lines. States that have frost laws in place usually have speed and weight load restrictions that you need to comply with.

Install Winter Tires 

If you are going to be shipping equipment in snow you should install the right tires for the job. Whether you are transporting a Cat 140M motor grader or an excavator, it is important to take all necessary safety measures.

Winter tires or snow tires are made specifically to provide extra traction on ice with their wide gap tread design. There are also some states where you will need to install tire chains or tire socks to be able to haul equipment in snow.

Follow the Road Safety Rules and Regulations 

If you are driving during a snowstorm you need to be more alert and careful. Driving in snow is more challenging due to the reduced visibility and if frost from your roof falls, it can cause problems for other vehicles on the road as well. Make sure to observe the road safety rules and regulations in place and maintain a certain distance from other vehicles so there is enough room for maneuvering.

Make Sure the Equipment is Secure

It is important to tie the equipment down using straps that are sturdy. This way your machine would not shift while it is being transported during a snowstorm. It is really important to ensure the security of your equipment especially if you are transporting heavy and fragile machinery. If you are moving more than one piece of equipment you need to cover each item individually with a large tarp. This will ensure that if one machine gets dirty or wet during transportation only that particular piece of equipment will need cleaning.

You can also ensure the security of your equipment by using a high bed truck for transportation. Usually, snow can accumulate pretty fast on the bed of average pickup trucks resulting in issues when you are turning corners in areas that do not have the clearance for snow removal equipment. Vehicles with higher clearance will have enough room between the bottom edge of the bed and any snow build up that can be caused by the current weather conditions. This way the equipment you are transporting will be safe throughout the journey.

Hire Professionals to Ship your Equipment 

If you are a heavy machinery owner your priority is most likely to ensure that your equipment is shipped safely. If you hire professionals, you will be able to get access to experienced and trained professionals who will use the proper equipment for the job.  Usually, drivers working for a professional hauling company are trained properly to deal with such harsh weather conditions. They will be able to ensure that your cargo is shipped safely and securely despite the bad weather conditions. Usually, hauling companies are also insured, so, in case of an accident you will not have to bear the damage either.