If you are a farmer or agricultural business, chances are you occasionally need to transport large farm machinery like tractors, harvesters, and balers. Moving this heavy and oversized farm equipment requires specialized trucks, trailers, and experienced farm equipment movers. Standard semi trucks often can’t handle the job and require carriers who regularly transport agricultural machinery. This post outlines vital tips for selecting the right specialized truckers to transport your farming implements safely and successfully. We’ll cover checking their experience hauling farm equipment, inspecting their specialized equipment, reviewing insurance and references, assessing their drivers, negotiating rates, and more. Following these tips will help ensure your machinery reaches its destination damage-free.
Check Their Specialty And Experience
The first step is confirming potential carriers specialize in transporting agricultural machinery. Ask if they primarily transport farm equipment or focus on other types of freight as well. Reputable farm equipment movers should eagerly tell you about the types of agricultural machinery they have hauled in the past like combines, hay balers, manure spreaders, cotton pickers, and potato harvesters. They should also be able to share how much experience they have moving equipment similar to yours, be it tractors, hay rakes, or grain drills. Carriers who regularly haul balers combines and other farm machinery will likely have more knowledge and proper tie-down techniques compared to general logistics companies. Focus on carriers with a proven track record hauling the same models of equipment you need to be transported to minimize risks of mishandling your valuable machinery.
Confirm They Have The Proper Equipment
Only step deck trucking companies with the appropriate trailers and tools can do the job right when transporting farm equipment. Since agricultural machinery tends to be enormous and bulky, special extendable, step deck and lowboy flatbed trailers are required that can support the weight and fit the height of your equipment. Confirm that potential carriers have access to the specific type of trailer suited for your move, like an extendable step deck trailer to accommodate a combine with an extra-high clearance. Reputable farm equipment movers should also operate heavy-duty hydraulic ramps – not standard ones – that can support loading and unloading heavy tractors and harvesters. Furthermore, ensure they have heavy-duty tie-downs, chains, straps, and binders that are strong enough to secure your machinery during transit. Winches may also be necessary to assist with hauling and tying down especially bulky or heavy farm equipment. As long as the potential carrier is equipped with the appropriate trailers, hydraulic ramps, winches, and load securement hardware, you will reduce the risk of equipment damage during transportation.
Ask For References From Past Clients
One of the best ways to evaluate the reliability of potential farm equipment haulers is by checking their references. Ask the carriers for contact information of 2-3 previous customers who transported similar machinery. Then call those references to determine if their farm equipment was hauled safely and without sustaining damage. Find out if the carrier’s drivers arrived on time, professionally unloaded and reloaded the machinery, and knew how to tie down the type of farm equipment appropriately transported. The references can also share if the flatbed haulers and their staff were responsive, easy to work with, and quickly addressed any issues during the move.
Inspect Their Trucks And Drivers
Do an in-person inspection of potential carriers’ trucks and equipment before hiring them. Check for overall cleanliness and signs of wear and tear, focusing especially on the condition of trailers, ramps, and tie-downs that will be used. Meet the drivers assigned to haul your machinery and confirm they have proper commercial driver’s licenses for operating heavy equipment. Make sure the drivers appear trained, knowledgeable, and able to safely load and secure your farm machinery. A visual inspection and meeting the drivers who will be hauling your equipment can give you peace of mind before entrusting them with your valuable farm machinery.
Negotiate Rates And Agree On Details
For best results, get rate quotes from several farm equipment haulers then negotiate with the carrier you prefer. In addition to the lowest price, negotiate terms that are important to you such as estimated transit time, insurance coverage, pre-trip inspection, and any assisting services included. Have the carrier provide you with a written rate estimate that documents all fees, rates, and terms agreed upon. Confirm specifics like pickup and delivery addresses and dates, equipment to be moved, required permits, and any load limitations. A final review of all details in the written rate estimate can help ensure the smooth transport of your farm machinery with the selected flatbed trucking company and avoid miscommunications that cause delays, damages, and billing disputes.
In summary, carefully check potential RGN trucking companies by checking their specialty hauling farm equipment, equipment and insurance, references, drivers, and rates. Take time to thoroughly inspect their trucks and confirm details in writing before hiring them. Only entrust your valuable farming machinery to licensed, reputable carriers to ensure a safe and damage-free transport experience. Following these steps will help you find the right specialized farm equipment hauler for the job.