How to Properly Transport a Crane!

Transport a Crane

Without cranes, the world as we know it today probably wouldn’t exist. People developed many of today’s infrastructure developments with the help of these powerful machines. But to get them where they are needed you must know how to properly transport a crane.

Cranes are built to lift and carry large loads to be used in the construction of skyscrapers, office buildings, ships, sophisticated houses, and warehouses, among other things. They’re also commonly found in shipyards, mostly used to move shipping containers around. Given the rate of infrastructure development in modern cultures, cranes are frequently seen on construction sites or ongoing building projects.  

However, transporting large machinery such as cranes is no easy task. The size of cranes makes it challenging to transport one to a specific location. Smaller cranes are easier to transport, but things get increasingly complicated with larger cranes. As a result, hauling a crane frequently necessitates meticulous planning to transport it properly.

Below is a guide on how to properly transport a crane. 

1. Understand Project Specifications First 

It’s crucial to fully comprehend the project at hand regarding hauling cranes. Each project has its own set of goals and requirements. Knowing the scope of the job will undoubtedly aid you in planning how to bring a crane on site.

You must plan ahead of time which crane to obtain and how to acquire it. Sometimes, it will require a combination of transport modes to move a crane. For example, a crane may require both crane shipping and haulage services if you’re shipping a crane over long distances. This would require more planning in advance.

Moreover, you need to know the specifications of your desired crane to make the right logistical decisions to safely bring the crane to the project site. Collect all project details and create a budget, calculate project dates, plan pick-up and delivery times, and examine any risks and constraints involved with crane transportation. Knowing all of this ahead of time will assist you in developing a solid plan.  

2. Choose A Reputable Transportation Company 

Cranes are large, expensive machines that must be handled carefully when moving from one location to another. Their large size makes moving them through standard freight vehicles challenging. Yes, smaller cranes can be moved with conventional trucks and may not require the use of escorted convoys.

However, larger cranes will require expertise to transport them safely. So, ideally, you need to look for a company that specializes in transporting heavy-duty vehicles and equipment like Next Exit Logistics or a comparable alternative in your region.

Working with experienced companies guarantees that your crane is handled with care and that it arrives in one piece. Remember that professional teams may have encountered numerous scenarios and hopefully have had to deliver loads with varying degrees of difficulty.

So, there’s a greater probability that such companies will be able to deliver. Furthermore, respectable companies frequently have the technical and human resources necessary to transport special loads such as cranes safely. In addition, they have a greater intent to live up to their word to maintain their reputation. You can trust that they will deliver within project timelines and provide excellent service.  

3. Map Routes In Advance 

Cranes are massive and heavy pieces of machinery. So many things can go wrong while moving such large pieces of equipment if the routes aren’t planned ahead of time. 

You need to map out the safest route beforehand. Take into account all of the potential hurdles and make the required adjustments. You must choose the safest routes with the fewest obstacles, such as bridges, overpasses, and turns. However, there’s a high chance that you may pass through public roads with traffic on your way to the site.

To plan a suitable route and guarantee the crane arrives safely, you might need to coordinate with the authorities beforehand and set up an escort. This step is particularly vital when it comes to moving heavy-duty cranes.  

4. Pick The Right Trailer 

Cranes come in a variety of shapes and sizes. So, to move a crane, you need to have the right trailer to ensure that the crane is transported safely and securely. Moreover, you need the right vehicle with enough power to haul your load. Thankfully, there are a variety of trailers that you can choose from. 

For example, an average trailer should suffice if you’re moving a smaller mobile crane. However, things get more complex when transporting long and heavier cranes. This is when extendable trailers would be required. In some cases, if the crane is too big, it has to be disassembled and then moved in two or more separate loads to the construction site.  

Nevertheless, if you want your crane to arrive intact, you must choose a secure trailer. You certainly don’t want to risk choosing an inappropriate trailer because it could endanger the crane, driver, and hauling vehicle. So, selecting the right trailer ensures minimal complications during transportation.  

5. Acquire The Required Permits 

When transporting heavy equipment, you’ll often need to acquire the requisite permits from the authorities for compliance purposes. Attempting to transport a crane without a permit will get you and the transportation company into serious trouble. Therefore, you must ensure that the necessary permits are obtained to make the transportation process seamless.  

Permits are typically issued based on the size and weight of the item being transported. Nevertheless, you should engage with a transportation company familiar with the permit requirements. Project managers could facilitate that these permits are available. However, it is the moving company’s responsibility to ensure that a crane is only transported once all necessary permissions have been secured.  

Conclusion 

Transporting large and heavy equipment is a massive undertaking. There are a lot of considerations that need to be made. Plus, transporting unique loads, such as cranes, carries enormous risks. Therefore, proper planning is imperative when it comes to transporting cranes.

It would be best if you planned for things like having the right trucks, loading, unloading, routes, and permits. This is no easy feat. That’s why it would be best to partner with reputable moving companies who can help you throughout the entire process.

Their extensive knowledge and years of experience in how to properly transport a crane enable them to provide efficient solutions based on your needs.   

Transport a crane article and permission to publish here provided by Claire Glassman. Originally written for Supply Chain Game Changer and published on September 19, 2022.